O’Brien’s Perfect Ten: Ballydoyle Derby Heroes
Already the most successful trainer in the history of Britain’s greatest flat race, 2024 saw Aidan O’Brien break new ground in the Epsom Derby, as he became the first trainer to move into double figures in wins in the most influential event of the year.
Considering the first edition of the 1m4f Classic took place way back in 1780, that is some achievement for the Ballydoyle maestro, and, given the wealth of talent at his disposal, it would be no surprise to see him add to that tally before heading into retirement – likely some way off for the 54-year-old.
Whenever the time comes for O’Brien to hand over the keys to the County Tipperary yard, he can rest assured that he has compiled one of the most impressive chapters in the annals of racing history.
Joining O’Brien in racing legend will be the horses who have propelled the unassuming handler to the summit: many stars will be remembered, but few more so than his Derby kings. Here, we look back at the ten champions who handed O'Brien the prize which every trainer dreams of.
2001 – Galileo
Sire: Sadler’s Wells
Other Group 1 Wins: Irish Derby (2001), King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (2001)
Legacy: Others on this list may have achieved a little more on the track, but none come close to matching Galileo’s influence on horse racing in the 21st Century. Brilliant as he was as a racehorse, Galileo was nothing short of a phenomenon as a sire. Champion sire in Great Britain & Ireland on no fewer than 12 occasions, he smashed his own sire's record for the most European Group winners and beat Danehill’s tally for the most individual Group 1 winners. Passing away in 2021, he leaves a gaping hole in the breeding industry, but his influence will endure through his superstar stallion sons – headlined by the mighty Frankel.
2002 – High Chapparal
Sire: Sadler’s Wells
Other Group 1 Wins: Racing Post Trophy (2001), Irish Derby (2002), Breeders' Cup Turf (2002, 2003), Irish Champion Stakes (2003)
Legacy: Another son of the formidable Sadler’s Wells - High Chaparral upset stablemate Hawk Wing when staying on best to land the 2002 Epsom Derby. Unlike Galileo, High Chaparral remained in training as a four-year-old – to considerable effect, landing both the Irish Champion Stakes and his second Breeders' Cup Turf when dead-heating with Johar in a thriller. Whilst no match for Galileo, by any other measure, High Chapparal would be rated a huge success at stud, with his offspring including the ten-time Group 1 winner So You Think and one of the greatest chasers of the modern era – Altior.
2012 – Camelot
Sire: Montjeu
Other Group 1 Wins: Racing Post Trophy (2011), 2000 Guineas (2012), Irish Derby (2012)
Legacy: As of 2024, the 1970 superstar, Nijinsky, remains the last horse to complete the British Triple Crown. However, no horse has come closer to repeating the feat than Camelot. Successful in the 2000 Guineas and Derby, Camelot then finished an agonising second to Encke in the St. Leger at Doncaster. With sire Montjeu being a son of Sadler’s Wells, Camelot continued the familiar breeding theme coursing through O’Brien’s Derby triumphs. Camelot has also tasted success at stud, with the pick of his progeny being the 2024 Coronation Cup champ, Luxembourg.
2013 – Ruler of the World
Sire: Galileo
Other Group 1 Wins: None
Legacy: The Jim Bolger-trained New Approach provided Galileo with his first Derby success as a sire, but his first for his former handler came in 2013. Never hitting the heights of his predecessors, Ruler Of The World’s sole subsequent success came in the Group 2 Prix Foy at Longchamp. Now a successful stallion, Ruler Of The World has given us the Group 1 winning fillies Iridessa and La Petite Coco.
2014 – Australia
Sire: Galileo
Other Group 1 Wins: Irish Derby (2014), Juddmonte International (2014)
Legacy: By Galileo and out of the Oaks, Irish Oaks, Breeders Cup Filly & Mare, Hong Kong Vase, and Nassau Stakes winning mare, Ouija Board, Australia was one of the most beautifully bred individuals of his generation. Backing up his smooth Derby success with another in the Irish version of the race, he retired to a life at stud at the end of his Classic campaign. Whilst yet to produce a genuine superstar, the likes of Broome, Order Of Australia, Sir Ron Priestley, and Adelaide River have all hit the mark in Group company.
2017 – Wings Of Eagles
Sire: Pour Moi
Other Group 1 Wins: None
Legacy: Sired by the Derby-winning son of Montjeu, Pour Moi, Wings Of Eagles claimed Epsom glory in a style eerily reminiscent of his father when causing a 40/1 shock in 2017. Unfortunately, the colt was injured in his next start in the Irish Derby and immediately retired to stud upon his recuperation. So far, Wings Of Eagles has struggled to hit the heights as a sire, having relocated to Australia to take up stallion duties.
2019 – Anthony Van Dyck
Sire: Galileo
Other Group 1 Wins: None
Legacy: Landing the Lingfield Derby Trial on his way to Epsom success, Anthony Van Dyck remained in training as a four-year-old to claim the Group 2 Prix Foy. Heartbreakingly, Anthony Van Dyck’s life was cut short when fatally injured in the 2020 edition of the Melbourne Cup.
2020 – Serpentine
Sire: Galileo
Other Group 1 Wins: None
Legacy: One of the more surprising O’Brien-trained Derby winners, Serpentine made virtually all the running when defying 25/1 odds in the behind-closed-doors edition of 2020. Was he the best horse in the race, or did the opposing jockeys allow Emmet McNamara too much rope? Now based in Australia, Serpentine races on in 2024 and claimed his first win in four years when bagging a Group 3 at Rosehill.
2023 – Auguste Rodin
Sire: Deep Impact
Other Group 1Wins: Vertem Futurity Trophy (2022), Irish Derby (2023), Irish Champion Stakes (2023), Breeders’ Cup Turf (2023)
Legacy: Sired by Japanese sensation Deep Impact and out of a Galileo mare, Auguste Rodin combines the two most powerful breeding lines from the East and West. Thankfully, whilst not always reliable, he has lived up to that weight of pedigree expectation with a quartet of Group 1 successes. Admirably kept in training at four, his first two outings of 2024 ended in disappointment, but, as demonstrated during his Classic campaign, he is more than capable of bouncing back.
2024 – City Of Troy
Sire: Justify
Other Group 1 Wins: Dewhurst Stakes
Legacy: Yet to be written but hopes could scarcely be higher. In Galileo's absence, Ballydoyle must find a super sire to cross with their squadron of Galileo mares. The hopes are that US Triple Crown winner Justify may be that sire. Barring that blip in the 2000 Guineas, City Of Troy is well on the way to delivering all that is hoped for. Already a Champion Juvenile and Derby winner, the strong dirt influence of his sire makes every major middle-distance target in the world a legitimate target.
Paul Harrison
Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.
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