The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word FOAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
F
O
A
L
More clues leading to the result FOAL
- Tips switched in lounge for future Derby winner?
- Young animal starts to feed on acacia leaves
- Formula often backfires, picking out horse
- Young filly partial to half a lager
- Horse and duck in Cornish river
- Sent back the French starters of offal, flageolets and a little horse
- New-born animal, filly’s offspring appearing little, first of all
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "future Derby winner" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case future derby winner = foal.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FOAL mean?
FOAL noun- A young horse or related animal, especially just after birth or less than a year old.
- A young boy who assisted the headsman by pushing or pulling the tub.
- To give birth to (a foal); to bear offspring.