As it happened: relive the Epsom drama as Calandagan wilted, Christmas came early for Ronan Whelan and the Derby favourite ran - but was a non-runner

And with that, it's time to bid you all goodnight.

I thought the weather was going to be the main cause of drama today when the rain steadily fell at Epsom, turning the ground soft and leaving Francis Graffard to curse himself for running Calandagan in the Coronation Cup won at a canter by an enterprising Oisin Murphy on Bay City Roller.

Bay City Roller (left) came up the centre of the track to win the Coronation CupCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

That turned the Derby into a gruelling affair – the slowest since 1983 – and played perfectly into the hands of Ronan Whelan, who received the greatest gift of all from master trainer Aidan O'Brien when steering home Christmas Day ahead of a game Maltese Cross.

But there was then all sorts of nonsense after the race with the favourite Benvenuto Cellini being declared a non-runner despite completing the course, because his near hind leg was on the shelf in the stalls when the gates opened with the stewards determining that he was denied a fair start.

The finish of the 2026 Derby

That caused chaos for punters and bookmakers, with refunds being dished out for all bets placed from Wednesday onwards on Benvenuto Cellini and some bookmakers employing their right to apply a Rule 4 deduction on winning bets.

That story will rumble on I'm sure, but let's not allow it to distract from the greatest day in the career so far of Ronan Whelan, and yet another piece of Epsom mastery from O'Brien.

Derby day reaction:

• Ronan Whelan enjoys landmark Derby success as well-backed Christmas Day seals a Classic milestone for Aidan O'Brien 
• 'The win had been £27,000 . . . but then we had that news' - chaos in the betting ring after Derby favourite ruled a non-runner 
• Derby favourite Benvenuto Cellini declared a post-race non-runner after stalls drama - leading to major Rule 4 deduction on winning bets 
• Why the Derby felt the weakest of the three Group 1s at Epsom - and by quite some distance 
• 'A freak of a horse' - Bay City Roller bound for the Arc after trouncing Calandagan in Coronation Cup 
• 'I shouldn't have run him' - Francis Graffard rues decision not to withdraw Calandagan as world's best labours in 'awful ground' 
• 2026 Betfred Derby at Epsom full result: who won and where your horse finished 

Only five of Aidan O'Brien's 12 Derby winners have been the most fancied of his runners in the marketCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

By John Randall, racing historian

This was O'Brien's 12th victory in the Derby – the previous trainers' record was seven by Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling. And he has done it with nine different jockeys.

This is also his fourth consecutive win in the premier Classic; no other trainer has won it more than twice in a row.

Seven of his 12 winners were not his most fancied in the market. Wings Of Eagles, at 40-1, was his fifth-string and Serpentine, at 25-1, was his fourth-string.

The master of Ballydoyle has now won 50 British Classics – he has held that record since surpassing John Scott's score of 40 that had stood since 1863. 

This is his 120th victory in a European Classic, comprising a record 57 in Ireland, 50 in Britain and 13 in France. That score includes 32 Derbys – 12 at Epsom, 17 at the Curragh and three at Chantilly.

Christmas Day also set a record for winning the Derby from furthest off the far rail.

Christmas Day handled the soft ground conditions better than anyoneCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

By Robbie Wilders, tipster

There were three Group 1 races run over a mile and a half at Epsom and the Derby felt like the weakest of the bunch, by a distance. On this evidence, those who anointed Constitution River as the best three-year-old middle-distance colt in training are unlikely to revisit that view any time soon.

Fair play to Christmas Day for elevating himself up the pecking order at Ballydoyle and giving Ronan Whelan a day he will never forget, but it is easy to imagine the form of this Classic turning on its head at a different track when the sun is shining. 

The time of the Derby was 3.67secs slower than the Coronation Cup won by Bay City Roller in blistering fashion earlier on the card. The proximity of the 83-rated three-race maiden Alderman, who finished little more than seven lengths behind the winner, further dilutes the form. 

• Robbie Wilders' full Derby analysis

A dramatic day at Epsom has now officially come to a close with Sondad winning the 6f handicap for the second year in a row.

The 11-2 shot will be a very popular winner, particularly in the north for his trainers Mick and David Easterby.

Christmas Day: first Derby-winning son of CamelotCredit: Warren Little (Getty Images)

By Tom Peacock, bloodstock features writer

There was a plunge for one of Camelot’s sons to provide him with a first Betfred Derby winner but an entirely different outcome saw the 2012 Epsom hero dominate the dramatic proceedings of 2026.

