Sports

Lambourn runs rivals ragged to win Epsom Derby

Lambourne won from the front in an impressive Derby win
Lambourn led from the front in an impressive Derby win – AFP/Justin Tallis

Lambourn, one of three runners for Aidan O’Brien, extended the master trainer’s dominance in the Betfred Derby with a record-extending 11th victory – and third on the bounce.

The Chester Vase winner, a 13/2 shot, appreciated the rain that fell on Epsom and rewarded his supporters as he dictated throughout under Wayne Lordan, who was winning the race for the first time at his ninth attempt.

Stablemate Delacroix, the 2/1 favourite under Ryan Moore, was struggling from a long way out and finished ninth.

Lazy Griff, a 50/1 outsider, was second, coming home three and three quarter lengths behind the winner, with Tennessee Stud third at 28/1. New Ground at 50/1 was fourth. Ruling Court, a leading fancy for the race, was ruled out earlier in the day by connections due to unsuitable ground.

Finishing order:

1. Lambourn 13/2

2. Lazy Griff 50/1

3. Tennessee Stud 28/1

4. New Ground 50/1

5. Stanhope Gardens, 6. Tornado Alert, 7. Green Storm, 8. Nightime Dancer, 9. Delacroix, 10. Midak, 11. Sea Scout, 12. Nightwalker, 13. Rogue Impact, 14. The Lion In Winter, 15. Al Wasl Storm, 16. Tuscan Hills, 17. Pride Of Arras, 18. Damysus.

18 ran (NR Ruling Court).

04:32 PM BST

Lambourn a worthy winner

Lambourn, a 13/2 shot and one of three runners for Aidan O’Brien, extended the master trainer’s dominance in the Betfred Derby with a record-extending 11th victory – and third on the bounce.

The Chester Vase winner appreciated the rain that fell on Epsom and dictated throughout under Wayne Lordan, who was winning the race for the first time at his ninth attempt.

The winning jockey said: “I knew I’d gone a good gallop but his ears were pricked and I knew he had plenty left. We always felt he would stay well.”

Stablemate Delacroix, the 2/1 favourite under Ryan Moore, was struggling from a long way out and finished ninth.

Lazy Griff, a 50/1 outsider, fared best of the rest, coming home three and three quarter lengths behind the winner, with Tennessee Stud third at 28/1. New Ground at 50/1 was fourth. One of the leading fancies, Ruling Court, was ruled out earlier in the day due to unsuitable ground.

Finishing order:

1. Lambourn 13/2

2. Lazy Griff 50/1

3. Tennessee Stud 28/1

4. New Ground 50/1

5. Stanhope Gardens, 6. Tornado Alert, 7. Green Storm, 8. Nightime Dancer, 9. Delacroix, 10. Midak, 11. Sea Scout, 12. Nightwalker, 13. Rogue Impact, 14. The Lion In Winter, 15. Al Wasl Storm, 16. Tuscan Hills, 17. Pride Of Arras, 18. Damysus.

18 ran (NR Ruling Court).

That wraps up our live coverage of Derby day. Thank you for tuning in.

04:09 PM BST

Winning team

Wayne Lordan, Aidan O'Brien and connections with the trophy for the Betfred Derby at Epsom
Jockey Wayne Lordan with Derrick Smith (second left) and Michael Tabor (centre), members of the Coolmore ownership group, and the Derby trophy – PA/John Walton

04:05 PM BST

Winning rider speaks

Wayne Lordan on ITV Racing: “I was happy from the start, and while the colt is a bit lazy he got into a good position early and was happy lobbing along. As soon as I got to the three pole I knew whatever got past me was going to win. Then I got a flick into him at the two pole and from a furlong out I knew I had the race won.”

Incidentally, Lambourn started from stall 10, which is historically the most successful stall for Derby winners. Something to remember for 12 months’ time!

