We’re right into the swing of the flat season now in the UK and the next slate of Classic Trials will be taking centre stage at York’s Dante meeting. But how many Dante winners have gone on to win the Epsom Derby?
Find out all you need to know about horses that completed the famous Dante & Derby double. The York Dante meeting takes place from Wednesday 13th – Friday 15th May.
Morshdi & Christmas Day Look To Become Latest Dante Winner To Do Epsom Derby Double
The latest Dante betting odds have been all about William Haggas in-mate Morshdi and Aidan O’Brien’s Christmas Day.
In the build-up to the big race at York, both Morshdi and Christmas Day have been fighting it out for favouritism and it’s tough to call who’s going to win.
Dante Betting Odds 2026: Christmas Day Tops Betting For Aidan O’Brien
See the latest Dante Stakes odds, runners and trainers below.
- Christmas Day 2/1 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Morshdi 4/1 (William Haggas)
- Action 11/2 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Al Zanati 17/2 (Charlie Appleby)
- Item 11/1 (Andrew Balding)
- Wise Prince 11/1 (John & Thady Gosden)
- King’s Trail 12/1 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Guildmaster 28/1 (John & Thady Gosden)
Note: 2026 Dante Betting Odds are subject to change and others on request.
Haggas Turns To Morshdi To Boost Derby Squad
MORSHDI will be hoping to keep up the strong Haggas York record this week when he looks to make it three wins on the bounce.
The Dubawi colt has improved with every run so far. He was second on debut at Sandown last September before landing a maiden at York the following month.
And things couldn’t have gone much better on his seasonal reappearance when landing a listed race at Newmarket at the Craven Meeting.
His course form at York could really play into his hands in the Dante and he’s very dangerous. Was due to run in the Dee Stakes at Chester last week, but he was pulled out by Haggas due to ground concerns at the track.
WATCH: Morshdi Wins Listed Fielden Stakes At Newmarket
Dante and Derby entry Morshdi (Dubawi) has the answers in the £60,000 @betway Fielden Stakes @NewmarketRace @TomMarquand | @WilliamHaggas pic.twitter.com/nD7OsIz1t7
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 15, 2026
Christmas Day Could Become O’Brien’s First Dante Winner Since 2010
Aidan O’Brien has not won the Dante since 2010 and he has a strong chance this time around with CHRISTMAS DAY.
The son of Camelot impressed on his return at Leopardstown, landing a second Group 3 in a row there. Much like his main market rival Morshdi, he’s on a hot streak.
And the form of his latest win at Leopardstown doesn’t read too badly either.
The 5th that day James J Braddock won a Derby trial over the weekend, so Christmas Day could be the one to deliver a gift to O’Brien.
Cape Blanco was the Ballydoyle maestro’s last win in the race 16 years ago.
See the Dante Stakes trends from Andy Newton to find out if Christmas Day fits any of them.
WATCH: Christmas Day Wins Group 3 Ballysax Stakes
Big shake-up in the Derby market incoming! 👀
Christmas Day picks up where he left off last term by winning the Ballysax Stakes but current Derby favourite Pierre Bonnard couldn’t justify his short odds. @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/TbHPuFMdaZ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 12, 2026
How Many Dante Winners Went On To Win Epsom Derby?
The Dante isn’t a bad trial for the Derby with 11 winners of the York race following up at Epsom a few weeks later.
St Paddy was the first horse to achieve the double in 1960, and Sir Michael Stoute’s Desert Crown was the latest in 2022.
The last 10 years prove it has certainly been harder to achieve the double, but this season’s Epsom Derby looks an open renewal.
WATCH: Desert Crown Lands 2022 Dante Before Derby Success
Dante & Derby Winners Over The Years (11)
- 1960 – St Paddy
- 1978 – Shirley Heights
- 1986 – Shahrastani
- 1987 – Reference Point
- 1994 – Erhaab
- 1997 – Benny The Dip
- 2004 – North Light
- 2005 – Motivator
- 2007 – Authorized
- 2015 – Golden Horn
- 2022 – Desert Crown
Last 10 Winners Of The Dante Stakes
Pride Of Arras won the 2025 renewal and you can find the replay below.
- 2025 – Pride Of Arras 18/1 (Ralph Beckett)
- 2024 – Economics 6/1 (William Haggas)
- 2023 – The Foxes 6/1 (Andrew Balding)
- 2022 – Desert Crown 9/2 (Sir Michael Stoute)
- 2021 – Hurricane Lane 5/1 (Charlie Appleby)
- 2020 – Thunderous 13/2 (Mark Johnston)
- 2019 – Telecaster 7/1 (Hughie Morrison)
- 2018 – Roaring Lion 3/1 (John Gosden)
- 2017 – Permian 10/1 (Mark Johnston)
- 2016 – Wings of Desire 9/1 (John Gosden)