In winning the Classic, Christmas Day put Coolmore’s outstanding sire in lights, while he was also the broodmare sire of the gallant runner-up Maltese Cross. His Aidan O’Brien stablemate Pierre Bonnard, who was already one of what are now 14 Group or Grade 1 winners around the world for Camelot, was backed in the late stages but finished only seventh.

Christmas Day is bred on the reverse cross of Maltese Cross, being out of a mare by another great Derby winner of years gone by, Sea The Stars. He was bred by Stephen and Becky Hillen’s Framont Ltd. The Berkshire-based couple are particularly renowned in the industry for their purchases as agents and owners, while they were previously involved in the Australian winning machine Via Sistina.

• Full story

Iain Treaty has emailed in to ask: Would Benvenuto Cellini still have been declared a non-runner if he’d won? 

The answer is no. In that case, the stewards would have determined that his chance was not materially affected at the start. 

As it turned out, he finished tenth and Ryan Moore's evidence in the inquiry was seemingly crucial in the verdict.

• Full story

A Derby to forget for Ryan MooreCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

What a day Paul Kealy is having!

The Gary and Josh Moore-trained Too Soon, who has just struck in Epsom's 1m4f handicap in conditions that are getting even more testing, is a third winner of the day for our top tipster, this time at odds of 17-2.

That follows winners at odds of 7-1 and 7-2 and he has one more tip to come in the finale in 15 minutes time.

5.55 Epsom: Gold Star Hero

Gold Star Hero17:55 Epsom

View Racecard

Jky: Tom Marquand Tnr: Michael Bell

it's worth taking a chance that he's just a rapidly improving sprinter.

He had better form on turf than the all-weather until racking up a hat-trick this spring, and that can be put down to him being a much better model since a gelding operation.

One of his best runs last season came when fifth in the 3YO Dash at this meeting, while his turf success came on good to soft ground, so there shouldn't be any course or ground issues.

Don't miss any of Paul's tips by signing up to out Racing Post+ Tipping package

Coral and BetVictor will also not be applying the Rule 4 deduction to winning Derby bets, despite the favourite Benvenuto Cellini being declared a non-runner.

Coral's spokesperson David Stevens said: "Benvenuto Cellini was sent off favourite, or at least he would have been had he not been deemed a non-runner, but as a goodwill gesture to our customers, we are waiving the Rule 4 deduction on him, so that winning punters do not lose out on the biggest betting race of the Flat season.

"Christmas Day was an apt winner of a Derby that was run in wintery conditions, conditions that very much suited Ronan Whelan's mount, with punters backing him at all rates from 16-1 down to 7-1, so it was not an unpopular victory by any means."

Paddy Power are applying the 25p Rule 4 deduction.

Punters may be happy at getting their money back on Benvenuto Cellini being declared a non-runner, but the decision has been met with disdain by trainer and former champion jockey Richard Hughes.

He posted on X: "What a terrible decision on making the favourite of the Derby a non runner. If he won by five lengths would they make him a non runner. Who is running our sport making these simple decisions."

A can of worms may have been opened here. 

For context, the rule was brought in after Harry Angel lost his chance in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2018 when he became upset in the starting stalls, got a hind leg trapped over the gate's running board, and completely missed the break when the gates opened.

The relevant part of Rule H6 states that the stewards may declare a horse a non-runner where, in a race started from starting stalls, a horse is denied a fair start, and its chances are materially affected if a horse is in such a position as to be denied the opportunity of starting on equal terms.

The Derby contenders make their way up the centre of the track led by Christmas DayCredit: Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images

More from the connections of some of the beaten horse.

Joseph O'Brien on James J Braddock (third):

He ran brilliantly. The occasion did get to him a little bit and he got very fired up. Dylan [Browne McMonagle] said as soon as he got out into the country he was fine. It was a huge run and I’m very proud of him. We have a lot to look forward to.

Ralph Beckett on Bay Of Brilliance (fourth):

Hector [Crouch] said if he’d have sat up on him last furlong he’d have stopped to a walk. He got there on sheer willpower. He’ll take a while to get over it.

Maltese Cross (left) ran a big race to finish second in the DerbyCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Maltese Cross ran a huge race under Tom Marquand, much to the delight of his owner George Waud, a film producer whose works include the 2006 movie Snakes On A Plane.

"We're over the moon," Waud said. "He hated the ground, he wouldn't even canter in after the winning line, but despite that he's so brave. I knew he was the bravest horse in the race.