03:57 PM BST

What it means to winning connections

03:56 PM BST

Here comes the winner

03:55 PM BST

Marvel O’Brien

Wayne Lordan shakes hands with Aidan O'Brien after winning the Betfred Derby at Epsom on Lambourn
Aidan O’Brien shakes hands with Wayne Lordan after Lambourn’s success in the Betfred Derby – PA/John Walton

Aidan O’Brien has just trained his 11th winner of the Derby. The Ballydoyle maestro also trained Lambourn’s sire, Australia (winner of the Classic in 2014), and grandsire, Galileo (2001 Derby winner). The trainer suggests Lambourn might go next to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on June 29.

03:47 PM BST

Classic procession

Lambourn, ridden by Wayne Lordan, wins the Betfred Derby at Epsom
Lambourn and Wayne Lordan, for team Coolmore, wins the Betfred Derby – PA/Aaron Chown

03:44 PM BST

Betfred Derby result

An Irish winner in the Epsom Classic:

1. Lambourn (W M Lordan) 13-2
2. Lazy Griff (C Soumillon) 50-1
3. Tennessee Stud (D McMonagle) 28-1
18 ran
Non Runner: 13 (Ruling Court)

03:43 PM BST

Hot off the press

Winning jockey Wayne Lordan: “He stays well so I knew they’d have to be good to beat me. It’s the greatest race and I’m in a lucky position to be riding a horse this good in the Derby.”

03:40 PM BST

That’s how you do it!

03:40 PM BST

Well-supported winner

Lambourn, at 13/2, was well fancied and rewarded his supporters as he made all to land the Betfred Derby under Wayne Lordan, his first win in the race at his ninth attempt. It is a record-extending 11th winner for master trainer Aidan O’Brien.

03:38 PM BST

Lambourn runs them ragged

It’s Lambourn, pillar to post!!

03:37 PM BST

The straight

Lambourn leads them from Lazy Griff

03:37 PM BST

Tattenham Corner

Lambourn leads them into the business part of the race and Delacroix has plenty to do, sitting third-last.

03:35 PM BST

They’re off in the Derby!

The 246th running of the race and Damysus is an early leader with Lambourn and Sea Scout.

03:31 PM BST

Latest betting

Opposition to 2/1 favourite Delacroix as Pride Of Arras sees support at 7/2, Lambourn has his followers at 13/2, while there is also money around for Midak at 8/1 and Stanhope Gardens at 12/1.

03:28 PM BST

Three minutes to post time

The National Anthem has just played. Not long now…

03:26 PM BST

Not long to go now

Aidan O’Brien is looking for a record-extending 11th victory in the Derby and 2/1 favourite Delacroix arrives on the back of victories in the Ballysax and Derby Trial at Leopardstown. Ryan Moore has opted to partner him over stablemates The Lion In Winter and the well-supported Lambourn, and the jockey chose correctly yesterday when opting for winner Minnie Hauk over neck runner-up Whirl in the Betfred Oaks.

Meanwhile, Pride Of Arras, the pride of his owner, 80-year-old grandmother Lavinia Aykroyd, is unbeaten in both starts, including York’s leading Derby trial last month when defeating the reopposing Damysus, Nightwalker, The Lion In Winter, Tuscan Hills, Sea Scout. He is currently trading at 4/1 second favourite.

03:20 PM BST

Inside track from Ballydoyle

03:19 PM BST

Gosden duo

The ground is a doubt for Nightwalker, says co-trainer John Gosden on ITV Racing, while the stable’s second runner Damysus “has a tough draw [15] but should run well if he gets a fair run”.

03:14 PM BST

The favourite being saddled

03:12 PM BST

Latest Derby betting

Betfred Derby runners and riders:

  • Delacroix 15/8
  • Pride Of Arras 4/1
  • Lambourn 13/2
  • The Lion In Winter 8/1
  • Midak 9/1
  • Stanhope Gardens 14/1
  • Damysus 16/1
  • Tennessee Stud 33/1
  • 40/1 bar

03:08 PM BST

Latest big-race odds

Just under half an hour to the Betfred Derby. Lambourn, the Ballydoyle ‘third string’, has his supporters in the betting ring and is now 7/1 behind 2/1 favourite Delacroix and Pride Of Arras (9/2). One further down the betting attracting money is Stanhope Gardens at 14/1, while Midak, one of the two French raiders, is as short as 9/1. Midak would be a fitting winner, as he runs in the colours of the Aga Khan Studs SCEA. Today’s race is being run in honour of one of racing’s greatest patrons, the Aga Khan IV, who died, aged 88, in February

