Christmas Day claims Epsom Derby victory for O'Brien
5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 6, 2026, 3:56 PM
Last updated Jun 6, 2026
Christmas Day won the Derby at Epsom on June 6, 2026, marking Aidan O'Brien's record-extending 12th victory in the Classic. Jockey Ronan Whelan rode the 7-1 shot, who pulled ahead in the final stages after being positioned well throughout the race. Maltese Cross finished in second place, followed by James J Braddock in third. The race was held in soft ground conditions, and O'Brien expressed delight at the performance, noting the horse's improvement and adaptability.
- •Christmas Day won the Derby at Epsom on June 6, 2026.
- •O'Brien achieved his 12th Epsom Derby win with this victory.
- •Ronan Whelan was the jockey for Christmas Day.
- •Maltese Cross finished second, James J Braddock third.
- •The race was run in challenging soft ground conditions.
- 3:56 PMYahoo Sports — Christmas Day lights up Epsom Derby as O'Brien makes more history
- 3:30 PMYahoo Sports — Christmas Day surges to Epsom Derby win for O'Brien
- 3:30 PMBBC Sport — Christmas Day surges to Epsom Derby win for O'Brien
- 3:27 PMThe Guardian Sport — Christmas Day arrives on Derby day to give Aidan O’Brien 12th winner in race
"Winner never looked in danger after turning into straight Favourite Benvenuto Cellini non-runner after stalls incident Christmas Day won the Derby at Epsom for trainer Aidan O’Brien, revelling in the rain-soaked soft ground to give his handler a 12th win in Britain’s premier Classic. The 7-1 shot was up with the pace from the start and the result never looked in danger soon after entering the straight, staying on strongly to the line and repelling a ate challenge from Maltese Cross. Continue reading...
"Aidan O'Brien became the first trainer to win four successive Epsom Derbies when Christmas Day eased to victory on Saturday.Christmas Day was not the most fancied of O'Brien's four runners, but the 7/1 chance was given a superb ride by Ronan Whelan, who was winning the Derby for the first time.
"Christmas Day surges to victory in the Derby at Epsom to give Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien a record-extending 12th win in the Classic.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 6, 2026, 3:56 PMChristmas Day lights up Epsom Derby as O'Brien makes more history
Aidan O'Brien became the first trainer to win four successive Epsom Derbies when Christmas Day eased to victory on Saturday.Christmas Day was not the most fancied of O'Brien's four runners, but the 7/1 chance was given a superb ride by Ronan Whelan, who was winning the Derby for the first time.
- Yahoo SportsJun 6, 2026, 3:30 PMChristmas Day surges to Epsom Derby win for O'Brien
Christmas Day surges to victory in the Derby at Epsom to give Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien a record-extending 12th win in the Classic.
- BBC SportJun 6, 2026, 3:30 PMChristmas Day surges to Epsom Derby win for O'Brien
Christmas Day surges to victory in the Derby at Epsom to give Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien a record-extending 12th win in the Classic.
- The Guardian SportJun 6, 2026, 3:27 PMChristmas Day arrives on Derby day to give Aidan O’Brien 12th winner in race
Winner never looked in danger after turning into straight Favourite Benvenuto Cellini non-runner after stalls incident Christmas Day won the Derby at Epsom for trainer Aidan O’Brien, revelling in the rain-soaked soft ground to give his handler a 12th win in Britain’s premier Classic. The 7-1 shot was up with the pace from the start and the result never looked in danger soon after entering the straight, staying on strongly to the line and repelling a ate challenge from Maltese Cross. Continue reading...
- Sky Sports—Christmas Day delivers Derby victory for O'Brien
Christmas Day provided Aidan O'Brien with his 12th victory in the Betfred Derby at Epsom.
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