Authorized (horse) appeared at the time to be the best performance in any of the 2007 Trial races for the Epsom Derby and Authorized was made favourite for the race. Media attention ahead of the Derby focused on Frankie Dettori who, despite winning all the other British Classics at least twice each, had so far failed to win the Derby in 14 attempts. For the race itself, run at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 2 June 2007, Authorized was a clear favourite at odds of 5 to 4, and justified the odds by winning by five lengths in a fast time. Dropped back
Golden Horn (horse) very versatile but what we don’t want is a messy race. He is a Derby winner not a sprinter". Gosden was not overly enthusiastic about the colt's chances saying "I have a lot of respect for The Grey Gatsby... these are top older horses we’re taking on... any horse can get beaten" and described the horse's position as odds-on favourite as "a bit unusual". As in the Derby, Dettori had a "lucky" piece of kit: the left boot he had worn at Epsom had been ripped at Royal Ascot, but the jockey insisted on having it repaired by his valet