03:01 PM BST

The rain is here

Racegoers under umbrellas during Derby day at Epsom
Racegoers deploy their umbrellas as the promised rain arrives at Epsom – PA/Aaron Chown

02:58 PM BST

Jungle jets in

Jm Jungle (7), ridden by Jason Hart, wins the Aston Martin 'Dash' Handicap at Epsom
Jm Jungle (7) wins the Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap under Jason Hart from Spartan Arrow and Hollie Doyle – PA/Adam Davy

02:55 PM BST

Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap result

1. Jm Jungle (Jason Hart) 7-1
2. Spartan Arrow (Hollie Doyle) 6-1
3. Existent (Rose Dawes) 10-1
4. Marching Mac (Grace McEntee) 40-1

All 19 ran (Clarendon House was under orders but refused to start)

02:53 PM BST

No time to blink

02:52 PM BST

Jungle joy

Beaten at York only seven days ago, Jm Jungle (7/1) times it just right under Jason Hart to win the Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap from Spartan Arrow (6/1) in second and Existent (10/1) third. Marching Mac was fourth at 40/1.

02:48 PM BST

No hanging around

Jm Jungle lands the ‘Dash’ under Jason Hart, from Spartan Arrow. Another thriller, another Yorkshire-trainer winner.

02:46 PM BST

They’re off!

Clarendon House refuses to start

02:46 PM BST

At the post

Runners going into the stalls. Jer Batt your 7/2 favourite, Spartan Arrow 6/1 next best, 7/1 bar.

02:44 PM BST

Even more speed merchants…

Race 4, due off at 2.45pm, is the Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap over the minimum trip of five furlongs. The previous race was restricted to three-year-olds, this contest is for the older sprinters.

02:42 PM BST

Interested spectators

Tara McKillop and Lee Mack watch the action at Epsom Downs
Lee Mack and his wife Tara McKillop watch the action at Epsom – PA/Aaron Chown
Racegoers watch on during the Betfred Diomed Stakes during Derby Day
Top hat and tails is order of the day as punters watch the action before the big one from Epsom – PA/David Davies

02:36 PM BST

Fourth race is due off at 2.45pm

Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap runners and riders:

  • Jer Batt 4/1
  • Jm Jungle 5/1
  • Spartan Arrow 7/1
  • Existent 9/1
  • Democracy Dilemma 9/1
  • Vintage Clarets 10/1
  • Fair Wind 11/1
  • Clarendon House 16/1
  • Blind Beggar 20/1
  • Tees Spirit 22/1

02:33 PM BST

How to… a jockey’s guide to Epsom

02:29 PM BST

Numbers down

One talking point on Epsom Downs is the relatively sparse crowds out on The Hill, away from the main stands. The usual fairground funfair, bars, bookies and food stands are all out there – but business looks relatively slow. The dreadful weather forecast clearly will not have helped but there is also debate over how the event can again attract more people from the local area and those outside of racing for a tradition dating back to the 18th century.

02:27 PM BST

It was all a blur…

Stormy Impact (Warren Fentiman, red and white silks) on her way to winning the Betfred 3YO 'Dash' Handicap at Epsom Downs
Stormy Impact (Warren Fentiman, red and white silks) on their way to winning at Epsom – PA/Adam Davy

… and the next race will be no different. The Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap at 2.45pm is for older horses and is also over the minimum five-furlong trip.

02:23 PM BST

Weather watch

Ruling Court’s withdrawal reduces the Derby field to 18 runners and underlines fears over the potential conditions. Heavy rain is still forecast ahead of the big race at 3.30pm.

