{"id":48940,"date":"2025-05-14T14:21:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T14:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=48940"},"modified":"2025-05-14T15:08:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T15:08:09","slug":"dante-stakes-runners-trends-and-picks-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/dante-stakes-runners-trends-and-picks-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Dante Stakes Runners, Trends and Picks as All Eyes On Derby Favourite The Lion In Winter at York"},"content":{"rendered":"

York stages its three-day Dante Festival this midweek (Wed-Fri) with a stack of top races over the meeting – including the Dante Stakes, where this year’s Epsom Derby favourite The Lion In Winter makes his seasonal reappearance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With the final Dante Stakes runners out – there will be a maximum of 11 runners heading to post (see them all below).<\/p>\n

Derby Favourite The Lion In Winter Bids To Advertise Epsom Claims In Dante Stakes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Dante Stakes<\/strong> at York on Thursday has been one of the best Epsom Derby trials in recent times – with a total of eleven horses winning the Group 2 contest before landing the ‘big one’<\/em> on the Downs the following month.<\/p>\n

This year’s the Derby is a tad later than last year – on Saturday 7th June – which will give the Dante Stakes winner 23 days to recover.<\/p>\n

And most horse racing<\/a> fans and the best betting sites in the UK think this year’s winner will be the Aidan O’Brien-trained THE LION IN WINTER.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He’s been propping up the Derby market since impressing in the Acomb Stakes at York last August and being sired by 2009 Epsom Derby winner Sea The Stars many feel there will be a stack more improvement to come now stepping up in trip.<\/p>\n

The Lion In Winter also bypassed the 2000 Guineas with connections preferring to give their Derby hope a bit more time and feel the step up to 1m 2 1\/2f in the Dante will be more up his street.<\/p>\n

Aidan O’Brien Eyes Fifth Dante and Eleventh Derby<\/strong><\/h3>\n

He’ll be bidding to give Aidan O’Brien<\/strong> a fifth Dante Stakes win – but his most recent was back in 2010 with Cape Blanco, who didn’t run in the Epsom Derby – but instead won the Irish Derby.<\/p>\n

This wins in the race came with Saratoga Springs (1998), Septimus (2006), Black Bear Island (2009) and Cape Blanco (2010).<\/p>\n

O’Brien will also be looking for a remarkable eleventh Epsom Derby win this season – having hit double figures last season when City Of Troy won the biggest flat race in Britain.<\/p>\n

The Lion In Winter is currently around 3\/1 for the Derby on 7thg June – but a win in the Dante Stakes on Thursday will surely see that price vanish without trace.<\/p>\n

Ruling Court, this year’s 2000 Guineas winner is next best at 4\/1 (see the latest Derby betting below).<\/p>\n

You can see the full 2025 Dante Stakes Festival<\/a> race schedule, times and TV coverage here.<\/p>\n

The Lion In Winter Horse Profile<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
    \n
  • <\/i> Age: 3<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Runs: 2<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Wins: 2<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Sire: Sea The Stars<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Dam: What A Home<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Trainer: Aidan O’Brien<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Jockey: Ryan Moore:<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Last Run: 1st Acomb Stakes (York), 21st Aug 2024 (watch below)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/div>\n

    WATCH: The Lion In Winter Winning The 2024 Acomb Stakes<\/strong><\/h3>\n