Lambourn toughs it out to land Derby double
Sent off the 8-13 favourite to repeat his Epsom triumph, Ryan Moore tried to replicate Wayne Lordan's inspired front-running ride on the Surrey Downs, but met stern resistance from Ralph Beckett's second-string Sir Dinadan who refused to let Lambourn get his own way in front.
Moore stoked up the Epsom hero rounding the home turn and although Sir Dinadan's challenge began to wilt, it was Ballydoyle stablemate and King George V Stakes runner-up Serious Contender in the hands of Gavin Ryan who loomed large looking a huge threat.
The Ballydoyle pair began to duel inside the final furlong, but Lambourn proved a willing ally for Moore as his stamina and Classic quality came to the fore to win by three-quarters of a length and earn a place in the history books alongside his sire Australia and grand-sire Galileo who also did the Anglo-Irish Derby double.
Serious Contender finished second at 28-1, with Charlie Johnston's Epsom runner-up Lazy Griff staying on for third at 14-1.
'He's a very straightforward horse that gets the trip well,' said O'Brien.
'Ryan was going to be happy if someone came with him as that keeps him focused. He's a little bit laid-back, a little bit lazy and you could see up the straight he was waiting all the time but that's him. Ryan gave him a lovely ride.
'Ryan thought he would keep pulling out and he was pricking his ears all the way.
'He could be a King George horse, he could be an Arc horse. He gets the trip well and is very sound and very genuine.
'We minded the second horse for a handicap in Ascot that we thought he couldn't get beat and then a horse came and beat us that was entered in the King George so it just goes to show what can happen.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Everyone needs to change' – Aidan O'Brien drops his guard in passionate TV interview after Lambourn wins Irish Derby
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE usually unflappable Aidan O'Brien dropped his guard in a passionate TV interview after Lambourn won the Irish Derby. The Ballydoyle boss was responding to criticism of the Curragh card on one of their biggest weekends of the season. 1 Aidan O'Brien offered a rare glimpse into his soul as he dropped his guard in a passionate interview regarding the current state of racing Credit: Getty Some punters claimed a series of lower-grade handicaps ruined what should have been three days of top class action. And, in their opinion, that led to a load of people snubbing the track - in a mirror of punters deserting Epsom for our Derby. Racing TV presenter Kevin O'Ryan said he hadn't seen as big a crowd for an Irish Derby 'in a long time'. But official figures showed the attendance had actually dropped from last year - when 11,400 racegoers were there compared to 11,200 this year. O'Brien, the biggest Flat trainer in the sport, wasn't having any of the criticism. And he said people had to vote with their feet and get to the track to feel the atmosphere, because that is what will keep them coming back. Getting uncharacteristically animated, a lit-up O'Brien said: "I think most of the criticism is unfair. "If everyone just gets it into their head to tell people to come racing - not to be critical and not how bad it is - tell people how good it is! "It's the greatest nonsense, it's negativity at its strongest. "Tell people how good it is and everyone will come and have a good time "That's the problem - everyone in racing needs to change. "Tell people how great it is and come and feel it. "The more people who come the better the atmosphere, the more things will happen and be put on. "We're all in this world at this time, enjoy it and get together and have a great time. "Try not to be negative, be positive! "If you're positive all the positive things will happen. If you're negative all the negative things will come. "Everybody, try to be more positive. "Believe me it will be so much better for everybody because all anyone wants to do is get people in and help everyone and do the best they can for everyone." ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell was among those praising O'Brien, saying he was 'bang on the money'. Not everyone was convinced, however. At a time when racecourse are coming under increased scrutiny for ticket and food prices as well as the quality on show on the track, one said: "What he's basically say is sweep the bad things under the carpet? No thanks." O'Brien was speaking after Lambourn made it a Derby double following his win at Epsom earlier this month. The Ryan Moore-ridden 8-13 fav looked under the cosh four furlongs out as his jockey got down to serious work in the saddle. But he simply kept finding and repelled all challengers, including shock 28-1 runner-up Serious Contender. He was beaten a length by King George V Stakes handicap winner Merchant at Royal Ascot. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
‘Everyone needs to change' – Aidan O'Brien drops his guard in passionate TV interview after Lambourn wins Irish Derby
THE usually unflappable Aidan O'Brien dropped his guard in a passionate TV interview after Lambourn won the Irish Derby. The Ballydoyle boss was responding to criticism of the Curragh card on one of their biggest weekends of the season. 1 Some punters claimed a series of lower-grade handicaps ruined what should have been three days of top class action. And, in their opinion, that led to a load of people snubbing the track - in a mirror of punters deserting Epsom for our Derby. Racing TV presenter Kevin O'Ryan said he hadn't seen as big a crowd for an Irish Derby 'in a long time'. But official figures showed the attendance had actually dropped from last year - when 11,400 racegoers were there compared to 11,200 this year. O'Brien, the biggest Flat trainer in the sport, wasn't having any of the criticism. And he said people had to vote with their feet and get to the track to feel the atmosphere, because that is what will keep them coming back. Getting uncharacteristically animated, a lit-up O'Brien said: "I think most of the criticism is unfair. "If everyone just gets it into their head to tell people to come racing - not to be critical and not how bad it is - tell people how good it is! "It's the greatest nonsense, it's negativity at its strongest. "Tell people how good it is and everyone will come and have a good time "That's the problem - everyone in racing needs to change. "Tell people how great it is and come and feel it. "The more people who come the better the atmosphere, the more things will happen and be put on. "We're all in this world at this time, enjoy it and get together and have a great time. "Try not to be negative, be positive! "If you're positive all the positive things will happen. If you're negative all the negative things will come. "Everybody, try to be more positive. "Believe me it will be so much better for everybody because all anyone wants to do is get people in and help everyone and do the best they can for everyone." ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell was among those praising O'Brien, saying he was 'bang on the money'. Not everyone was convinced, however. At a time when racecourse are coming under increased scrutiny for ticket and food prices as well as the quality on show on the track, one said: "What he's basically say is sweep the bad things under the carpet? No thanks." O'Brien was speaking after Lambourn made it a Derby double following his win at Epsom earlier this month. The Ryan Moore-ridden 8-13 fav looked under the cosh four furlongs out as his jockey got down to serious work in the saddle. But he simply kept finding and repelled all challengers, including shock 28-1 runner-up Serious Contender. He was beaten a length by King George V Stakes handicap winner Merchant at Royal Ascot. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Ryan Moore becomes first jockey to win the Irish Derby three years in a row as Lambourn secures victory
Ryan Moore became the first jockey to win the Irish Derby for three consecutive years as Lambourn showed his Epsom success was no fluke. Lambourn, trained by Aidan O'Brien, caused a surprise when he led all the way at Epsom on June 7 but the 8-13 favourite proved himself to be the outstanding middle-distance colt of his generation when beating stablemate Serious Contender by three-quarters of a length at the Curragh. Lazy Griff, Charlie Johnston's runner who has traded blows with Lambourn at Chester and Epsom this season, finished third. Moore, who earlier on the card had given Newmarket trainer Ed Dunlop a welcome winner with Skukuza, hopes Lambourn will develop into a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe contender. Moore said: 'It was no surprise he won at Epsom — he is talented. But we haven't seen the best of him. He was stuck out wide and he was never going to win by much. But it always felt that he was going to win.' It remains to be seen whether Lambourn will run in the Betfred St Leger in September but that race is firmly on the agenda of Lazy Griff. 'An extra two-and-a-bit furlongs at Doncaster will be right up his street,' said Johnston. 'If Lambourn is there, bring on round four.'
