Sixty-two years after Santa Claus delivered on the downs, Christmas Day arrived early at Epsom to land a 247th Betfred Derby shrouded in controversy for Aidan O’Brien and rider Ronan Whelan.
The two-and three-quarter length victory represented an historic fourth successive Derby win for O’Brien and, as well as being his 12th triumph in the blue riband event, was also his 50th Betfred British Classic success, his first having come 28 years ago with King Of Kings in the 1998 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
In a scene more akin to Cheltenham than Epsom thanks to strong winds and intermittent driving rain, the 33-year-old Whelan took up the running on the son of Camelot heading past the three-furlong marker and his mount found plenty under pressure to fend off the William Haggas-trained Maltese Cross, ridden by Tom Marquand, and win in the slowest time since Teenoso won on heavy ground in 1983.
Before Christmas Day and his jubilant rider could even enjoy the acclaim of a sizeable Derby Day crowd, Epsom’s stewards called an inquiry and deemed 3/1 favourite Benvenuto Cellini, one of four runners in the race for O’Brien and the choice of Ryan Moore, a non-runner after he was found to have his left hind leg on the running board just before the stalls opened
The unprecedented move came as a huge shock to most racegoers as Benvenuto Cellini had appeared to cause the stalls’ issue himself and the rule invoked by the stewards (H6) was introduced to cater for problems with the starting stalls or circumstances outside of a horse or jockey’s control.
All punters who backed Benvenuto Cellini were refunded their stakes, but those that backed the winner or any of the placed horses were subject to a 25p Rule 4 deduction in the pound on their returns as post-race confusion reigned in the betting ring.
Before Christmas Day and his jubilant rider could even enjoy the acclaim of a sizeable Derby Day crowd, Epsom’s stewards called an inquiry
All punters who backed Benvenuto Cellini, ridden by Ryan Moore, were refunded their stakes
Jockey Ronan Whelan receives trophy from King Charles III and Queen Camilla
To ease a chaotic situation, which threatened to overshadow one of racing’s biggest days of the year, several bookmakers took the decision to waive the deduction and payout fully on the result.
BHA head of stewarding Shaun Parker explained the controversial decision.
“When the horses left the starting gates, we were notified that the favourite had his left hind leg on the running board just before the start was effected,” he said.
“This resulted in him not being able to jump on terms with the field as he was standing on three legs when the stalls opened.
“We then considered that he been denied a fair start and having got evidence from Ryan Moore as to what his instructions were and where he wanted to be in terms of the race – he wanted to go forward with the horse – we noted he was very slowly into stride and was second last shortly after the start and on the back foot from the start.
“In our view, the horse was negatively affected and, on that basis, using the rule H6, we can declare the horse a non-runner.
“This rule was changed following a long consultation with all stakeholders where it was agreed that this was the right and fair way to go.
“In terms of the placings, he could have still been deemed a non-runner, but if the horse wins, he has not been materially affected so he will stay the winner.”
An emotional Whelan, a former champion apprentice in Ireland, was blissfully unaware of the trials and tribulations which beset Christmas Day’s stablemate, and his victory was made even more special as his father Tom led him back to Epsom’s famous winner’s enclosure.
“I was chatting with my girlfriend flying over here and I said to her I can feel something big is going to happen. That sounds stupid, but I had a good feeling coming into the race and the vibes were good,” said the Co Kildare rider.
Jockey Ronan Whelan seals derby victory with a kiss from his partner Emma Doyle
Christmas Day contingent celebrate 7/1 winner in the Epsom Derby
“To be honest, if you’re riding for Aidan in any race, you’re going to have a good feeling!
“He (father Tom) has had to put up with a lot with me and, while these are good days, there are a lot of bad days too.
“A lot of other people have also stuck by me, but to have him leading me in was everything.
“I said to him, ‘Dad you’re leading in your son after winning the Derby’ and there will be no man going round the sales prouder than big Tom!”
Earlier on a weather-beaten card, Bay City Roller and Oisin Murphy pronounced bye bye baby to their Coolmore Coronation Cup rivals to hand Newmarket trainer George Scott a first UK Group 1 success as hot favourite Calandagan flopped on the soft ground.
