Andy Newton
The 2026 Epsom Derby result saw the Aidan O’Brien trained Christmas Day power home to land the English Classic on a rain-soaked Saturday.
The win providing jockey Ronan Whelan with a memorable first Derby success. But provided record-winning Derby trainer Aidan O’Brien with a twelfth success in the race.
Aidan O’Brien’s better fancied Benvenuto Cellini, who was sent off favourite, was never in the race and eventually finished down the field.
But was then remarkably declared a non-runner after appearing to get his hind leg trapped in the starting stalls as the race started.
With Maltese Cross and James J Braddock taking silver and bronze.
Epsom Derby Result 2026
🥇 CHRISTMAS DAY (1st 7/1)
🥈 Maltese Cross (12/1)
🥉 James J Braddock (9/1)
- Winning Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- Winning Jockey: Ronan Whelan
- Winning Owner: Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Westerberg, Brant
The winning time was just 2:43.75 – which was 3.5 seconds slower than the Coronation Cup run earlier on the card.
And is the second slowest Derby since 1983 when Teenoso won in 2:49.07.
WATCH: Christmas Day Winning The 2026 Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby Result: Christmas Comes Early On The Downs
Most punters sided with Aidan O’Brien’s recent impressive Chester Vase winner Benvenuto Cellini in the Epsom Derby.
However, it was Ballydoyle’s fourth string CHRISTMAS DAY that delivered the latest Derby present for the legendary trainer.
Piloted by Ronan Whelan, who had never ridden the Derby winner, Christmas Day was supported into 7/1 in the hours before the race and obliged on a rain-soaked Epsom track.
Benvenuto Cellini Declared A Non-Runner, Despite Completing The Course
Favorite Benvenuto Cellini, who is sired by Frankel, never got into the contest.
But was strangely declared a non-runner, despite running in the race.
He appeared to get his left hind leg partially trapped in the stalls and the stewards deemed that he has not had a fair start.
Regardless, he was running out the back and was never able to pick up the leaders down the long Epsom straight under four-time Derby-winning rider Ryan Moore.
Maltese Cross, who is owned by Hollywood film producer George Waud, ran second for trainer William Haggas. With James J Braddock taking third for owner and ITV Racing pundit Kevin Blake.
Christmas Day’s 2026 Epsom Derby result gave trainer Aidan O’Brien a record-extending twelfth win in the world famous English Classic.
Recent Epsom Derby Winners
- 2026 – Christmas Day (7/1)
- 2025 – Lambourn (13/2)
- 2024 – City Of Troy (3/1 fav)
- 2023 – Auguste Rodin (9/2)
- 2022 – Desert Crown (5/2 fav)
- 2021 – Adayar (16/1)
- 2020 – Serpentine (25/1)
- 2019 – Anthony Van Dyck (13/2)
- 2018 – Masar (16/1)
- 2017 – Wings of Eagles (40/1)
