Winner of the Betfred Derby at Epsom last month under Wayne Lordan, the son of Australia  took Ireland’s premier classic in the hand of Ryan Moore on Sunday.

Trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan O’Brien, it was a 17th success in the race for the County Wexford-born trainer, it was his 15th win in the last 23 years.

His stable companion, Serious Contender (28/1), ridden by Gavin Ryan, gave him most to do, coming home just three-quarters of a length behind.

The English challenger, Lazy Griff (14/1) was third for jockey William Buick and trainer Charlie Johnston, two and a quarter lengths behind the runner-up.

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Second to her stable companion Minnie Hauk in the Betfred Oaks at Epsom, the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly out-battled the English raider and race favourite Kalpana (5/6) this afternoon.

Urged into the lead from the stalls by Ryan Moore, the daughter of Wootton Bassett, took the field along in the one mile two furlong contest.

When Colin Keane aboard Kalpana came to Whirl in the final furlong, it looked as though it was only a matter of time before the Andrew Balding daughter of Study of Man would claim her race.

"The ultimate racing machine, really."

Aidan O'Brien hails Pretty Polly winner Whirl and a fantastic spectacle in the Group 1 @paddypower-backed highlight at @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/i4VuqfyRbd

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2025

Whirl battled, however, when asked by Moore and was not for passing, completing a treble on the day for Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore and the Coolmore partners, but incredibly a three-timer also for Coolmore Stud stallion Wootton Basseett.

There was a length and quarter between Whirl and Kalpana at the winning line with a further length and three-quarters back to the French-trained Survie (18/1) in third in the seven-runner Group 1.

Group 1 glory!

Whirl strikes from Kalpana in a thrilling €300,000 @paddypower Pretty Polly Stakes for Ryan Moore, Aidan O'Brien and Ballydoyle @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/76Eys2rB3i

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2025

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The Derry rider and For Gold won the RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m class at the  ‘National’ CSI5* event.

In a five horse jump-off, there were three Irish combinations and two from Mexico.

The Irish trio took the three spots on the winners’ podium, with Coyle, who was last to compete in the jump-off taking the highest podium step.

The 14-year-old For Gold gave it his all and stopped the timers with a clear round in 35.85 seconds to seal another victory for Ireland.

Conor Swail and My Lady Lavista, who were third in the Recon Metal Cup 1.55m on Thursday night, were runners-up in this class, with a clear in a time of 36.78 seconds.

Darragh Kenny, a winner aboard Eddy Blue in the Recon Metal 1.55m in the International Ring on Thursday, combined with Diaroubet on this occasion to take third place in 37.56 seconds.

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Aboard the chestnut mare, One Edition, the Irish combination clocked the fastest clear round in the jump-off with a time of 34.38 seconds.

Swail also tied for third in the competition aboard Clonterm Obolensky with fellow Irishman Darragh Kenny and Zero K – they both finished on the exact same time of 34.76 seconds in the jump-off round.

Eugenio Garza Perex of Mexico, riding Chalouries PS, took the second spot in the podium in 34.69 seconds.

Following his win, Conor Swail spoke of the experience his horses can gain while competing all summer at Spruce Meadows, stating.

“One of the interesting things about, you know, the summer season at Spruce Meadows is that you can bring young horses here and get some time with them in a number of different rings. That, that really can help their trajectory as young horses.”

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The Offaly native and Eddy Blue won the Recon Metal Cup 1.55m against a strong field of 40 other combinations.

The Irish combination posted the fastest clear round in the jump off with a time of 40.07 seconds.

David O’Brien and El Balou Old claimed the runner-up spot with a jump-off clear in 40.15 seconds.

Conor Swail and My Lady Lavista were third – clear in 40.23 seconds.

In a tightly-fought leaderboard, there was less than two-tenths of a second from first to third over the Olaf Petersen Jr. designed course.

“It was a great class,” Kenny stated. “Very fast jump off. I absolutely love jumping in this ring. The footing is incredible. You know, it’s always been a lucky ring for me, actually, I’ve always had good success in it.”

The winning Irish rider continued:

“And, my horse was brilliant. He’s in super form at the moment. He had a really uncharacteristic result in the Grand Prix last week, but, he bounced back and jumps super today, and I expect a good result on Saturday.””

