Trial races for the Epsom Derby

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Trial races for the Epsom Derby are horse races during April and May which are contested by three-year-olds likely to run in the Epsom Derby in early June.

Most Derby runners appear in at least one race in the weeks before the event, although some, such as the winners Lammtarra and Shaamit, may arrive at Epsom with no previous run as a three-year-old.

The leading trial of recent years has been the Dante Stakes, which has been contested by five subsequent winners of the Derby in the last twenty years. The table below shows all such races, presently classed at Listed level or above, which have included the Derby winner during the period 1989 to 2008.

Race	Derby winners from race 1989-2008 (won unless stated)
Feilden Stakes	Erhaab (2nd)
Craven Stakes	Dr Devious (2nd)
Ballysax Stakes	Sinndar (2nd), Galileo, High Chaparral
Sandown Classic Trial	Benny the Dip (2nd)
2,000 Guineas	Nashwan, Generous (4th), Sir Percy (2nd), New Approach (2nd)
Kentucky Derby	Dr Devious (7th)
Chester Vase	Quest for Fame (2nd)
Dee Stakes	Oath, Kris Kin
Lingfield Derby Trial	High-Rise
Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial	Sinndar, Galileo, High Chaparral
Dante Stakes	Erhaab, Benny the Dip, North Light, Motivator, Authorized
Glasgow Stakes	Commander in Chief
Irish 2,000 Guineas	New Approach (2nd)
Unraced as 3-y-o	Lammtarra, Shaamit