02:21 PM BST

3YO ‘Dash’ Handicap result

1. Stormy Impact (Warren Fentiman) 7-1
2. Lexington Blitz (S M Levey) 12-1
3. Ruby’s Profit (K Shoemark) 11-4 Fav
4. Blinky (Cam Hardie) 10-1
16 ran
Non Runners: 12,16

Jockey Warren Fentiman, interviewed immediately after the race on ITV Racing, said the win “meant everything” to him, “especially on Derby day”. Stormy Impact, available at as big as 20/1 overnight, rewarded her supporters in some style.

02:18 PM BST

7/1 shot Stormy Impact lands the spoils

02:13 PM BST

Deadly Impact

A thrilling finish as Stormy Impact and apprentice Warren Fentiman beat Lexington Blitz and Sean Levey

02:11 PM BST

They’re off!

Favourite Ruby’s Profit is out fast … don’t hold your breath

02:09 PM BST

Nearly ready

Going into the stalls for race three

02:09 PM BST

Because of the ground…

Godolphin’s 1,000 Guineas winner, Desert Flower, was beaten into third in yesterday’s Oaks. The same can’t now befall the 2,000 Guineas hero Ruling Court, who has been ruled out of the Derby

02:06 PM BST

Derby market shuffle

Delacroix into 15-8 favourite for the Derby following the withdrawal of Ruling Court. Pride Of Arras is currently 9-2 second favourite with Delacroix’s stablemates Lambourn and The Lion In Winter next best at 7s.

02:06 PM BST

Derby market shuffle

Delacroix into 15-8 favourite for the Derby following the withdrawal of Ruling Court. Pride Of Arras is currently 9-2 second favourite with Delacroix’s stablemates Lambourn and The Lion In Winter next best at 7s.

02:01 PM BST

Third race is off at 2.10pm

Betfred 3YO ‘Dash’ Handicap runners and riders:

  • Ruby’s Profit 5/2
  • Against The Wind 5/1
  • Mademoiselle 15/2
  • Stormy Impact 8/1
  • Blinky 10/1
  • Naanas Sparkle 11/1
  • Lexington Blitz 16/1
  • Gold Star Hero 16/1
  • Glorious Kitty 16/1
  • Acrisius 20/1
  • Tees Aggregates 22/1

01:59 PM BST

Timed to perfection

01:57 PM BST

The speed merchants up next

Race 3, due off at 2.10pm, is the Betfred ‘3YO’ Dash Handicap over the minimum five furlongs. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it!

01:54 PM BST

Ruling Court out of big one

Charlie Appleby has just announced on ITV Racing that Ruling Court will not run in the Betfred Derby due to unsuitable soft ground prevailing at Epsom

01:51 PM BST

More, more, Moore!

01:51 PM BST

Moore the master in Diomed

Persica, ridden by Ryan Moore (centre), on their way to winning the Betfred Diomed Stakes at Epsom Downs
Persica, under a superlative Ryan Moore (centre), rewards favourite backers in the Betfred Diomed Stakes – PA/John Walton

01:46 PM BST

Moore the merrier!

Ryan Moore warms up for his Derby ride on Delacroix with a win on Persica for Richard Hannon in the Betfred Diomed Stakes. The man is on fire.

01:42 PM BST

Diomed Stakes result

1. Persica (R L Moore) 6-4 Fav
2. Ice Max (C Lee) 10-1
3. Docklands (R Kingscote) 3-1

01:40 PM BST

Superb ride

Ryan Moore lands a gamble on Persica, who was backed down to 6-4 favourite and came from last to take it up inside the final furlong to beat Ice Max and Docklands

01:38 PM BST

The favourite wins

Persica lands the spoils at 6-4 market leader

01:36 PM BST

They’re off!

Last race on the round track before the Derby and Royal Playwright leads as Persica is dropped in

01:34 PM BST

Moments from the second race

Course-and-distance winner Persica, the mount of Ryan Moore, is clear favourite at 7-4, with Docklands on the drift at 5-2. 

01:28 PM BST

Second race is off at 1.35pm

The Betfred Diomed Stakes, runners and riders:

  • Persica 2/1
  • Docklands 9/4
  • Royal Playwright 9/2
  • Ice Max 8/1
  • Geography 10/1
  • Royal Dubai 14/1
  • Tyrrhenian Sea 25/1
  • Brave Emperor 125/1

01:25 PM BST

Will leading fancy Ruling Court run in big one?

