It all feels a lot like Christmas for O’Brien and Coolmore at Epsom
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 6 Jun 2026
When your name is Aidan O’Brien you might think every day is Christmas – but given Christmas Day at one stage looked fourth choice of the Ballydoyle contingent in this year’s Betfred Derby, victory for the well-backed colt proved a real gift for punters.
Heavily supported from 25-1 into 7-1, Christmas Day, who had been third in the Dante at York, propelled Ronan Whelan into the spotlight 52 years on from Santa Claus galloping to victory in the world’s most famous Flat race.
For O’Brien it was an incredible 12th Derby and a 50th British Classic, while for Coolmore supremo John Magnier – who rang O’Brien in the middle of the post-race press conference after yet another triumph on the Surrey Downs – it all felt very apt.
“The boss just said it feels like Christmas,” laughed O’Brien – and given the weather was more akin to December than June, who could blame him.
“When he ran in the Dante we thought he’d run well, but also that he’d improve for it. Ryan (Moore) rode him there and it turned into a bit of a sprint. We thought it would be a true race today and that he’d stay a mile and a half and he went through the line very strong.
“He’s always been a very good-looking horse, but an unassuming, uncomplicated one. It isn’t always the obvious horse – I suppose that’s what makes it exciting.
“To win one Classic is so difficult, let alone 50. I’m so delighted to win big races for John and Sue (Magnier) and Michael and Doreen (Tabor) and Derrick and Sarah (Smith), because they put so much into it and that’s what allows it to happen.
“He’s the first Camelot (race winner in 2012) Derby winner, he’s an unbelievable stallion. They stay, they’re tough, they have everything. I’m so delighted for everybody.”
Whelan was a ninth different jockey on O’Brien’s 12 Derby dozen, having only started his association with the yard two years ago.
“When Ronan started riding out for us a couple of years ago we were delighted as he’s a grand fella,” O’Brien continued.
“He’s been with us more days this year than last and is getting more rides and he rode two Group One winners last year.
“He’s a very good rider, very experienced, a strong rider and a lovely fella to deal with.”
Thirty-three-year-old Whelan was adding the Derby to his Futurity Trophy and Fillies’ Mile victories on Hawk Mountain and Precise last season, cementing his status as something of a Ballydoyle super-sub.
Whelan said: “I just can’t quite believe it, I’m sat here next to Aidan O’Brien having just won the Derby!
“The plan was to go forward and I was happy enough beside Wayne (Lordan, on Action) and after the four-furlong pole I could see him moving and my lad started coming alive, after that I knew I was going to run a big race.
“When we straightened up I gave him a squeeze from the two to the one I was thinking ‘I’ve won the Derby!’.
“When you ride for Aidan he takes all the pressure off and if you get beat he just says there’ll always be another day.
“To be riding here for these connections in this atmosphere, it is the stuff of dreams and it hasn’t really sunk in to be honest – I’m just a bit stunned.”
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