Ballydoyle master Aidan O’Brien logged his 50th English victory in an unexpected manner as Christmas Day took out the Epsom Derby on Saturday, where the drama continued half an hour after he croseed the line as the favourite was scratched.
O’Brien, as always, had a team for the Derby, including $4 favourite Benvenuto Cellini that was the centre of post-race farce as he scratched after getting his hind leg up in the barriers and therefore under English rules was denied a fair start.
“Soon after the horses left the starting gates we were notified that the favourite had his left hind leg on the running board just before the start, which resulted in him not being able to jump on terms with the field,” BHA head of stewards Shuan Parker said.
“He was standing on three legs when the stalls opened.
“We then considered the fact that, in terms of our rules, he had been denied a fair start. Having got evidence from Ryan Moore that he wanted to go forward with the horse, we noted that he was very slowly into stride and was second-last shortly after the start and was really on the back foot from the start.
CHRISTMAS DAY in June! 🧑🎄
Festivities at @EpsomRacecourse as Christmas Day wins the G1 Derby under Ronan Whelan and becomes a 50th UK Classic winner for Aidan O’Brien! pic.twitter.com/tRtcjaObal
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) June 6, 2026
“His race had basically, in our view, been negatively affected.
“On that basis, in terms of Rule H6, we can then declare a horse a non-runner.”
The rule was brought in after Harry’s Angel did something similar in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in 2018, losing his chance.
Punters on the $7 winner had to endure a 25 pence deduction.
🗣️”I think it’s a diabolical decision.”@nevisondave criticises the decision to declare Benvenuto Cellini a non-runner in the Derby pic.twitter.com/d7V5cbmd9P
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 6, 2026
It was a brilliant ride by Ronan Whelan on Christmas Day using his strong staying asset to its fullest as he took the lead more than 600m out and held off Maltese Cross and James J Braddock.
“He’s always been a very good-looking horse, but an unassuming, uncomplicated one,” O’Brien said. “It isn’t always the obvious horse, I suppose that’s what makes it exciting, and Ronan gave him a great ride. He was always in the right position.
O’Brien gave credit to the team behind after his 12th Derby victory and Classic 50.
“To win one Classic is so difficult, let alone 50. But it’s not me, it’s everybody else. Everybody knows I’m a very small part of a big team, with Coolmore, Ballydoyle and all the farms around, and all the people who do all the different jobs. There are so many people I don’t mention, the people in the offices and the people on the ground in Ballydoyle, Coolmore and everywhere,” he said.
