Andy Newton

How Many Times Has Aidan O’Brien Won the Irish Derby?

by
Andy Newton
23 June 2026

Aidan O'Brien has three big St Leger chances

Aidan O’Brien has established himself as the undisputed king of the Irish Derby – but how many times has the Ballydoyle handler won the Curragh Classic?

The Ballydoyle trainer has fired in a remarkable 17 Irish Derby wins, with his first Desert King in 1997.

And since that debut success has rewritten the record books, dominating one of Ireland’s most prestigious races for almost three decades.

His latest success came with Lambourn in 2025, extending his own record and further underlining his grip on the Curragh end-of-June race.

From Galileo and High Chaparral to Camelot, Australia and Auguste Rodin, many of O’Brien’s winners have gone on to become champion racehorses and influential stallions.

Here’s the full list of Aidan O’Brien Irish Derby winners.

Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby Winners (17)

1997 – Desert King
2001 – Galileo
2002 – High Chaparral
2006 – Dylan Thomas
2007 – Soldier Of Fortune
2008 – Frozen Fire
2009 – Fame And Glory
2010 – Cape Blanco
2011 – Treasure Beach
2012 – Camelot
2014 – Australia
2017 – Capri
2019 – Sovereign
2020 – Santiago
2023 – Auguste Rodin
2024 – Los Angeles
2025 – Lambourn

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WATCH: Desert King – Aidan O’Brien’s First Irish Derby Winner

O’Brien The Winning-Most Irish Derby Trainer (Easily)

Aidan O’Brien’s 17 Irish Derby victories are comfortably the most by any trainer in the history of the race.

O’Brien has also enjoyed extraordinary recent dominance, winning three consecutive renewals between 2023 and 2025.

Amazingly, since 2006 only seven different trainers have won the Irish Derby – as O’Brien has won 14 over this period, including the last three.

Galileo (2001)

Galileo’s victory proved a landmark moment for Ballydoyle.

He arrived at the Curragh after winning the Epsom Derby and completed the famous Derby double before becoming one of the greatest stallions in racing history.

The son of Sadler’s Wells would transform the breed, siring countless Group One winners and becoming the cornerstone of Coolmore’s breeding empire.

His Irish Derby success remains one of the defining victories of O’Brien’s career.

High Chaparral (2002)

Twelve months later, High Chaparral gave O’Brien ‘back-to-back’ victories.

He would go on to win two Breeders’ Cup Turf contests and become another hugely successful stallion.

His toughness and versatility made him one of the outstanding middle-distance horses of his generation.

Camelot (2012)

Camelot arrived at the Curragh seeking the Triple Crown after already winning both the 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby.

Although he ultimately fell short in the St Leger, his Irish Derby success cemented his place among the modern greats.

Joseph O’Brien partnered the colt to victory in one of the most anticipated Irish Derbies of recent decades.

Australia (2014)

Australia was regarded as one of Ballydoyle’s most naturally gifted horses and justified favouritism in both the Epsom and Irish Derby.

The son of Galileo and Oaks heroine Ouija Board possessed a devastating turn of foot and later added the Juddmonte International to his record.

Auguste Rodin (2023)

Auguste Rodin bounced back from disappointment in the 2,000 Guineas to win both the Epsom Derby and Irish Derby.

His Curragh victory marked O’Brien’s 15th success in the race and further enhanced the colt’s reputation before later Group One victories at the highest level.

Lambourn – O’Brien’s Most Recent Irish Derby Winner (2025)

Lambourn provided O’Brien with his record-extending 17th Irish Derby success in 2025.

Having already captured the Epsom Derby earlier in the month, the son of Australia showed tremendous determination at the Curragh to complete the coveted Derby double.

Ryan Moore produced the colt at the perfect moment as he held off stablemate Serious Contender to continue Ballydoyle’s remarkable domination of the race.

The victory also completed a third successive Irish Derby for O’Brien following wins by Auguste Rodin and Los Angeles, while Lambourn became the 20th horse to complete the Epsom-Irish Derby double.

Lambourn’s Irish Derby win also gave Ryan Moore a third win in the race – with all these coming in the last three renewals.

Aidan O’Brien’s Best Chances in the 2026 Irish Derby

With the 2026 Irish Derby approaching, Ballydoyle once again appears to hold a particularly strong hand.

Christmas Day

Following his victory in the 2026 Epsom Derby, Christmas Day is one of the fancies for the Curragh Classic on Sunday.

The son of Camelot gave O’Brien a record 12th Epsom Derby victory and looks the obvious candidate to attempt the Derby double.

He’ll be looking to become the 20th Epsom/Irish Derby winner – with Lambourn in 2025 the most recent.

Benvenuto Cellini

Benvenuto Cellini was strongly fancied before the Epsom Derby after winning the Chester Vase with ease and remains one of Ballydoyle’s leading middle-distance colts.

Connections have always held him in high regard and the Curragh’s galloping track could play more to his strengths.

However, last time in the Epsom Derby, he got one of his hind legs caught in the starting gates and wasn’t able to get away on terms with the other Derby runners.

And after the race was declared a non-runner by the Epsom stewards.