Aidan O’Brien secured a monumental 18th Irish Derby title in spectacular fashion as Benvenuto Cellini spearheaded a dominant top-three sweep for the powerhouse stable

The brilliant son of Frankel, who had been one of the primary casualties of the demanding, rain-softened ground at Epsom, relished a return to a sound surface, putting on a spectacular display over the firm turf at The Curragh

COUNTY KILDARE, Ireland— If any sophomore in Europe had unfinished business with the classic generation, it was undoubtedly Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel). Three weeks after seeing his classic aspirations thoroughly compromised in the deep Epsom mud, the brilliant colt found the absolute perfect canvas at The Curragh to display his true quality, registering an authoritative victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) over 2,400 meters on the turf.

Relishing a fast turf course that stood in stark contrast to the grueling conditions that defeated him in England, the Coolmore homebred dominated the classic fixture with immense solvency. The victory provided master trainer Aidan O’Brien with a historic, record-extending 18th triumph in the Irish classic and spearheaded yet another devastating 1-2-3 sweep for the powerful Ballydoyle stable, with stablemates Christmas Day (Camelot) and Pierre Bonnard (Camelot) rounding out the top three spots.

Regular pilot Ryan Moore was quick to point out that the performance served as absolute vindication for their English frustration. "He has an immense amount of quality, and Epsom was just a complete disaster," Moore summarized. "The circumstances were incredibly specific that day, and he simply never had a chance to show what he could do. He is a horse with a beautiful, fluid stride, and today he traveled exceptionally well under me throughout the entire journey."

Dispatched as the 7-to-4 post-time favorite despite drawing the extreme outside post in the small field, Benvenuto Cellini saw any tactical disadvantage quickly erased by Moore, who aggressively guided the colt toward the rail immediately after the break. While stablemate Action (Frankel) executed his role as pacemaker by setting a demanding early tempo, Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard tracked intently from a striking position, closely flanked by Shaihaan (Night of Thunder)—the lone outsider who looked to threaten the Ballydoyle contingent.

Upon entering the expansive Curragh straightaway, Moore angled Benvenuto Cellini toward the center of the course, and the dual winner of the Champions Juvenile Stakes (G2) and Chester Vase (G3) unleashed a powerful turn of foot. He effortlessly pulled alongside the recent Epsom Derby victor before the final furlong and, once in command, comfortably handled his rivals to hit the wire 1 3/4 lengths clear of Christmas Day, while Pierre Bonnard—finally displaying the elite level expected of him this season—finished a gritty third, just a neck further adrift.

Stopping the clock in a sharp 2:28.33 for the classic distance, this renewal officially enters the record books as the fifth-fastest running of the Irish Derby so far this century.

Moore acknowledged post-race that the tactical plan required precise timing due to a strong headwind whipping down the stretch. "I had to move on him a bit earlier than I originally intended, but with a wind like this, The Curragh always becomes tricky, and you simply cannot expect to win coming from too far out of it. The Epsom winner ran creditably again, he's a very brave colt, and Pierre showed his true quality today too. We always believed any of our three could win this race, and under different circumstances, any one of them might have taken it," Moore concluded.

For Benvenuto Cellini, the classic triumph provides the ultimate bounce-back after his Epsom heartbreak, firmly cementing his status among the absolute elite of the European sophomore staying ranks when allowed a proper surface. For O'Brien, meanwhile, it stands as yet another definitive masterclass in his unprecedented, historic dominance over Ireland's premier classic.