Christmas Day wins Derby as Benvenuto saga erupts

Christmas Day roared to a 247th Betfred Derby win at Epsom on Christmas morning as Aidan O’Brien secured a fourth straight success. Ronan Whelan’s late hold off Maltese Cross came after Epsom stewards declared 3/1 favourite Benvenuto Cellini a non-runner, refu

Christmas Day arrived at Epsom like it had been timed to the calendar—only it was the morning that cracked the Betfred Derby wide open.

Aidan O’Brien’s contender. ridden by Ronan Whelan. powered to a two-and three-quarter length victory in the 247th running of the blue riband. giving the Ballydoyle trainer an historic fourth successive Derby win. It was also O’Brien’s 12th triumph in the race and his 50th Betfred British Classic success. with the first coming 28 years ago when King Of Kings won the 1998 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The atmosphere outside the parade ring had the feel of Cheltenham more than Epsom. Strong winds and intermittent driving rain battered the day. and the 33-year-old Whelan—already out in front before the three-furlong marker—took the fight to the field on the son of Camelot. Under heavy pressure. his mount found plenty to fend off the William Haggas-trained Maltese Cross. ridden by Tom Marquand. in the slowest time since Teenoso won on heavy ground in 1983.

But the biggest shock came before the winner even had time to soak up the moment.

As the Derby unfolded. Epsom’s stewards called an inquiry and. in an unprecedented move. deemed 3/1 favourite Benvenuto Cellini—a race favourite for O’Brien and one of four runners—unable to take his place properly after Ryan Moore was listed as a non-runner following an issue. Moore had been found to have his left hind leg on the running board just before the stalls opened.

Benvenuto Cellini’s treatment landed like a thunderclap for most racegoers. The horse had appeared to cause the stalls’ issue himself, and the rule invoked by the stewards, H6, had been introduced to cater for problems with the starting stalls or circumstances outside of a horse or jockey’s control.

The consequences were immediate in the betting ring. All punters who backed Benvenuto Cellini, ridden by Ryan Moore, were refunded their stakes. Those who backed the winner or any of the placed horses faced a 25p Rule 4 deduction in the pound on their returns, as post-race confusion reigned.

To avoid the betting fallout engulfing Derby Day completely, several bookmakers decided to waive the deduction and payout fully on the result.

Shaun Parker, head of stewarding, explained what happened when the horses were about to leave the starting gates.

“When the horses left the starting gates, we were notified that the favourite had his left hind leg on the running board just before the start was effected,” Parker said.

He continued: “This resulted in him not being able to jump on terms with the field as he was standing on three legs when the stalls opened.”

Parker said stewards then considered that Benvenuto Cellini had been denied a fair start. He added that. after getting evidence from Ryan Moore about his instructions and where he wanted to be—going forward with the horse—Benvenuto Cellini was very slowly into stride and was second last shortly after the start.

In stewards’ view, the horse was negatively affected, and using rule H6 they could declare him a non-runner. Parker also pointed out that while Benvenuto Cellini could have been deemed a non-runner, with a win he was not materially affected and would stay as the winner if the horse did prevail.

The final picture at Epsom was starkly different for Whelan. The rider was emotional and blissfully unaware of the disruption that had landed in the stewards’ room. After the trophy moment—receiving it in the winner’s enclosure with King Charles III and Queen Camilla—Whelan framed his victory as something he felt building before the race.

“I was chatting with my girlfriend flying over here and I said to her I can feel something big is going to happen. That sounds stupid, but I had a good feeling coming into the race and the vibes were good,” the Co Kildare rider said.

Whelan also tied that instinct to the fact he was riding for O’Brien.

“To be honest, if you’re riding for Aidan in any race, you’re going to have a good feeling!”

What made it even more intense for him was the return of his father to the centre of the story. Whelan said Tom Whelan led him back to Epsom’s winner’s enclosure after the Derby.

“He has had to put up with a lot with me and, while these are good days, there are a lot of bad days too,” Whelan said.

He added: “A lot of other people have also stuck by me, but to have him leading me in was everything.”

Whelan described the scene with a pride that came through even in his excitement.

“I said to him, ‘Dad you’re leading in your son after winning the Derby’ and there will be no man going round the sales prouder than big Tom!”

Earlier on a weather-beaten card, Bay City Roller and Oisin Murphy produced another headline by handing Newmarket trainer George Scott a first UK Group 1 success in the Coolmore Coronation Cup. The hot favourite, Calandagan, flopped on the soft ground.

For Bay City Roller. the job was clear: “bye bye baby” to the Coolmore Coronation Cup rivals. as the race concluded after a day already defined by wind. rain. and a Derby decision that threatened to steal the spotlight—until the winner finally stood. ribbon in hand. and the noise settled around Christmas Day.

Epsom Derby Christmas Day Aidan O’Brien Ronan Whelan Benvenuto Cellini Ryan Moore Maltese Cross Tom Marquand Shaun Parker Betfred Derby Coolmore Coronation Cup Bay City Roller Oisin Murphy George Scott Calandagan