Ballydoyle-based trainer Aidan O’Brien says Epsom Derby hero Lambourn is likely to head to the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday in an attempt to emulate his sire Australia and win the English and Irish Derbies.
Auguste Rodin was the fifth O’Brien-trained colt to become a dual Derby winner when following up at the Curragh in 2023, joining Australia (2014), Camelot (2012), High Chaparral (2002) and Galileo (2001), who are among 19 horses who have landed the historic double. Lambourn has been installed as 4-5 favorite to become the 20th Epsom winner to follow up at the Curragh and is also well fancied by bookmakers to add another British classic, having seen his odds cut into 5-2 favorite for the St Leger in September. Lambourn like most of the top horses that O’Brien trains, is owned by the Coolmore group, who are based in Fethard, in south Tipperary. O’Brien said of Ballydoyle’s 11th Epsom Derby winner: ‘‘Lambourn is a brave horse who stays well and Wayne Lordan gave him a great ride, he kept going really well. We will see how he is but at the moment, we are thinking of going to the Irish Derby. Wayne is a great fella, we are absolutely delighted for him. When asked whether Lambourn could be a St Leger contender, O’Brien said: ‘‘He definitely could stay further. The way his mind is and how relaxed he is, there's a good chance he could.’’
On Saturday one of O’Brien’s main rivals for the big race at The Curragh could be his son Joseph, who trains Tennessee Stud. He was third at Epsom and might get closer this time if Lambourn is not allowed to get away on his own this time. It promises to be a big weekend for the Curragh as the Kildare track will have three days of speed, style, and spectacle to celebrate 160 years of Irish Derby history.
