Christmas Day at Epsom saw Aidan O'Brien claim his 12th Betfred Derby win. Saddling four runners, he targeted a dozen triumphs and his 50th British Classic. Benvenuto Cellini and Pierre Bonnard were the first two to go to the market, but the focus turned to Christmas Day, ridden by Ronan Whelan, as the crowd cheered and the turf turned slick.

The colt, a son of 2012 Derby champion Camelot, surged past his stablemates and won by two‑and‑three‑quarter lengths. Maltese Cross finished second, while James J Braddock took third. O'Brien praised the horse’s improvement and soft‑ground prowess, noting Whelan’s confident ride and the team’s collective effort at Ballydoyle. The victory cements O'Brien’s legacy and fuels the Coolmore dynasty’s prestige in the.

After the finish, O'Brien highlighted the role of the Ballydoyle crew, from offices to the track, and celebrated Camelot’s lineage. Whelan described the run as effortless, crediting the horse’s temperament. A betting controversy arose when Benvenuto Cellini was declared a non‑runner after a stall issue, sparking stewards’ review. The Derby win confirms O'Brien’s dominance and cements place among racing legends.