Betfred Derby
 QuinnBet
Group 1, Epsom Downs 15:30
£1,500,000 guaranteed
3yo only,
1m, 4f, 10y   
Saturday 7th June 2025

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1 Lambourn 13/2
2 Lazy Griff 50/1
3 Tennessee Stud 28/1
18 ran NR: Ruling Court Distances: 3¾l, 1l, nk
Time: 2m 38.50s (slow by 2.90s)

Aidan O’Brien’s Epsom empire rolled on as Lambourn, the apparent third string in the betting, defied expectations and rivals alike to deliver the master of Ballydoyle a remarkable 11th success in the iconic race.

While much of the pre-race chatter centred on the supposed superiority of the Ryan Moore-ridden Delacroix and The Lion In Winter, it was Wayne Lordan aboard the overlooked 13-2 chance who seized the initiative early — dictating fractions with poise, precision, and ultimately, power.

Turning into the straight, Lambourn had already stolen a march, slipping further clear as he swept down Tattenham Corner, and with every stride inside the final furlong, the Derby was being put to bed in emphatic fashion. Just as he had at Chester, Lazy Griff ran a brave race in second for Charlie Johnston — though this time he was a well-held three and three-quarter lengths adrift — with Tennessee Stud rallying for a respectable third under Joseph O’Brien’s tutelage.

“He’s such an uncomplicated, genuine horse,” said a visibly delighted Aidan O’Brien post-race. “Wayne gave him a beautiful ride — incredibly brave, perfectly judged. Everyone knew the plan, he’s that type of horse. Honest as the day is long, and Wayne knew he’d stay.”

In typical O’Brien fashion, praise was spread generously across the team. “We trained his sire Australia to win the Derby, and of course his sire before him, Galileo, so it’s very special. We’re all just small parts in a big wheel — it’s a privilege to be part of something like this.”

Lambourn, who had been runner-up to Delacroix on debut before impressing at Chester, was clearly progressing all the time — and staying power was never in question.

“He doesn’t stop — we saw that at Chester — and Wayne got the fractions absolutely spot on,” O’Brien noted. “Ryan said Delacroix’s chance went when he got taken out of his ground over halfway. As for The Lion In Winter, Colin (Keane) felt he just wasn’t picking up — maybe it was the ground, maybe the track.”

But the spotlight belonged to Lordan, who timed his run to perfection and wasn’t for passing. “He let Ryan have the Oaks yesterday,” O’Brien quipped, “but he wasn’t letting this one go!”

In the end, Lambourn not only ran them ragged — he reminded the racing world that when it comes to Classic contests at Epsom, never discount the so-called third string from Ballydoyle.

BetGoodwin

Betfred Derby (Group 1)
£1,500,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 4f 10y, Class 1
18 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (10)    Lambourn 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Wayne Lordan 13/2
2 (3) 3¾ Lazy Griff 3 9-2 Charlie Johnston Christophe Soumillon 50/1
3 (12) 1 Tennessee Stud 3 9-2 Joseph O'Brien Dylan Browne McMonagle 28/1
4 (17) nk New Ground 3 9-2 H-F Devin Alexis Pouchin 50/1
5 (2) nk Stanhope Gardens 3 9-2 Ralph Beckett Hector Crouch 12/1
6 (11) 3 Tornado Alert 3 9-2 Saeed bin Suroor Oisin Murphy 40/1
7 (8) 1¼ Green Storm 3 9-2 Charlie Johnston Billy Loughnane 50/1
8 (9) ½ Nightime Dancer 3 9-2 Richard Hannon Jamie Spencer 100/1
9 (14) 6 Delacroix 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 2/1F
10 (4) nk Midak 3 9-2 F-H Graffard Mickael Barzalona 9/1
11 (18) ¾ Sea Scout 3 9-2 Simon & Ed Crisford Harry Davies 125/1
12 (5) 6 Nightwalker 3 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Tom Marquand 40/1
13 (1) 2 Rogue Impact 3 9-2 James Owen Luke Morris 200/1
14 (19) 2½ The Lion In Winter 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Colin Keane 7/1
15 (13) 13 Al Wasl Storm 3 9-2 Owen Burrows David Probert 50/1
16 (6) 2¼ Tuscan Hills 3 9-2 Raphael E Freire David Egan 40/1
17 (16) 7½ Pride Of Arras 3 9-2 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 4/1
18 (15) 1¾ Damysus 3 9-2 John & Thady Gosden James Doyle 16/1
NR 13 (7) Ruling Court 3 9-2 Charlie Appleby NON RUNNER

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