With the Betfred Derby Festival fast approaching, legendary trainer Aidan O’Brien has offered an encouraging update on his entries across the weekend’s three headline Group One races. Known for his unmatched record at Epsom Downs, O’Brien is once again targeting the iconic festival with a carefully prepared squad that could extend his remarkable legacy.
The Irish master trainer has previously lifted the Betfred Derby and Oaks trophies ten times each, and also boasts nine victories in the Coronation Cup. Now, as another edition of the prestigious festival looms, his camp at Ballydoyle is shaping up confidently, with key runners showing progress and resilience since their most recent outings.
In the Derby, O’Brien is expected to saddle three horses: Delacroix, The Lion In Winter, and Lambourn. While Puppet Master won’t be lining up for this year’s Classic, the trio on course brings depth and versatility. Decisions on jockey bookings are still pending, but Ryan Moore is widely tipped to ride Delacroix, who has already stamped his credentials in the Ballysax and Leopardstown Derby trials. With proven stamina and strong performances on varied ground, he appears poised for a major run.
The Lion In Winter enters the Derby on the back of an educational effort in the Dante Stakes. Despite encountering traffic issues at York, he displayed tenacity and finishing power. Having just his second outing of the year at Epsom, the colt is expected to have improved further, especially given his natural ability to travel strongly through his races.
Lambourn, meanwhile, impressed at Chester with a smooth victory after chasing home Delacroix on his debut. Displaying balance and staying prowess, he handled Chester’s sharp turns effectively and showed promise of more to come over longer trips. His calm demeanor and adaptability make him another strong prospect for Saturday’s Classic.
Turning to the Betfred Oaks, O’Brien is eyeing a three-pronged assault featuring Minnie Hauk, Giselle, and Whirl. Minnie Hauk, in particular, has continued to progress since her second career win and showed tactical maturity during her recent run at Chester. Her physical development and strong cruising speed have been evident in recent gallops.
Giselle has been a work in progress after an excitable early season, but her breakthrough win at Lingfield indicated maturity and improving fitness. Her temperament appears more settled now, and her connections are optimistic about further improvement at Epsom.
Whirl rounds out the Oaks trio, having shown early speed and composure when leading from the front at York. She handled pressure well that day and gave every indication that she might see out the longer trip of the Oaks. While a mile and a half is a new challenge, her recent form inspires quiet confidence.
In the Coronation Cup, Ballydoyle is likely to field both Jan Brueghel and Continuous. Jan Brueghel is expected to enjoy the return to a mile and a half after a sharpener at the Curragh, while Continuous, a proven Leger winner, is well suited to the distance and thrives under regular racing rhythm.
O’Brien’s attention to detail and patient handling of each horse’s development suggest that all of his runners will arrive at Epsom primed to deliver. With jockeys like Ryan Moore, Wayne Lordan, and Colin Keane potentially in the saddle, Ballydoyle’s bid for more Group One glory is well underway.
As the festival nears, the atmosphere is heating up, and with a trainer like O’Brien in the mix, fans can expect another memorable chapter at Epsom Downs.