"I can't thank William, Maureen and Sam Haggas enough. The guys who bred him and pinhooked him are here too, we're all really enjoying this moment. It's absolutely unbelievable that we've ended up in the frame in the Derby."

More from Waud and William Haggas's reaction coming up on the website and app later this evening.

Aidan O'Brien with Benvenuto Cellini before the DerbyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

More from Aidan O'Brien, this time on the Benvenuto Cellini saga.

"That's why he came out slow but that happens, it's horseracing and that's the way it was. Ryan ended up back a little bit and I think he was coming through but him and Christophe [on Pierre Bonnard, seventh] got sandwiched a bit in the straight.

"I think he [Benvenuto Cellini] is fine, he's a hardy horse.

"Conditions were tough and there was nowhere to hide out there. I think a lot of those horses might leave that run behind but take nothing away from the winner."

Aidan O'Brien is congratulated after Christmas Day's win in the DerbyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

We've not actually heard from Aidan O'Brien yet, so here is the great man after his latest Derby heroics.

"He's done nothing but improve all the time, he's so genuine," O'Brien said of the winner, who is a first to be sired by 2012 Derby hero Camelot. "He stays and he handles soft ground. Ronan gave him a beautiful ride, very straightforward. 

"He's a very tough, hardy horse and he's by the right sire."

When asked what passing two such important landmarks [a 50th British Classic, and a 12th Betfred Derby] meant to him, O'Brien was typically modest.

"It's not me, it's everybody [else] and everybody knows I'm a very small part of a big team at Coomore and Ballydoyle, the people who do so many different jobs," said O'Brien. "I'm delighted for everyone really, what can I say? It's the first Camelot Derby winner but he's an unbelievable stallion."

• More Derby reaction

Because of this Benvenuto Cellini situation, a Rule 4 deduction could be applied to winning bets with lower payouts for backers of Christmas Day.

However, plenty of bookmakers are waiving that. Ladbrokes and BOYLE Sports have been in my inbox to say they are waiving the deduction and their customers will be paid out in full.

We'll get back to the actual winner of the Derby shortly (sorry Christmas Day, you've had your thunder stolen), but BHA head of stewarding Shaun Parker has explained the decision to declare Benvenuto Cellini a non-runner.

He said: "Soon after the horses had left the starting gates we were notified that the favourite had his left hind leg on the running board just before the start was affected, which resulted in him not being able to jump on terms with the field. He was standing on three legs when the stalls opened.

"We then considered the fact that in terms of our rules he had been denied a fair start. Having got evidence from Ryan Moore that he wanted to go forward with the horse, we noted that he was very slowly into stride and was second-last shortly after the start and was really on the back foot. 

"His race had, in our view, been negatively affected. On that basis. In terms of rule H6, we can then declare a horse a non runner."

Christmas Day wins a dramatic DerbyCredit: Edward Whitaker

 

By Peter Scargill at Epsom

Chaos in the betting ring as Benvenuto Cellini is declared a non-runner. Bookmakers let out a huge groan as the decision was announced, with heads being shaken and more than the odd expletive voiced. “The game’s gone,” uttered another.

"You couldn't make it up," says on-course bookmaker Jerry White in the ring.

He looks a bit disconsolate paying out on the winner and refunding the favourite while surrounded by cheering punters!

Benvenuto Cellini's left hind leg rests on the shelf in the stalls moments before the start. He was subsequently declared a non-runner as he was not deemed to have had a fair start.Credit: ITV Racing

Wow. Despite completing the course and finishing well down the pack, the Derby favourite Benvenuto Cellini has been declared a non-runner after a stewards' inquiry was held into the start, when he had a hind leg caught on a barrier in the stalls.

That will cause chaos in the ring and with punters at home you imagine with bets placed on Benvenuto Cellini after declarations on Wednesday to be refunded and those placed on the winner Christmas Day subject to a Rule 4 deduction.

Benvenuto Cellini had topped betting for the race ever since his Chester Vase success last month and retained that position despite drifting as the rain fell, being returned at 3-1 on the off.

He missed the break under Ryan Moore and was never able to reach a challenging position, but the stewards then held an inquiry to determine whether he had a fair start.

Overhead television footage appeared to show that his near hind-leg was on the shelf in the stalls when the gates opened and he was deemed a non-runner.

Some reaction from winning jockey Ronan Whelan:

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

The horse loves the ground and it felt so effortless for him. I can't think everyone enough. It's my second season at Coolmore 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!"

Whelan is the ninth different jockey to win the Derby for Aidan O'Brien.