When it comes to the midsummer showpiece at Sandown, the Coral-Eclipse, Aidan O’Brien doesn’t just participate-he dominates.
The master of Ballydoyle has tasted victory in the prestigious 1m2f Group 1 a record NINE times.
And with another strong hand this year, it will be a brave person that says his Coral-Eclipse haul won’t hit double-figures in 2026.
His relationship with the race spans over a quarter of a century, showcasing a relentless conveyor belt of champions transitioning from the Classic generation to conquer their older peers.
With the first Aidan O’Brien Eclipse winner back in 2000 when the gutsy Giant’s Causeway won under jockey George Duffield.
Over the next 25+ years another eight winners in the famous Sandown Group One followed. With some big names gracing the Eclipse hall-of-fame.
Aidan O’Brien Coral-Eclipse Stakes Winners
Giant’s Causeway (2000):
The original “Iron Horse” showed his trademark ferocious grit to lower the colors of Kalanisi in a thrilling finish, initiating a legendary five-Group 1 winning streak that summer.
George Duffield did the steering.
Hawk Wing (2002):
Unbeaten as a juvenile, he bounced back from a narrow defeat in the 2,000 Guineas to deliver an emphatic, utterly dominant performance at Sandown under Mick Kinane.
Oratorio (2005):
Denied in the Classics by his peerless stablemate Shamrocker, he enjoyed his finest hour here by out-battling the brilliant 2,000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand.
His win gave jockey Kieren Fallon his second win in the race.
Mount Nelson (2008):
Proved O’Brien’s masterclass in patience, overcoming a long injury layoff to land a spectacular, late-gasp victory at 16-1 under Johnny Murtagh.
So You Think (2011):
The dual Cox Plate hero arrived from Australia with immense reputation and fully delivered, putting in a powerhouse performance to confidently dispatch former Epsom Derby winner Workforce.
The win gave Seamie Heffernan his sole Coral-Eclispe success.
St Mark’s Basilica (2021):
Completed a rare and glittering treble by adding the Eclipse to his French Guineas and French Derby haul, comfortably defeating elite older horses Addeybb and Mishriff.
He was Ryan Moore’s first Eclipse win for O’Brien. But his second at the time, having won the race in 2007 on Notnocato.
Paddington (2023):
The ultimate modern-day “Iron Horse” who backed up his Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace triumphs by easily pulling clear of Emily Upjohn on his first try at ten furlongs.
Ryan Moore was again in the saddle.
City of Troy (2024):
Redeemed his juvenile brilliance completely by backing up his Epsom Derby triumph with a battling, front-running victory on testing, rain-softened ground.
City Of Troy gave Ryan Moore a fourth Eclipse.
Delacroix (2025):
Continued the three-year-old dominance for Ballydoyle, arriving fresh from a strong classic campaign to record a record-breaking ninth Eclipse trophy for his trainer.
Winning under a power-packed Ryan Moore ride to see of recent Royal Ascot winner Ombudsman.
Plus gave Moore and O’Brien a third Eclipse in-a-row – the last trainer to do that was Alec Taylor Jr. between 1919 and 2021.
The 2026 Aidan O’Brien Coral-Eclipse Runners
O’Brien stands on the precipice of history yet again.
No trainer has ever won four consecutive renewals of the Coral-Eclipse.
But a three-pronged assault in 2026 gives him every chance of making it ten overall.
Leading the charge is a fascinating intra-stable rivalry that has captured the racing world’s imagination, featuring the first and second-place finishers from the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby).
Constitution River: The current market favourite for Saturday’s ITV Racing contest and standard-bearer for this year’s Classic crop.
He arrives at Sandown practically flawless this season. Having captured the Dee Stakes at Chester before overcoming a nightmare draw in stall 15 to win grandly at Chantilly.
Constitution River has proven handling of right-handed tracks and acts as O’Brien’s primary weapon.
Ryan Moore rides as he look for his fourth Eclipse win on the spin.
Hawk Mountain: Last year’s Futurity Trophy winner at Doncaster who has proven to be an elite competitor at three.
After easily landing the Prix de Guiche, he was beaten just three-quarters of a length by his stablemate in France.
Swerving a German Derby engagement to come here on quicker ground, he represents a massive threat to his neighbour.
Wayne Lordan rides.
Flushing Meadows: Completing the trio, this outsider is officially declared.
And is widely expected to handle pacemaking duties, ensuring an authentic, end-to-end gallop to suit the stable’s powerhouse closers.
Sean Leavy will do the steering.
