Christmas Day surged to victory in the Derby at Epsom, giving Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien a record-extending 12th win in the prestigious Classic. With Ronan Whelan in the saddle, the 7-1 son of 2012 Derby winner Camelot pulled away decisively in the final stages, defeating Maltese Cross and James J Braddock in a commanding display.

"It was just so easy," Whelan told ITV Racing. O'Brien emphasized Christmas Day's genuine nature, stating the horse "has done nothing but improve" and excels on soft ground. The win marked O'Brien's 50th triumph in a British Classic, reinforcing his position as racing's dominant force in these historic events.

O'Brien had four runners in the race, including favorite Benvenuto Cellini, who was declared a non-runner as he still had a leg on the side of the stalls. The trainer acknowledged his team's collective effort, noting "everyone knows I'm a small part of a big team at Ballydoyle" as his operation continues its remarkable run at the highest level of horse racing.