01:24 PM BST

New Ground or Nightwalker for the Derby win?

The grave of the young boy in Newmarket that is supposed to predict the winner of the Derby
The grave of the young boy in Newmarket that is supposed to predict the winner of the Derby – Marcus Armytage

The grave in Newmarket, supposed to be that of a young gypsy boy who was looking after sheep, but who fell asleep and when he woke found some of the animals missing and in his despair hanged himself. A flower is traditionally placed on the boy’s grave to predict the Derby winner. This year it’s pink with some greenery. Only two horses have any pink in their silks, the two Juddmonte runners New Ground and Nightwalker.

01:17 PM BST

Easy does it! First-race winner Spiritual

Spiritual, with Rab Havlin up, on their way to winning The Princess Elizabeth Stakes during Derby Day at Epsom Downs
Spiritual and Rab Havlin (right) land the Princess Elizabeth Stakes – Harry Murphy/Getty Images

01:11 PM BST

First race results

  1. Spiritual (R Havlin) 9/1
  2. Bright Thunder (C Lee) 14/1
  3. Sparks Fly (Laura Pearson) 11/1

01:08 PM BST

Sensational Spiritual!

01:05 PM BST

Brilliant run

Spiritual led from the start and the rest of the field couldn’t live with her. Great ride by Rab Havlin.

01:03 PM BST

Spiritual wins it!

That was a classy performance as the 9/1 shot won by five lengths.

01:03 PM BST

9/1 shot leading

As they pass Tattenham Corner Spiritual is leading 

01:02 PM BST

They’re off!

Out well is Bright Thunder with Bermuda Longtail also off quickly. 

01:00 PM BST

We are moments away from the first race

It’s currently dry, how long will that remain the case? Still good ground…

Skellet, Bermuda Longtail and Royal Dress are the ones to watch…

12:58 PM BST

Anticipation is building!

Mary Berry
Mary Berry is at Epsom for the big race – Reuters/Dylan Martinez
Children wrapping up warm on a chilly day in Surrey
Children wrapping up warm on a chilly day in Surrey – PA/John Walton
Billy Loughnane and George Boughey check the course ahead of the the Princess Elizabeth Stakes
Billy Loughnane and George Boughey check the course ahead of the the Princess Elizabeth Stakes – PA/John Walton

12:52 PM BST

First race is off at 1

The Princess Elizabeth Stakes. These are the runners and riders. 

  • Bermuda Longtail 4/1
  • Royal Dress 4/1
  • Skellet 11/2
  • Sirona 7/1
  • Bright Thunder 15/2
  • Spiritual 9/1
  • Sparks Fly 12/1
  • Sunfall 18/1
  • Chic Colombine 20/1
  • Imperial Quarter 25/1
  • Kindest Nation 125/1

12:50 PM BST

The rain has arrived!

Spoke too soon, brollies are up!

12:45 PM BST

Spectators geared up for big day

Derby spectators
Well-dressed punters ready for Flat racing’s biggest day – PA/John Walton
Derby
Rain is forecast but as it stands the going is good to soft – AFP/Justin Tallis
Epsom Derby
Punters hoping to strike it rich ahead of the big race – Getty Images/Harry Murphy

12:40 PM BST

Rain on the way?

Still dry at Epsom despite dire forecasts. Sky does look a bit foreboding and not much sign of the sun but ground remains good to soft. 

12:38 PM BST

Who is going to win the big one?

10:48 AM BST

Pride of Arras can land the big one

Pride of Arras can provide a huge filip for small-time owner-breeders and give Britain’s premier Classic some respite from the usual suspects by winning the 246th Betfred Derby for trainer Ralph Beckett and owner Vimy Ackroyd at Epsom today.

Since 2012, Aidan O’Brien and Charlie Appleby have won the race 10 times between them and, though one should never decry the investment and excellence of those operations, it is no bad thing for those Goliaths to be bopped on the nose with a stone slung by David once in a while, and, with four mares and just six horses in training, Yorkshire-based Ackroyd fits that bill.

