Auguste Rodin Epsom Derby 2023 odds and race record

Belfast Telegraph

03 June 2023

Auguste Rodin Epsom Derby 2023 odds and race record

Aidan O’Brien has won a record nine Epsom Derbys and the Irishman will count the very talented Auguste Rodin among his principal contenders for glory in the 2023 edition this afternoon.

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Auguste Rodin’s Epsom Derby odds

Auguste Rodin to win the Epsom Derby @ 5/2 with talkSPORT Bet

Auguste Rodin was touted this spring as a potential “Triple Crown horse” by his trainer. But things did not go to plan in the 2,000 Guineas, as he trailed home at the back of the field in what O’Brien deemed a ‘“write-off” in the opening British Classic of the season.

The Deep Impact colt was turned over in second in his debut last season at the Curragh (7f, good) in a maiden before opening his account next time at Naas.

Afterwards, he went through the gears to win the Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown over a mile on soft ground and the Futurity Stakes at Doncaster on heavy going.

That final victory, his first in Group 1 company, was very impressive and left his connections full of hope for his Classic season – but then came that severe setback at Newmarket .

Who will be riding Auguste Rodin at Epsom?

Though O’Brien had not confirmed the riding arrangements by midweek, it would be a major shock if Ryan Moore, the trainer’s regular first choice, were not on board Auguste Rodin this afternoon.

The 39-year-old rider remains among the very best in the world, as was evidenced at the Curragh in a superbly executed Tattersalls Gold Cup win on Luxembourg last weekend as they fought off the sustained challenge of Qipco Champion Stakes winner Bay Bridge.

Moore has only one Epsom Derby victory for O’Brien so far – in 2013, on Ruler Of The World, three years after Sir Michael Stoute’s Workforce gave him his breakthrough in the premier Classic.

Team Ballydoyle have won four more Derbys at Epsom since that success a decade ago, but Moore has not partnered any of them.

Auguste Rodin to win the Epsom Derby @ 5/2 with talkSPORT Bet

Who is Auguste Rodin’s trainer?

O’Brien is quite simply the most decorated European trainer of his generation. His haul of Group 1s includes just about every major contest in the world on turf.

At Epsom, he has won the Derby an incredible eight times: with Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012), Ruler Of The World (2013), Australia (2014), Wings Of Eagles (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2019) and Serpentine (2020).

He often runs multiple colts in the race and history has taught us it does not necessarily follow that his perceived first string will win. Alongside Auguste Rodin, he has Adelaide River, Covent Garden and San Antonio running this time.

Auguste Rodin to win the Epsom Derby @ 5/2 with talkSPORT Bet

What are Auguste Rodin's Derby chances?

Given the bullish talk that came from Ballydoyle before the Guineas, Auguste Rodin’s run at HQ was a major letdown.

There were some concerns over travel plans getting to the race, with O’Brien forced to follow a different timescale because of the Coronation of King Charles III that same weekend, but it was hardly enough to justify such a listless run. His two-year-old had given rise to the idea the soft ground would be in his favour too.

The noises off have been more positive since that disaster of a run on May 6, where he finished 12th of 14, and this longer trip was always likely to suit Auguste Rodin well. That said, those backing him as favourite now are taking a leap of faith that he will consign his Guineas run to the dustbin. He is, of course, in superb hands to do just that – and has to be considered a major contender after just one, albeit significant, blip.