Aidan O’Brien has long established himself as the undisputed king of the Irish Derby – but just how many times has the Ballydoyle master won the Curragh Classic?
The Ballydoyle trainer has saddled a remarkable 17 Irish Derby winners, beginning with Desert King back in 1997.
Since that first success, O’Brien has rewritten the record books, dominating one of Ireland’s most prestigious races for almost three decades.
His latest victory came with Lambourn in 2025, extending his own record and once again underlining his grip on the end-of-June showpiece at the Curragh.
From Galileo and High Chaparral to Camelot, Australia and Auguste Rodin, many of O’Brien’s winners have gone on to become champion racehorses and hugely influential stallions.
And the Irish Derby betting odds suggest O’Brien has a strong hand of adding to his record haul in 2026.
Here’s the full list of Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby winners.
Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby Winners (17)
- 1997 – Desert King
- 2001 – Galileo
- 2002 – High Chaparral
- 2006 – Dylan Thomas
- 2007 – Soldier Of Fortune
- 2008 – Frozen Fire
- 2009 – Fame And Glory
- 2010 – Cape Blanco
- 2011 – Treasure Beach
- 2012 – Camelot
- 2014 – Australia
- 2017 – Capri
- 2019 – Sovereign
- 2020 – Santiago
- 2023 – Auguste Rodin
- 2024 – Los Angeles
- 2025 – Lambourn
WATCH: Desert King – Aidan O’Brien’s First Irish Derby Winner
O’Brien the Most Successful Irish Derby Trainer by a Furlong
Aidan O’Brien’s 17 Irish Derby victories are comfortably the most by any trainer in the history of the race.
He has also enjoyed an extraordinary period of recent dominance, winning three consecutive renewals between 2023 and 2025.
Remarkably, since 2006 only seven different trainers have won the Irish Derby, with O’Brien responsible for 14 of those runnings, including the last three.
Galileo (2001)
Galileo’s victory proved to be a landmark moment for Ballydoyle.
Arriving at the Curragh after his Epsom Derby success, he completed the famous Derby double before going on to become one of the greatest stallions in racing history.
The son of Sadler’s Wells transformed the breed, siring countless Group One winners and becoming the cornerstone of Coolmore’s breeding empire.
His Irish Derby triumph remains one of the defining victories of O’Brien’s career.
High Chaparral (2002)
Twelve months later, High Chaparral handed O’Brien back-to-back victories.
He would go on to win two Breeders’ Cup Turf titles and establish himself as another hugely successful stallion.
His toughness, consistency and versatility made him one of the outstanding middle-distance performers of his generation.
Camelot (2012)
Camelot arrived at the Curragh chasing the Triple Crown after already landing both the 2,000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby.
Although he ultimately fell short in the St Leger, his Irish Derby success cemented his place among the modern greats.
Joseph O’Brien partnered the colt to victory in one of the most eagerly anticipated Irish Derbies of recent decades.
Australia (2014)
Australia was regarded as one of Ballydoyle’s most naturally gifted horses, and he justified favouritism in both the Epsom and Irish Derby.
The son of Galileo and Oaks heroine Ouija Board possessed a devastating turn of foot and later added the Juddmonte International to his impressive record.
Auguste Rodin (2023)
Auguste Rodin bounced back from disappointment in the 2,000 Guineas to win both the Epsom Derby and Irish Derby.
His Curragh victory brought up O’Brien’s 15th success in the race and further enhanced the colt’s reputation before he added more Group One victories at the highest level.
Lambourn – O’Brien’s Most Recent Irish Derby Winner (2025)
Lambourn provided O’Brien with a record-extending 17th Irish Derby success in 2025.
Having already captured the Epsom Derby earlier that month, the son of Australia showed tremendous determination at the Curragh to complete the coveted Derby double.
Ryan Moore delivered the colt at exactly the right moment as he held off stablemate Serious Contender to continue Ballydoyle’s remarkable domination of the race.
The victory also completed a third successive Irish Derby for O’Brien following the wins of Auguste Rodin and Los Angeles, while Lambourn became the 20th horse to complete the Epsom-Irish Derby double.
Lambourn’s success also gave Ryan Moore a third victory in the race, with all three wins coming in the last three renewals.
Aidan O’Brien’s Best Chances in the 2026 Irish Derby
With the 2026 Irish Derby approaching, Ballydoyle once again appears to hold a particularly strong hand.
Christmas Day
Following his victory in the 2026 Epsom Derby, Christmas Day is among the leading fancies for Sunday’s Curragh Classic.
The son of Camelot gave O’Brien a record 12th Epsom Derby victory and looks the obvious candidate to attempt the Derby double.
He will be looking to become the 20th horse to complete the Epsom-Irish Derby double, with Lambourn having most recently achieved the feat in 2025.
Benvenuto Cellini
Benvenuto Cellini was strongly fancied before the Epsom Derby after his impressive Chester Vase victory and remains one of Ballydoyle’s leading middle-distance colts.
Connections have always held him in high regard, and the Curragh’s galloping track could prove much more suitable to his strengths.
However, in the Epsom Derby he became entangled in the starting stalls when one of his hind legs got caught, leaving him unable to break on terms with the rest of the field.
Following the race, Epsom stewards declared him a non-runner.
Irish Derby 2026 Race Information
📅 Date: Sunday 28th June 2026
⌚ Time: 4:35pm
🏇 Racecourse: Curragh
🔄 Distance: 1m4f
💷 Winner’s Prize: €712,500
📺 TV: Racing TV
Irish Derby Betting Odds 2026
- Benvenuto Cellini 11/10
- Christmas Day 4/1
- Raaheeb 4/1
- James J Braddock 8/1
- A Boy Named Susie 10/1
- 12/1 bar
Note: Betting odds are subject to change.
