Aidan O’Brien Derby Runners Taking Shape As Ballydoyle Maestro Eyes Eleventh Epsom Classic Win 184z2c

No trainer has won the Epsom Derby more times than Aidan O’Brien so it’s no surprise each year that punters are quick to look out for which horses the Coolmore operation are targeting at the race. With that in mind, we look at the Aidan O’Brien Derby runners in the big Epsom race this Saturday – as he’s got three of the final 19. 

Aidan O’Brien Derby Runners 2025 Headed By Impressive Leopardstown Winner Delacroix 4y6x6m

The horses at the head of the Epsom Derby market have chopped and changed many times over the last month.

However, the horse that looks like going off favourite for the 2025 race is the Aidan O’Brien Derby runner Delacroix.

This son of Dubawi has had the least ‘hassle-free’ preparation and with strong rumours Ryan Moore will also ride – this 3 year-old looks set to be the main Ballydoyle hope.

He was last seen winning the Group Three Derby Trial at Leopardstown in the middle of May which has been a fair guide to the Epsom Classic over the years. But not for a while.

With the last double winners coming between 2000 and 2002, when three horses – Sinndar, Galileo and High Chaparral – did the double. While last year the Derby Trial winner Los Angeles ran third at Epsom.

Many also ask how many times a horse can win the Epsom Derby – but with the answer just once, then being primed to perform on the day is key.

Aidan O’Brien knows just that – which is why he’s won this race and the Epsom Oaks ten times each before the 2025.

Meaning if Delacroix can win the Epsom Derby he’ll be giving trainer Aidan O’Brien a record extending eleventh success in the race.

WATCH: Delacroix Winning The Derby Trial at Leopardstown 147349

Aidan O’Brien Epsom Derby Runners and Entries  513917

The Lion In Winter Needs To Bounce Back From Dante Stakes Disappointment 3l5h16

Another of Aidan O’Brien Epsom Derby runners for 2025 will be the much-talked about The Lion In Winter.

This Sea The Stars colt has Derby in his pedigree, with his sire landing the 2009 running – and had been favourite for the race over the winter.

However, he returned to the track in 2025 being beaten for the first time. This came in the Dante Stakes at York (watch below).

This run saw his Derby odds drift and with Ryan Moore also expected to jump off him in preference for Delacroix, this has further raised alarm bells.

That said, O’Brien is certainly no stranger to winning the Epsom Derby with his second or third strings. Don’t forget Serpentine won at 25/1 in 2020 and Wings Of Eagles at 40/1 in 2017.

If The Lion In Winter can bounce back, he’ll become the first horse since Workforce to have been beaten in the Dante Stakes and win the Derby.

But Workforce holds the record for the fastest ever Epsom Derby at 2m 31.33 secs, so it’s certainly possible.

WATCH: The Lion In Winter Running Fifth In The Dante Stakes  4v1p4l

Lambourn A Lively Aidan O’Brien Derby Runner Outsider  n526o

The third of the main Aidan O’Brien Derby runners for 2025 will be Lambourn – who has draw 10. Two of the last seven winners came from this stall.

This 3 year-old colt stayed on well to win the Chester Vase at their May Meeting last month and would be the first horse to win month races since Ruler Of The World. This son of Galileo was also trained by O’Brien.

Prior to Ruler Of The World, you have to go back to Shergar in 1981 to find the last horse to win the Chester Vase and Epsom Derby.

Before that Chester win Lambourn was second to Delacroix at Leopardstown.

WATCH: Lambourn Winning The Chester Vase  4w6h6q

Which Aidan O’Brien Derby Runner Will Ryan Moore Ride? 1u5865

The final Epsom Derby runners will be out on Wednesday 4th June 2025. Which is 72 hours before the race and 24 hours earlier than the normal 48 hour decs for UK horse racing.

This is to give punters and the media more time to build the race up, plus we’ll also know the draw and jockeys at this stage

Therefore, we won’t know for sure until Wednesday which horse Ryan Moore, who has the pick of the Aidan O’Brien Epsom Derby runners, will ride.

That said, it’s been strongly tipped that Delacroix is the one Moore is leaning towards.

How Many Times Has Aidan O’Brien Won The Epsom Derby? 452846

Each year ahead of the big race – many ask how many times has Aidan O’Brien has won the Epsom Derby?

Well, the answer is TEN TIMES and it won’t be long before that figure is increasing.

The first win for the Ballydoyle man came in 2001 with Galileo, who has since gone onto sire five more Epsom Derby winners. These were New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine.

Since Galileo got the Ballydoyle ball rolling, other Aidan O’Brien Derby runners to have won the race are Camelot (2012) and Anthony Van Dyck (2019).

Plus he’s also heading into 2025 on a three-timer – having won the Derby for the last two seasons with Auguste Rodin (2023) and City Of Troy (2024) (watch below).

Aidan O’Brien Epsom Derby Winners 3g3u4i

WATCH: City Of Troy Winning The 2024 Epsom Derby 3u1271

Epsom Derby Race Info 2025 j4914

📅Date: Saturday 7th June 2025
⌚Time: 3:30pm
🏇Racecourse: Epsom Downs
💷Winner: £850,650
📺 TV: ITV/RTV (ITV Racing schedule)