Christmas Day won the 247th edition of the Epsom Derby on Saturday. His victory under Ronan Whelan sealed a fourth straight Derby victory for trainer Aidan O’Brien. It was also a 50th Classic success for O’Brien, though his favourite Benvenuto Cellini was declared a non-runner after the race.
Here is the weekend and today’s racing news rounded up for Monday.
Epsom Derby: Christmas Day wins as Benvenuto Cellini deemed a non-runner
Aidan O’Brien won his fourth straight Epsom Debry courtesy of Christmas Day. The son of Camelot appeared only to be the fourth string for the Ballydoyle team. However, under Ronan Whelan, Christmas Day was always prominent and stayed on strongest down the centre of the course. He ultimately had the race in safe keeping from some way out, beating William Haggas’ Maltese Cross by a shade under three lengths. James J Braddock was third, chasing an Oaks-Derby double for Aidan’s son Joesph. (BBC)
There was good news too for favourite backers. Despite Benvenuto Cellini’s disappointing run in crossing the line tenth, bets on him were refunded. Stewards deemed him a non-runner as he had a hind leg up in the stalls as the gates opened. The controversial ruling meant a Rule 4 was applied on bets on the winner and those who finished in the places. However, it also ensured all bets on Benvenuto Cellini were void. (Racing Post)
Epsom Oaks: Thundering On thunders home
A day earlier, the Epsom Oaks was won in taking fashion by Thundering On. The Joseph O’Brien-trained filly was held up in last by Dylan Browne McMonagle. He kept his cool to guide Thundering On between runners down the stands side. She came clear to easily beat Legacy Link into second. Favourite Amelia Earhart was the first disappointing favourite of the Classic weekend. Her stablemate and rank outsider Sugar Island finished third. (The Jockey Club)
Bay City Roller steamrolls Coronation Cup rivals
The first Group 1 on Derby day was the Coronation Cup. Moved to the Saturday for the first time, conditions played perfectly into the hands of Bay City Roller. George Scott’s charge won in commanding fashion with Oisin Murphy guiding him down the centre of the course. That enabled him to come well clear of 2025 Coronation Cup hero Jan Brueghel. Last year’s Derby winner Lambourn and French challenger Calandagan were out of the places. (Sky Sports)
George Boughey bullish on Bow Echo progress
Attention now turns towards Royal Ascot in a little over one week’s time. One of the most eagerly anticipated contests will be the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day. Bow Echo, the impressive 2000 Guineas winner, is due to reappear there and his trainer George Boughey has been glowing in his praise of the three-year-old. Bow Echo has worked very well on the Warren Hill gallops and improved physically since May. (At The Races)