3 minute read

Wayne Lordan enjoyed his first Epsom Derby winner at the tenth time of asking when Lambourn galloped his rivals into the ground.

Just a day after being narrowly denied by Ryan Moore in the Epsom Oaks, Wayne Lordan found himself propelled into the spotlight after guiding Lambourn to an all-the-way victory in the 2025 Epsom Derby.

Away swiftly from the gates, Lordan allowed his mount to stride on from an early stage before stretching clear in the final two furlongs to see off Lazy Griff, who chase home the same rival when the pair met in the Chester Vase last time out, by three- and three-quarter lengths.

Lordan, 43 from Cork and a key cog in the Ballydoyle operation, said: "When you're getting into racing, this is the race you always want to ride in.

"I'm lucky that I work for Aidan and get to ride good horses and get opportunities. I've had previous rides in the Derby, but I'm just glad it worked out today.

"He's a lovely genuine horse. I was just anxious to get him into this stride, because he stays well. I got him into a good rhythm in front, and he was enjoying it, with his ears pricked. I was able to go forward good and early because we always thought he was a horse that stays well.

He added: "I was only happy when I passed the line - you don't know, there are always horses flying home - and on the filly yesterday I thought I was going well and then Ryan passed me in the last 50 yards.

"I knew anything that got past me was going to have to stay really well and I knew my horse was genuine and tries hard.

"I do feel this horse was a bit overlooked because he's not a flashy horse, he goes along behind the bridle, he just does his own thing.

"I suppose the other horses are good travellers, they are good to quicken. Mine was just genuine and going along with it all."

On his experience working for the master of Ballydoyle, who was claiming his eleventh Epsom Derby, Lordan said: "Aidan is very straightforward, the horses are well prepared, and he gives good instructions and as long as you carry them out, if you win, great, and if you don't, you've tried your best."

Lordan, who sustained a potentially career-ending fall in 2023, added: "When you're growing up… I've been watching Johnny Murtagh, Pat Smullen, Mick Kinane, and it's the race you always want to... Then when you get a ride in it, you're absolutely delighted. I

work for Aidan O'Brien, Ballydoyle, Coolmore, and when they give you the opportunity to ride a horse like this, in a race like this, and for him to do it… it's a special race to win."