Group 1 winning jockey Hector Crouch has rides in both of this weekend’s classics this weekend ahead of the Epsom Derby Festival 2026, read his exclusive thoughts ahead of two massive days of flat action.
Hector Crouch: Epsom Derby Festival 2026
It’s been a good week with Folk Pageant landing the lucky last at Chester on Saturday, and winners with my only rides at Pontefract (Alma Latina) and Gone By and Ziggy’s Avenger scoring at Ripon on Wednesday.
Epsom Derby Festival 2026: Friday
Epsom is a bit of a step from that level, and I’m looking forward to hopefully a good couple of days ahead of the mile and a half classics. Like many other jockeys, The Derby is the race you grow up wanting to win so it’s exciting to have a horse with a very good chance of going close touchwood on Saturday.
I’ve four rides on Friday, starting with The Bookkeeper (2.05) in The Woodcote Stakes over six furlongs. He did it well when I scored on him a couple of weeks ago at Haydock over seven furlongs, and he showed plenty of speed so there’s no concern over the drop back in trip.
He breezed up easily last time at Haydock and was much better than the winning margin suggests. The bit of juice in the ground might make it more of a test, and in that case it shouldn’t any inconvenience whatsoever to us – I think he’s got a good chance in a race where they normally go hell for leather.
The Oaks looks a strong renewal with Amelia Earhart a deserved favourite on the back of that Chester success. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has a fantastic record in the race and those Ballydoyle horses are bred to thrive around Epsom. That being said, I’m quite happy to take our chances with On Message (4.00) who is the only course winner in the race, and ran a good race when third last time out at Goodwood.
She would have won if the race had been over a mile and a half, and arguably would have probably won last time out if they had gone a good gallop. She’ll stay the trip well and will love any further juice in the ground – it’s officially described as ‘good’ but I’m sure it will be riding a little bit softer than advertised. She’s a big price, but I think she’s got a better chance than that of a 25/1 shot.
I’m on the Thirsk Hunt Cup winner Mirsky (4.40) who got the better of Blue RC last month, before disappointing last time out in a competitive handicap at York. He’s up 3lb, and is 6lb higher than winning this race 12 months ago, but clearly loves it around here and should be fine with the hurly burly nature of such a competitive race.
The hat-trick seeking Zarathos (5.50) would have had a good chance before his draw of 16 of 16 for the 7f Handicap, which is less than ideal. He had been previously impressive in back-to-back wins at Windsor over a mile, and then dropping back to 7f last time out at York. He’s gone up 11lb in the handicap for that but is clearly going the right way is entitled to keep on improving.
Epsom Derby Festival 2026: Derby Day
Derby Day looks a cracker, with Aidan O’Brien mob-handed in the colts classic over a mile and a half, and Ryan’s pick Benvenuto Cellini the one that’s probably the horse to beat. He was impressive last time out at Chester and ticks every box – I imagine his stablemates may help him get the dream passage into the race too.
That being said, I’m really excited to be on Bay of Brilliance (4.00) and think there’s more to come after his narrow defeat in the Lingfield Derby Trial. We went down a neck to a race-fit rival (Maltese Cross) but Bay of Brilliance showed a great attitude to rally late, despite having a good blow.
We knew he would come on for that Lingfield run, and I don’t expect the trip, ground or track to be an issue. He’s got a good draw, with the right horses around us. I’m very happy with him, and hoping the race will be run to suit.
Hell Yeah He Did (4.40) makes his seasonal appearance, and indeed his handicap debut, in the Lester Piggott handicap over a mile and a quarter and should go well. He improved with every run last season, finishing with his maiden success on soft ground dropping back in trip to a mile at Nottingham. He’s strengthened up over the winter and should be better over further. He’s a nice horse.
The key to Topwarrior (5.50) is the ground, so the softer the better for him in the finale. He’s a bit of an enigma but when he’s good he’s very good. He put it all together to win well when last seen at Newbury last October, and if ready to go first time up should be well-treated despite a 7lb rise at the weights.
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