Christmas Day Wins Epsom Derby at 7-1 for Aidan O'Brien's 12th Victory

Christmas Day surged to victory in the Derby at Epsom. The 7-1 shot, ridden by Ronan Whelan, moved past Action in the final stages and pulled clear to win. Maltese Cross, ridden by Tom Maquand, finished second.

James J Braddock, with Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard, placed third. Ronan Whelan said the win felt straightforward. "It was just so easy," he told ITV Racing. "Aidan just told me to keep it simple. The horse has done it so easy.

Aidan O'Brien trained the winner. The victory marked his 12th success in the Derby and his 50th triumph in a British Classic. O'Brien fielded four runners: Christmas Day, Action, Pierre Bonnard and Benvenuto Cellini.

Benvenuto Cellini was declared a non-runner after keeping a leg on the side of the stalls when the gates opened. Christmas Day is a son of Camelot, who won the 2012 Derby. O'Brien said the horse had continued to improve.

O'Brien credited the wider Ballydoyle team. "Everyone knows I'm a small part of a big team at Ballydoyle, there's a lot of people doing lots of jobs, in the offices, on the ground, people I don't mention," he said.