The China Mail - Christmas Day lights up Epsom Derby as O'Brien makes more history

The winner also brought up a half century of British classic wins for the 56-year-old Irishman, who was welcoming home a record-extending 12th winner in the race.

In a bizarre post-script the leading fancy of O'Brien's four runners Benvenuto Cellini, who finished down the field of the 14 runners, was declared a non-runner after race stewards saw that one of his hind legs was caught in the starting stalls.

Christmas Day was not the most fancied of O'Brien's four runners, but the 7/1 chance was given a superb ride by Ronan Whelan, who was winning the Derby for the first time.

"We fancied his chances as he is improving all the time and stays," said O'Brien.

"Ronan gave him a beautiful ride.

"He is a tough hardy horse."

Regarding his landmark 50th classic, O'Brien as is his habit praised a host of people who work in the stables back in Ireland.

He contented himself with: "It is unbelievable, but I am just a small part of a huge team."

For Whelan, who is the ninth different jockey to win a Derby for O'Brien, it was incredibly simple.

"It was so easy to be honest! I had Wayne (Lordan, riding stablemate Action) there to do the fractions and he never gets it wrong from the front," said Whelan.

"The horse loves the ground and it felt so effortless for him.

"I can't thank everyone enough. It's my second season (with O'Brien) and I've made friends for life down there. It hasn't sunk in yet.

"When we were running down the hill and Wayne was smacking away, I knew I had loads left. I wish I was as cool a customer as the horse was!"

Christmas Day was never challenged once he hit the front in the finishing straight. Maltese Cross finished second with James J Braddock, trained by O'Brien's son Joseph, third.

For Aidan O'Brien it was his second Derby inside a week as he trained the first three home in the French edition last Sunday.

A.Zhang--ThChM