Derby declarations: Benvenuto Cellini leads four-strong Aidan O’Brien team Benvenuto Cellini heads the 14 declarations for the Betfred Derby as Aidan O’Brien launches a four-strong assault in search of a record-extending 12th success in the Epsom Classic. The master of Ballydoyle has proved unbeatable on the Surrey Downs in recent years with this year’s contingent attempting to make it four-in-a-row for the Irishman after Auguste Rodin (2023), City Of Troy (2024) and Lambourn’s (2025) respective triumphs. Chester Vase winner Benvenuto Cellini will be joined by stablemates Pierre Bonnard, Action and Christmas Day, with Pierre Bonnard held in the highest regard despite yet to strike this term and the latter pair arriving having finished second and third respectively in the Dante. Unbeaten Dante Star heads strength in opposition The winner at York that day was Item, who is one of two in the race for Andrew Balding alongside A Taste Of Glory, and is regarded by the bookmakers as the most likely challenger to the Ballydoyle-trained favourite having enhanced his unbeaten record on the Knavesmire. William Haggas’ Maltese Cross made it two from two for the year when edging out Ralph Beckett’s Bay Of Brilliance and will lock horns again on the Surrey Downs, with Charlie Johnston’s Ancient Egypt another British-trained contender having impressed in the Newmarket Stakes. Also heading to Epsom on a high is Joseph O’Brien’s James J Braddock who having downed the aforementioned Pierre Bonnard at Leopardstown, will seek to land another telling blow in a race his handler won twice as a jockey aboard Camelot (2012) and Australia (2014). Jane Chapple-Hyam and Faye Bramley will both try to become the first female trainer to win the Derby when saddling Balzac and Rebel Rocker respectively, with the field completed by Karl Burke’s 4.3million guineas yearling Poker and Richard Hannon’s Alderman, who both head into the race as maidens.
