Runaway Betfred Derby hero Lambourn was a stunning winner of the Epsom Classic a few weeks ago and the Aidan O’Brien-trained star is looking to claim more Group 1 success on Sunday in the Irish Derby at the Curragh and is one of ten horses declared for the contest.
The son of Australia is looking to follow in his father’s footsteps by claiming Curragh Classic success weeks after winning at Epsom Downs and Lambourn is a short-priced favourite with the bookmakers to do the stunning Derby double.
O’Brien has an absolutely sensational record in the race having trained the winner on 16 separate occasions and he has five of the ten entries which are undoubtedly spearheaded by Lambourn, who produced a stunning front-running display to claim glory in the Derby at Epsom and he will be bidding to dominate proceedings once again here.
However, he will face some lively rivals in the 1m 4f contest and the most notable danger could be Joseph O’Brien’s Tennessee Stud, who finished third behind Lambourn at Epsom last time out and is capable of building on that effort. Lazy Griff ran an absolute stormer at Epsom as well when sent off at huge odds and the Charlie Johnston-trained colt will make the trip over from England and is another fascinating entry.
A wonderful winner of the Dante Stakes at York at the start of the season, Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras ran no sort of race in the Derby last time out, but he appeared to struggle with the track that day, so will be hoping a trip to Ireland could see him replicate his performance from the Knavesmire at the weekend.
A Listed winner of the Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown earlier this month, Jessica Harrington’s Green Impact will now take the huge step up in grade to contest the Irish Derby, but looks one that could be open to more improvement and certainly warrants respect.
Puppet Master was set to run at Royal Ascot last week, but was taken out by the abovementioned O’Brien on the day of the race, but will now head to the Curragh and is another of the Ballydoyle team that could play a prominent role here. Runner-up in the King George V Stakes at the Royal meeting last week, Serious Contender could make a quick turnaround for team O’Brien and is entered, as is Shackleton, who was a lacklustre fourth in the Queen’s Vase last week.
Thrice will complete the O’Brien quintet that could take their chance in the race, while the Beckett team will not only saddle Pride Of Arras, but they could also send Sir Dinadan across the Irish Sea, but that contender could be a huge price to land the prize.
2025 Irish Derby Runners
| Number | Horse | Trainer |
| 1 | Green Impact | Jessica Harrington |
| 2 | Lambourn | Aidan O’Brien |
| 3 | Lazy Griff | Charlie Johnston |
| 4 | Pride Of Arras | Ralph Beckett |
| 5 | Puppet Master | Aidan O’Brien |
| 6 | Serious Contender | Aidan O’Brien |
| 7 | Shackleton | Aidan O’Brien |
| 8 | Sir Dinadan | Ralph Beckett |
| 9 | Tennessee Stud | Joseph O’Brien |
| 10 | Thrice | Aidan O’Brien |
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