The Epsom Derby produced both a clear winner and a messy controversy when the pre-race favorite failed to start. Christmas Day, a Camelot colt trained by Aidan O’Brien, led from the early stages and drew off to win by three lengths under jockey Ronan Whelan. Maltese Cross finished second, followed by James J. Braddock, trained by Aidan’s son, Joseph Patrick O’Brien. The favorite, Benvenuto Cellini, a Frankel colt who won the Chester Vase in his previous start, struggled home 10th.
Stewards reviewed an overhead video of the start and determined that Benvenuto Cellini had one hind leg resting on a shelf inside the gate at the time the doors opened, preventing him from pushing off cleanly. He was declared a non-starter, a ruling that triggered refunds for bookmakers and bettors but did not change the official result.
“It isn’t always the obvious horse,” O’Brien told the Racing Post. “I suppose that’s what makes it exciting and Ronan gave him a great ride. He was always in the right position. We felt that the horse was better than he had shown in the Dante and he has form on soft ground, but he stays and he’s hard.”
The Coronation Cup brought a similarly emphatic victory on the same rain-soaked course. Bay City Roller, a 4-year-old New Bay colt trained by George Scott, sat in contention through the early stages under jockey Oisin Murphy, then swung out to the center of the track around Tattenham Corner and exploded away to win by 10 lengths. Jan Breugel was second, 5 1/2 lengths ahead of 2025 Derby winner Lambourn. Calandagan, the world’s top-rated horse for 2025, faded around the turn and was eased home fourth, more than 40 lengths behind.
“He’s a consummate professional, a freak of a horse,” Scott said. “I’m so pleased he’s proved how good he is today. When the weather looked like it might turn, I was keen to prepare him for this race, and from that point onward, it was inevitable we were going to run. He stays so well and a mile and one-half on soft ground is his bread and butter.”
Trainer Francis Graffard expressed regret over running Calandagan in the conditions. “It’s awful ground and awful weather,” Graffard said. “My horse never traveled and I’m upset with myself. I’ve never seen him having a hard blow like that (after a race). I just hope he comes out well, but the ground was terrible for him today. Mickael (jockey Mickael Barzalona) said he never traveled comfortably and that the ground is too testing for him. I shouldn’t have run him.”
The Oaks on Friday provided a breakthrough for the younger O’Brien. Thundering On, a Frankel filly trained by Joseph Patrick O’Brien and ridden by Irish champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, rallied from near the rear of the field to win by 3 1/4 lengths. Aidan O’Brien’s trio of Sugar Island, Cameo and the favorite, Amelia Earhart, finished third, fifth and sixth respectively. McMonagle is 25; Joseph Patrick O’Brien is 33.
In Tokyo, the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen produced a surprise winner as Sixpence, ridden by Yutaka Take at age 57, tracked early leader World’s End, closed the gap in the final 200 meters and prevailed by a neck. World’s End and the favorite, Gaia Force, dead-heated for second. Sixpence earned a “Win and You’re In” spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
Take, who was a late replacement in the saddle, said he was told Sixpence “was capable to maintain good speed to the wire. So, my plan was to have him up front, even lead if necessary, and although the front runners were pretty tenacious in the final stretch with horses also coming from behind, Sixpence was very responsive.”