Lambourn Prevails in G1 Epsom Derby

Irish champion trainer O'Brien celebrates record-extending 11th victory in UK classic

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EPSOM - Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien has won a record-extending 11th Epsom Derby as Lambourn led from start to finish to score in the £1.5 million (S$2.6 million) Group 1 Epsom Derby (2,400m) at the Epsom Downs racecourse on June 7.

That win completed an extraordinary two days for the six-time British champion trainer.

Minnie Hauk, a daughter of Frankel, beat stablemate Whirl to take out the Group 1 Epsom Oaks (2,400m) for three-year-old fillies on June 6, while Jan Brueghel saluted in the other Group 1 race, the Coronation Cup (2,400m).

It was not the first time the 55-year-old handler has achieved the Oaks/Derby double. O'Brien last achieved the feat in 2020 with Love in the Epsom Oaks, and with Serpentine, who also made all in the Epsom Derby five years ago.

"It's been an incredible two days. I am delighted," said O'Brien.

"This horse (Lambourn) is uncomplicated, genuine and committed. He always has been."

After landing the Group 3 Chester Vase Stakes (2,500m) under Ryan Moore on May 7, the three-year-old colt of Australia stepped up to the plate at his first Group 1 attempt.

With O'Brien's No. 1 jockey opting to take the reins on his stable-mate and last-start Group 3 Derby Trial (2,000m) winner Delacroix, it was Delacroix's last-start winning partner Wayne Lordan who would ride Lambourn.