O’Brien eyes 12th Derby victory in ‘ultimate test’ of a thoroughbred Aidan O’Brien has reiterated his belief the Betfred Derby represents the “ultimate test” of a thoroughbred ahead of his bid for a record-extending 12th victory in the premier Classic at Epsom on Saturday. It is 25 years since the great Galileo got the Ballydoyle handler off the mark and his stranglehold on the blue riband is illustrated by the fact nine of his wins have come in the last 14 years. He is in fact on a four-timer after Auguste Rodin (2023), City Of Troy (2024) and Lambourn (2025). As ever O’Brien holds a formidable hand, with hot favourite Benvenuto Cellini joined by a trio of high-class stablemates – but the trainer, who enjoyed a one-two-three in the French Derby just last weekend, is taking nothing for granted. He said: “Epsom is the ultimate test in every way. It tests them mentally, physically, left and right. There is no second to Epsom anywhere in the world, the test it is because of the contour of the track, the atmosphere and the strain. “Someone asked me what is the best Derby winner we’ve had and I would say Galileo, who proved to be one of the greatest stallions ever after it – that is what that place does. It’s very tough on horses, but you will get the blood you really want going forward usually. “It’s a unique place and that is why the Derby is what it is. It engages the whole thoroughbred breed and tests them in every way. There is no other race or track anywhere in the world that can do it like that. “There is nowhere to hide. You have to have pace, ability, you have to stay and you have to be like concrete mentally. All the things are tested.” While Prix du Jockey Club hero Constitution River was in the mix for Epsom for a while, emphatic Chester Vase winner Benvenuto Cellini always looked the horse most likely to lead O’Brien’s challenge on the Surrey Downs. “We’re very happy with him, he’s a beautiful moving horse, everything has gone well since the last day and he’s drawn nicely (stall 12),” the trainer added. “He’s a big, high cruiser and we always thought Epsom wouldn’t be a problem to him. We always felt he was a mile-and-a-half horse that would be very comfortable with dropping back to a mile and a quarter. We always thought that he was classy, so we’re looking forward to seeing him.” Pierre Bonnard went into his winter quarters as Derby favourite after rounding off his juvenile campaign with a Group One triumph in France – and although he has blotted his copybook with a couple of defeats this spring, O’Brien has repeatedly warned punters to expect a different horse come the big day. He said: “We always wanted to give him two runs (before the Derby) and we were always conscious we didn’t want to have him too ready too early because he was a very big horse last year and we wanted to try and let him get as strong as he could before he really had to knuckle down. “He made lovely progress from the first day to the second day, we’re happy with where he is and happy that he’s had the two runs. Everything is good with him. “I suppose a lot is going to depend on what way the ground is going to be and how slow it is going to get.” Christophe Soumillon steered Pierre Bonnard to wins at Newmarket and Saint-Cloud last season and is delighted to be back on board for the first time since. “For me he is a top-class horse and after I rode him I thought both times he is a champion horse,” said the masterful Belgian, who is still searching for Derby glory. “I know you are not truly able to know if a horse is truly going to enjoy the track at Epsom, but the way he galloped last year, I thought he would be great for the race this season. “It’s a great privilege to ride for such an amazing team. There is always some pressure, but it is a good pressure as you know you are riding amazing horses and there is no space for mistakes. You have to do your best every time to ensure they get the best results possible.” The quartet is completed by Action and Christmas Day, second and third respectively in the Dante Stakes at York last month. “Action is a lovely horse and a big cruiser. He’s was very babyish at Sandown and improved lovely to the Dante and we think he’s come forward again since,” O’Brien said. “He’s a half-brother to the horse that won the Derby last year (Lambourn) and everything he’s doing we’ve been very happy with. “Christmas Day is love`ly too since York and we think the mile and a half will help him as well.”