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Riding the nine-year-old stallion Clonterm Obolensky, the winning combination stopped the timers in 42.48 seconds – the fastest time of the class.

Overall it was a very good competition for Irish combinations as they took four of the first six places in the class.

Darragh Kenny and Mendoze VDL took second place.

Jordan Coyle and Jorisca were fourth, while Swail also finished in sixth position, riding One Edition. This combination had won the Township Planning + Design Cup Trophy last Saturday.

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World Number 15 ranked Swail and One Edition won the 5* class, after posting a clear round in 41.73 seconds in the 14-horse jump-off.

The time was less than one tenth of a second faster than Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Lightning. Kenny rounded out the podium aboard his mount Diaroubet.

Jordan Coyle and Jorsica were 10th, ensuring four Irish combinations finished in the top-10.

Darragh Kenny had to settle for the runner-up position again in The French Family Cup.

Riding Mendoza VDL, the Irishman was beaten by Grace DeFoe of the United States, who posted a winning clear in 42.40 seconds in the 11-horse jump off.

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It was also a first success in the race for Co Cork-born jockey Wayne Lordan and an eighth in the past 12 years for successful owners, the Coolmore partners.

Lordan and Lambourn, a son of Australia led from the stalls and, in the style of Serpentine in 2020, was not for catching.

He extended his advantage over the field as they came down the home straight.

The 50/1 chance in the betting market, Lazy Griff, was runner-up for trainer Charlie Johnston and jockey Christophe Soumillon three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner.

Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard Tennessee Stud, also owned by the same partners as the winner, finished third for Joseph O’Brien, a further length back.

“Everybody puts in so much”

Aidan O’Brien, for whom it was an 11th success in the Betfred Derby, said:

“I’m only a small part of a very big team. For everybody – everybody puts in so much, I cannot tell you. I can’t tell you the privilege it is for me to be dealing with everybody. Australia [Lambourn’s sire] is a great Derby winner, very genuine, and that’s what this horse is – uncomplicated, genuine and committed. He always has been.

“His runs this year have been very good this year – he was second to Delacroix, and then was very impressive in Chester. Chester again – you have to be on your game and you have to stay, and that’s the way he was. Ryan loved him in Chester and he obviously can’t ride them all. He’s probably an Irish Derby horse, and he will get further as well.”

“It’s a special place to win”

Wayne Lordan was asked by ITV Racing what it was like to win the Derby, with the Cork jockey admitting:

“When you’re growing up… I’ve been watching you (Johnny Murtagh), Pat Smullen, Mick Kinane, and it’s the race you always want to… Then when you get a ride in it, you’re absolutely delighted. I work for Aidan O’Brien, Ballydoyle, Coolmore, and when they give you the opportunity to ride a horse like this, in a race like this, and for him to do it… it’s a special race to win.”

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The Irish rider first took The Partners 1.50m competition on the All Canada Ring. Later in the day, Coyle followed up with success in The Mustangs 1.55m.

Irish podium in The Partners 1.50

The Partners 1.50 class saw an Irish podium clean sweep with Daniel Coyle leading home Darragh Kenny and David O’Brien.

In the seven horse jump-off, Legacy set a quick 40.28 seconds target for the other combinations.

Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Eddie Blue were closest in 41.10 seconds, with David O’Brien and El Balou Old also giving it a good effort with 41.38 seconds, but both ultimately ended slightly short of their fellow countryman.

Coyle doubles up in The Mustangs

In The Mustangs 1.55m, riding the grey gelding Incredible in the sixteen entry class, Daniel Coyle and his partner delivered the fastest clear in the jump-off, breaking the beams in 38.66 seconds.

Coyle was full of praise for the venue, stating:

“I can’t say enough good things about Spruce Meadows. I’ve learned so much here. My horses have learned so much here, it’s an amazing job what they’re doing. They never stop making the place better. They put the new ring (footing) in last year. I think it’s even better this year. So I’m looking forward to the weekend and we’ve had a great start.”

Canada’s Kara Chad (Igor GPH) took the runner-up spot, ahead of Briton Matthew Sampson (Ebolensky) in third.

Jordan Coyle and For Gold were fourth, with Conor Swail and Casturano in tenth place.

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