Christmas Day surges to Derby win at Epsom for Aidan O’Brien

Christmas Day surged to victory in the Derby at Epsom to give Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien a record-extending 12th win in the Classic.

With Ronan Whelan in the saddle, the 7-1 son of 2012 Derby winner Camelot was just behind Action before pulling away in the final stages and storming home.

Maltese Cross, ridden by Tom Maquand, was second, while James J Braddock, with jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, came in third.

“It was just so easy,” Whelan told ITV Racing. “Aidan just told me to keep it simple.

“The horse has done it so easy. He loves the ground and it just felt so effortless for him.”

Christmas Day’s win gave Ballydoyle handler O’Brien his 50th triumph in a British Classic.

“He’s done nothing but improve this horse, he’s so genuine and he stays and handles soft ground,” said O’Brien. “Ronan gave him a beautiful ride, he was so confident on him.”

“Everyone knows I’m a small part of a big team at Ballydoyle, there’s a lot of people doing lots of jobs, in the offices, on the ground, people I don’t mention.

“It’s unbelievable that he’s by Camelot, who won the Derby for us as well when Joseph [O’Brien] rode him and Joseph’s horse [James J Braddock] ran well.”

O’Brien had four runners in the race with Christmas Day, Action, Pierre Bonnard and favourite Benvenuto Cellini, who was declared a non-runner as he still had a leg on the side of the stalls as they opened.