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Horse racing-Lambourn wins Epsom Derby for O'Brien

The front-running Lambourn won the Epsom Derby in its 246th edition on Saturday. It was Aidan O'Brien's 11th victory in this race, which is a new record.

Lambourn was 13-2 when he entered the race. He set off at a blazing gallop, and under Wayne Lordan he broke away from the rest of the field to stay unchallenged until the finish line.

The Epsom Derby, which is run over a horseshoe-shaped course, is the ultimate test of speed and stamina for thoroughbreds.

The Lion in Winter and Delacroix were not the favourites of O'Brien. Delacroix was ridden by Ryan Moore.

O'Brien dismissed claims that the colt had been overlooked during the preparation for the race.

He said: "Wayne was aggressive right out of the gate, he gained a good position." "I knew that Wayne was not going to give back any of the inches he had gained, and it would be difficult to beat him."

O'Brien, the Derby's most-successful trainer, won the Oaks and Derby double after Minnie Hauk, the fillies' Classic winner on Friday, beat the previously unbeaten favorite Desert Flower to third place.

Lambourn’s win was also the first British Classic victory for jockey Wayne Lordan, who has been working at Ballydoyle since around eight years.

He said, "I knew that he'd had a good run, and his ears were pricked, but he still had plenty of energy left. I knew anyone who got to me had to be in great shape, or it would be a tough time for them."

It is the best race for a jockey who wants to get started. All you want to do in life is win the Derby."

Lazy Griff (50-1), who had been tracking the leaders along the inside rail of the track, finished second.

Charlie Johnston, the trainer of the colt, said before the race that he hoped more rain would fall on the colt.

He said, "We were delighted to see him in Chester. His preparation was interrupted and we knew that he would be ready for anything he did on that day. And he also had a smoother transition into this."

Tennessee Stud, the 28-1 long shot for trainer Joseph O'Brien's son Aidan, came in third.

Ruling Court, 2,000 Guineas champion, withdrew from the race because of the predicted rain. However, the rain held off until the Derby.

(source: Reuters)