Innishannon jockey Wayne Lordan lands Epsom Derby on Lambourn

Lambourn stormed clear of his rivals under Innishannon jockey Wayne Lordan to land the Group One Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday afternoon. 

He provided Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O'Brien with an 11th victory in the Blue Riband Classic. Lordan had gone agonisingly close yesterday in the Oaks when finishing second aboard Whirl. Lambourn who was a well-supported 13-2 chance set a relentless gallop on the rain-softened ground and never looked like being reeled in.

All week in the build-up to the Epsom Classic Lambourn had been perceived as the third string for the all-conquering Ballydoyle outfit. Ryan Moore was onboard the 2-1 favourite Delacroix with Colin Keane on the winter ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter. 

However, Lambourn who was 12/1 midweek was well supported in the last few days. Lordan dictated the fractions as he led the field down Tattenham Corner and stretched further clear inside the final furlong. Just as he had in the Chester Vase, Charlie Johnston’s Lazy Griff chased him home, three and three-quarter lengths behind the 13-2 winner. Joseph O’Brien’s Tennessee Stud finished third.

Lordan reflected on coming first past the post in a race he believes every aspiring jockey wants to win.

It's one of the greatest races and when you start out as a jockey it's the race you want to win. 

"I'm fortunate to be in the position to ride these horses for Aidan." 

Lordan rode his first winner for former Berring's trainer Gerry Cully aboard Ethbaat at Killarney in 1998. He's enjoyed multiple Group success in the interim. His first Group One success came in 2010 aboard Sole Power in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York when a rank outsider at 100/1 for Eddie Lynam. 

Lordan landed his first classic victory aboard Winter in the 2017 1,000 Guineas. He had joined Aidan O'Brien stable in Ballydoyle in 2017 and added to his Classic gains with Hermosa in the 1,000 Guineas in 2019. Later that year he landed the biggest success of his career in the United States in the Breeders Cup aboard Iridessa for Joseph O'Brien in the Breeders Cup Fillies and Mare's Turf.

The Cork pilot also enjoyed a memorable Royal Ascot victory in 2014 for Eddie Lynam aboard Slade Power in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Lynam had provided Wayne with his first Group One win.

RESILIENT

Lordan's resilience to return to the saddle spoke volumes about his character after he was out for eight months after recovering from the serious injuries suffered when being unseated in the 2023 Irish Derby. The multiple Group One-winning jockey was unshipped from San Antonio half a mile from home at the Curragh, which left him knocked out with fractures to his legs and elbow, as well as a nasty laceration to his arm. 

San Antonio was fatally injured in that incident Lordan spent almost a fortnight in Tallaght Hospital before beginning his road to recovery at Beaumont Hospital.