Epsom Derby 2026 – Aidan O’Brien sets his usual Classic conundrum

Horse Racing

Gold reveals Hamdan's double Epsom hopes

Racing365
May 26, 2026 12:04 am

Aidan O’Brien’s tally of 11 previous victories in the Epsom Derby highlights his ability to prepare horses to deliver the goods on the biggest occasions.

The Irishman has trained the last three winners of the big race and the latest data from horse.bet rates him as the favourite to continue his dominance this year.

Auguste Rodin (2023), City Of Troy (2024), Lambourn (2025) got the job done for O’Brien in the last three years and he could add to his tally on June 6.

Read on as we assess whether O’Brien will win the Epsom Derby for the 12th time, or if another trainer can knock him off his perch.

Epsom Derby 2026 – Latest betting

Benvenuto Cellini – 2/1
Item – 4/1
Constitution River – 5/1
Pierre Bonnard – 8/1
Maltese Cross – 10/1
James J Braddock – 14/1
Hawk Mountain – 14/1
Bay Of Brilliance – 16/1
Saxon Street – 16/1
Ancient Egypt – 16/1
Action – 25/1
Christmas Day – 40/1
Endorsement – 40/1
Causeway – 66/1
Rebel Rocker – 100/1
Amadeus Mozart – 100/1
Shosholoza – 100/1
Proposition – 100/1
Balzac – 150/1
Poker – 200/1
Alderman – 250/1
A Taste Of Glory – 250/1

Epsom Derby 2026 – Preview

O’Brien trains three of the first five in the Epsom Derby betting, and he will fancy his chances of adding to his tally of 11 victories in the race.

Benvenuto Cellini is the ante-post favourite for the Derby following a hugely impressive victory in the Chester Vase earlier this month.

He ticks all the right boxes on pedigree, stamina and balance, and could be a tough nut to crack if he repeats that performance at Epsom.

O’Brien also has Constitution River as an option for the Derby following his eye-catching seven-length victory in the Dee Stakes at Chester.

However, several pundits have predicted that he lacks the necessary stamina to win the race and a tilt at the French Derby on May 31 seems more likely.

O’Brien’s Pierre Bonnard is also prominent in the betting, but his defeat in the Leopardstown Derby Trial makes him a risky betting proposition.

By contrast, Andrew Balding’s Item looks well worth an interest after he maintained his unbeaten record by winning the Dante Stakes at York.

He won both of his races as a juvenile and was ridden confidently by jockey Colin Keane to claim a hugely impressive victory in the Derby trial.

Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon said: “He does his work nicely at home, but he’s not flashy and we were a little unsure where we were, but that was a good performance.

“We’ve won a trial so the obvious place to go is the Derby. Juddmonte buy and breed these horses to compete at the top table in the best races and the Epsom Derby is still one of the best races in the world.

“Colin said he felt like a horse who would get further so we’ll talk to the owners, but hopefully they’ll want to go to Epsom.”

Trainer William Haggas also has a genuine contender, with Lingfield Derby Trial winner Maltese Cross fancied to run a big race.

The son of Sea The Stars was a Newmarket maiden winner over a mile last September and is a perfect two from two since stepping up to ten furlongs this season.

Odds of 10/1 are a fair reflection of Maltese Cross’ chances and it would be no surprise if he finished in the first three at Epsom.