Aidan O'Brien says Derby double is on the cards for Epsom hero Lambourn as he bids to join illustrious group

Aidan O'Brien said Derby hero Lambourn is likely to head to the Irish Derby in an attempt to emulate his sire Australia after capping a phenomenal 48 hours for the trainer with a clean sweep of the Group 1s at Epsom.

Auguste Rodin was the fifth O'Brien-trained colt to become a dual Derby winner when following up at the Curragh in 2023, joining an illustrious band including Australia (2014), Camelot (2012), High Chaparral (2002) and Galileo (2001) who are among 19 horses who have landed the historic double.

Lambourn has been installed as 4-5 favourite to become the 20th Epsom winner to follow up at the Curragh on June 29 and is also well fancied by bookmakers to add another British Classic, having also been cut into a general 5-2 favourite for the Betfred St Leger in September.

Wayne Lordan and Lambourn: Derby winnersCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

O'Brien said of Ballydoyle's 11th Derby winner: "Lambourn is a brave horse who stays well and Wayne [Lordan] gave him a great ride, he kept going really well. We'll see how he is but at the moment, you'd be thinking of going to the Irish Derby next. Wayne is a great fella, we're absolutely delighted for him.

When asked whether he could be a St Leger contender, O'Brien said: "He definitely could stay further. The way his mind is and how relaxed he is, there's a good chance he could."

Reflecting on 2-1 favourite Delacroix, who got shuffled back in the early skirmishes and finished ninth, and The Lion In Winter, who came home 14th of the 18-strong field, he said: "Delacroix met trouble which wasn't ideal and just got back too far then. Maybe he's a mile-and-a-quarter horse so there's a strong possibility he could drop back in trip. The Lion In Winter could drop back as well, he could be a miler."

Minnie Hauk set for Irish Oaks and options open for Whirl

On Friday, O'Brien saddled the first two home in the Oaks, in which Minnie Hauk got the better of a protracted duel with Whirl, eventually getting up by a neck at the line under Ryan Moore. 

Minnie Hauk: landed the Oaks under Ryan MooreCredit: Edward Whitaker

Unbeaten in her last three starts, the Frankel filly gave O'Brien his 11th Oaks and, like Lambourn, could attempt the Epsom-Curragh double this month when she would become the 17th filly to follow up in the Irish equivalent, the last of whom was the O'Brien-trained Snowfall in 2021.

"We felt Minnie Hauk improved a lot since Chester, while Whirl was a very good winner of a Musidora which is a very good trial and she got the mile and a half well. When Minnie Hauk got there, she was very green. When Ryan went to go past Wayne, she just felt it difficult on the track and she changed her legs and rolled, but that's always very possible at Epsom. 

"The Irish Oaks is definitely a possibility for her and we'll see with Whirl. We think she could go back to a mile and a quarter or stay at a mile and a half."

O'Brien's other representative Giselle finished fifth under Colin Keane, and the trainer added: "Giselle settled very well and Colin was very happy with her. When she started to come, things got a little bit tight for her but we found out a lot about her and Colin felt she stayed well."

Jan Brueghel to play second fiddle to Los Angeles

Jan Brueghel kicked off the Group 1 haul with a gritty display in the Coronation Cup, showing all the resolution that was a hallmark of his unbeaten three-year-old campaign as the St Leger winner pulled out all the stops to repel the challenge of Calandagan and prevail by half a length.

Jan Brueghel: too good for CalandaganCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The King George could now be on the agenda, depending on how Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Los Angeles's season progresses.

"Jan Brueghel was just ready to start at the Curragh over a mile and a quarter and they didn't go overly quick and he finished behind a good horse of Joseph's [Galen]. We were delighted with him at Epsom," said O'Brien.

"The King George could be an option but it depends really on Los Angeles. He's going to the Prince of Wales's first and if he goes to the King George then Jan Brueghel won't go there, but it's a possibility. Los Angeles is the boss at the moment and they will have to follow where he's not going."

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