Even Beckett, who is not afraid to speak his mind, wondered how many favours Ballydoyle’s domination had done the race in recent years, and suggested that with Galileo and Montjeu now both gone, there might be a slight changing of the guard.

When Beckett won the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe with Blue Stocking last October, lest the French get too cocky that this would be the absolute pinnacle of his career, he rather pointedly said that there was one race he cherished even more: the Epsom Derby.

Little can he have expected in that moment that he would be doubly represented in this year’s race with Pride of Arras, named by Ackroyd after a horse her grandfather won a steeplechase on at Punchestown aged 72, and, the darker horse of his pair, Stanhope Gardens.

At the time Pride of Arras had won his only start at two impressively but the initial excitement had slightly waned when the horses he beat started proving they could not get out of their own way. With tempered aspirations, the ground had gone before Pride of Arras was ready to go again last autumn and, this spring, he was not ready to run until last month’s Dante.

One suspects he hides his light under a bushel at home because he went to York unconsidered at 18-1 but he raced not only with great maturity for a horse of his limited experience but shot through a gap, somewhat narrower than himself, like an old sprint handicapper to win going away from Damysus.

Having his third start today, the son of New Bay is, surely, on a steeper upward trajectory than most of his rivals.

“He’s trained well and worked well,” said Beckett of the colt. “He’s tightened up and is on good terms with himself. We’re going there with our best foot forward. I never expected him to be that quick, he’s very well balanced and his half-sister and brother both won round Epsom. We were also surprised he went on ground as quick as it was at York so rain shouldn’t bother him. They’re all positives.”

We sort of know what we will get with Aidan O’Brien’s No 1, Delacroix, as the trainer seeks a record extending 11th Derby. He is very solid and professional but great though his sire Dubawi is, he has yet to breed a Derby winner. Rampant stayers tend not to be a trait he passes on and I am not sure an extra two furlongs will bring out any improvement.

Of course if the 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court gets a mile and a half, he will be extremely hard to beat because he should have too much speed for his rivals and on official ratings he is 4lbs clear of The Lion In Winter. Even if you think Field of Gold got a slightly injudicious ride in the Guineas, Ruling Court may be one of the few horses to lower the grey’s colours this season.

But will he stay? On pedigree he will but he, as a general rule, the longer on speed the shorter on stamina. That said he wins this and he is a genuine shot at the Triple Crown.

O’Brien, it should be remembered, has won the past two editions of the Derby with horses, August Rodin and City of Troy, who completely bombed out in the Guineas. The Lion in Winter did not totally bomb out when fourth in the Dante, is sure to come on for the run and the freshness he showed at York might be out of his system now.

I dare say O’Brien is not losing sleep over it, but the Irish have never won the Derby when the year has ended in a ‘5’ in two and a half centuries, but for those who like quirky statistics it might be one to bear in mind.

Stall 19, considered a bad draw, could also help The Lion in Winter. Wayne Lordon can get cover for the first two furlongs round the right-handed dog leg start and if he is still pulling at the end of that, then he does not deserve to win the Derby anyway.

There are also two dark ‘could be anything’ horses in the race; one is Beckett’s de-facto second string’ Stanhope Gardens who finished within a neck of Delacroix at Newmarket last autumn, and warmed up unconventionally for this with a simple workout in a mile race put on for his benefit a fortnight ago.

Beckett has Epsom form also in this department. In 2013 his Talent, a 20-1 shot, beat the much fancied 3-1 stable first-string Secret Gesture in the Oaks. By all accounts Stanhope Gardens comes off the gallops as if, in his own mind, he has already won the Derby.

The other dark horse is the unbeaten French raider Midak who runs under the Aga Khan Stud’s banner in a Derby which is run in commemoration of his late owner-breeder Aga Khan. His sire might have been a miler but he is out of one of the Aga Khan’s staying mares and has already won over a mile and three furlongs. It is a big step up in class but stranger things have happened.

There is nearly always a long priced runner in the shake up in the Derby so the second of the two French runners, New Ground, might be one for the tricast.

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