Camille Pissarro picture perfect for O'Brien in French Derby
Jockey Ryan Moore had to battle to find room on the inside, but once the Englishman squeezed through a gap between the long time leaders Bowmark and Trinity College he surged clear.
Cualificar, trained by 79-year-old legend Andre Fabre, finished second with English raider Detain third and the winner's valiant stablemate Trinity College fourth.
Camille Pissarro has found France a rich hunting ground, winning a Group One last year and then third in the French 2000 Guineas last time out.
Indeed it was thanks to Christophe Soumillon, his jockey in the Guineas, that O'Brien was minded to run him at Chantilly as the Belgium-born ace said he would stay the extra distance.
"Yes a great run," said O'Brien, whose previous winner came in 2021 with St Mark's Basilica.
"It is incredible, I am absolutely delighted as we were worried about the trip.
"Christophe was sure he would stay and Ryan gave him a great ride.
"I am over the moon," added the 55-year-old Irishman.
For Moore, 41, and O'Brien it was their second classic win in France this campaign, having landed the French 2000 Guineas with Henri Matisse last month.
"The horse did everything right," said Moore whose previous win in the race came on The Grey Gatsby in 2014.
"Aidan had him in a beautiful frame of mind.
"I had to wait for a bit of room but once we found it, he had a superb burst of acceleration.
"I could not be more happy with him."
Soumillon despite his perspicacious advice to O'Brien had to give way to Moore for the ride, and was third on Detain.
The four-time French Derby winning jockey, who turns 44 on Wednesday, was graceful in defeat, riding up to Moore and shaking his hand before patting Camille Pissarro on the head.
© 2025 AFP
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