The stage is set at the Curragh Racecourse for the 2025 Irish Derby, and all eyes are on Lambourn, the imposing colt trained by Aidan O’Brien, as he bids to cement his status as the standout three-year-old of the season.
Scheduled for 4:10pm on Sunday, June 29th, the €1.25 million Group 1 contest brings together a select field of ten, but it is Lambourn, fresh off a dominant Epsom Derby triumph, who commands the spotlight and the betting markets.
The Favourite with Form
Lambourn arrives at the Curragh as the red-hot odds-on favourite on bookmaker sites such as Optibet, a price that reflects both his recent form and the confidence of punters and connections alike.
His front-running demolition of the Epsom Derby field just three weeks ago was as authoritative as any seen in recent years.
Sent straight to the front by Wayne Lordan, Lambourn dictated the pace and never looked in danger, powering clear to win by three and three-quarter lengths from Lazy Griff, with Tennessee Stud in third.
It was a performance that showcased Lambourn’s stamina, tactical speed, and mental toughness, qualities that are needed in the mile-and-a-half test of the Irish Derby.
The Curragh’s galloping track, which can favour those who race prominently, seems tailor-made for his running style. With Ryan Moore, O’Brien’s first-choice jockey, now taking the reins, the Ballydoyle team is hoping for a repeat of the Epsom heroics.
Jockey Ryan Moore is confident saying: “He’s an uncomplicated horse that stays very well and they all have him to beat. He’s going to have a big target on his back now, but he brings the best form to the race and is the one to beat.”
The Road to the Curragh
Lambourn’s rise has been steady rather than meteoric. He began his three-year-old campaign with a promising second in the Ballysax Stakes, chasing home stablemate Delacroix.
He then announced himself as a serious Derby contender with victory in the Chester Vase, where he stayed on strongly to win “going away”.
That performance marked him as a thorough stayer, a trait that would prove invaluable at Epsom and now at the Curragh.
His Epsom Derby win was not just about stamina; it was about seizing the initiative and never relinquishing it. The colt, by Australia out of American mare, Gossamer Wings, is bred for the job, and his straightforward nature has won admirers among connections and racing fans alike.
The Team Behind the Favourite
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Owners: Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor
This is a trio and a team that needs little introduction. The Coolmore partners have bankrolled and celebrated some of the greatest champions in recent turf history, and their faith in Lambourn is evident in his campaign and continued support.
Aidan O’Brien: The Master of the Irish Derby
No trainer has dominated the Irish Derby like Aidan O’Brien. The Ballydoyle maestro has won the race a record 16 times, including seven consecutive victories from 2006 to 2012 and back-to-back wins in the two most recent runnings.
His roll of honour includes Galileo, Camelot, Australia, and last year’s winner, Los Angeles, all of whom have gone on to be influential sires and legends in their own right.
O’Brien’s approach to the 2025 Irish Derby and racing in general is meticulous, often fielding multiple runners to maximize his chances, but it is telling that Lambourn is his clear number one this year.
The trainer’s record with horses attempting the Epsom-Irish Derby double is formidable, and Lambourn’s sire, Australia, achieved the feat in 2014.
Ryan Moore: The Jockey in Form
Ryan Moore, widely regarded as one of the world’s elite jockeys, returns to partner Lambourn after missing out on the Epsom ride when he opted to ride Delacroix instead.
Moore’s recent form is sparkling, and he notched up a Group 1 win at the Curragh just yesterday, adding yet another great win to an already fruitful season with O’Brien’s powerful string.
His tactical nous and composure in big races make him the ideal partner for a horse like Lambourn, who may need to judge the pace from the front once again.
Moore’s association with O’Brien in the Irish Derby is particularly strong. He guided Los Angeles to victory last year and was aboard Auguste Rodin in 2023, underlining his knack for delivering when it matters most.
The Main Rivals: Can Joseph O’Brien Upset the Favourite?
While Lambourn is the clear market leader in the 2025 Irish Derby, the field is not short on quality. Chief among the challengers is Tennessee Stud, trained by Aidan’s son, Joseph O’Brien.
Tennessee Stud finished a staying-on third at Epsom, closing late after being held up off the pace. The colt, a Group 1 winner at two, is seen as the horse most likely to test Lambourn, especially if the race turns into a stamina-sapping contest.
Joseph O’Brien, himself a former Irish Derby-winning jockey and now a Classic-winning trainer, is relishing the rematch:
“We were very proud of Tennessee Stud’s run in Epsom. He got back a little bit early, but he came home very strong.
“The plan is to come back to the Curragh and so far his preparation has gone smoothly. We are excited about a rematch with Lambourn and probably a couple of others.”
Tennessee Stud is currently the second or third favourite, depending on the bookmaker, and his connections believe a return to the Curragh could see further improvement.
Other notable runners include Lazy Griff, who chased Lambourn home at both Chester and Epsom, and Green Impact, who has solid Irish form and could be a lively outsider.
The O’Brien Family Rivalry
The father-son dynamic adds an extra layer of intrigue to this year’s Derby. Joseph O’Brien, already an Irish Derby-winning trainer with Latrobe in 2018, is second only to his father in the Irish trainers’ championship this season.
Tennessee Stud’s closing effort at Epsom suggests he could get closer at the Curragh, especially if the race is run at a stronger pace or if Lambourn is pressured on the front end.
While Joseph acknowledges the challenge, he is quietly confident that Tennessee Stud can improve and perhaps turn the tables on his father’s star.
What to Expect: Tactics and Race Shape
Lambourn’s style is to go forward and make use of his stamina, a tactic that worked perfectly at Epsom and in the Chester Vase.
The Curragh’s long, straight, and undulating terrain presents a different test, but his proven ability to stay and handle various ground conditions is a major asset.
The main question is whether any rival can apply enough pressure to test his resolve late on.
Tennessee Stud, with his proven stamina and finishing kick, is the obvious candidate to do so, while Lazy Griff and Green Impact could also play a role if the pace is strong.
Lambourn the One to Beat
All the evidence points to Lambourn as the horse they all have to beat in the 2025 Irish Derby.
His Epsom Derby win was comprehensive, his preparation has been smooth, and he is in the hands of the most successful trainer and one of the world’s best jockeys.
The betting markets reflect this confidence, and unless one of his rivals can find significant improvement, Lambourn looks set to add his name to the illustrious list of Irish Derby winners.
Yet, with Joseph O’Brien’s Tennessee Stud lurking as a genuine threat, and the ever-present possibility of tactical surprises, the 160th running of the Irish Derby promises drama, quality, and a fitting stage for the sport’s best to shine.
Whether Lambourn can join the pantheon of dual Derby winners will be answered at the Curragh this afternoon, but for now, he leads the charge, and the racing world is watching.
