Lambourn made virtually all the running under Wayne Lordan to win the Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

The 13/2 shot was in front after a furlong or two and went for home a long way out with the aim of making his stamina tell. He was over three lengths clear at the line. It was left to outsiders Lazy Griff (50/1) and Tennessee Stud (28/1) to fill the minor placings.

New Ground (50/1) finished fourth and Stanhope Gardens was fifth.

The favourite Delacroix, stable companion of the winner, never figured. Godolphin withdrew their main hope Ruling Court in the hours before the race due to rain-softened ground.

Wayne Lordan said: "We went a good gallop but his ears were pricked and I knew he had plenty left. He stays well so anyone who was going to get me would have to stay well. I wasn't surprised nothing got to me as my horse was going forward. This is one of the greatest races for any jockey to win. I am in a lucky position to ride a horse like this."

Aidan O'Brien commented: "Wayne got the fractions just right. I'm delighted for him - he has done so much hard work for us over the years. Lambourn is a very uncomplicated and genuine horse. His two runs earlier in the year were very good - he finished second to Delacroix at Leopardstown and then he won at Chester. He's probably an Irish Derby horse and he will stay further."

On Delacroix’s run, he said: “Ryan said he got taken out early. Up the hill I think he was bunched and was back, and he said his chance was over from about halfway.”

On The Lion In Winter’s run, he said: “Colin said at the top of the hill he felt he wasn’t going forward, maybe the track or the ground, we’ll see. He felt at the top of the hill like he wasn’t going to win.”

Lambourn is by the Derby winner Australia, who himself is by Derby winner Galileo - both trained by Aidan O'Brien. Lambourn's dam Gossamer Wings (by Scat Daddy) was also trained by O'Brien and finished a close second in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2018.

Lordan suffered a serious injury when riding for O'Brien in the 2023 Irish Derby. He fractured his elbow and both legs, and also suffered a head injury which kept him out for eight months.

Speaking to the media after the Derby, Lordan said: "I’m 43, from Cork, my family were always involved in point-to-points and stuff, I was born into it and have enjoyed every bit of it.

“When you’re getting into racing, this is the race you always want to ride in. I’m lucky that I work for Aidan and get to ride good horses and get opportunities. I’ve had previous rides in the Derby, but I’m just glad it worked out today. He’s a lovely genuine horse. I was just anxious to get him into this stride, because he stays well. I got him into a good rhythm in front and he was enjoying it, with his ears pricked. I was able to go forward good and early because we always thought he was a horse that stays well.

“I was only happy when I passed the line - you don’t know, there are always horses flying home - and on the filly yesterday [Whirl, second in the Oaks] I thought I was going well and then Ryan passed me in the last 50 yards. I knew anything that got past me was going to have to stay really well and I knew my horse was genuine and tries hard.

“I do feel this horse was a bit overlooked because he’s not a flashy horse, he goes along behind the bridle, he just does his own thing. I suppose the other horses are good travellers, they are good to quicken. Mine was just genuine and going along with it all. But if you looked for it it was always in there.”

On working for Aidan, the jockey added: “Aidan is very straightforward, the horses are well prepared and he gives good instructions and as long as you carry them out, if you win, great, and if you don’t, you’ve tried your best."

The jockey had earlier told ITV Racing: “He is a very straightforward horse and he does race lazily, when he jumps he is just a little bit slow into his stride. So when I was drawn in the middle, I was pleased with that as I thought I wouldn’t get crowded too quick, and I got a chance to get him up and into his stride.

“He’s a big-striding horse, but he saves everything in reserve. I thought he was going a good gallop and I passed the six [pole] and his two ears pricked and I knew I had to go again here as something with a bit of pace behind me could quicken by him. He just waits the whole time.

“I felt we were going even, I knew we wouldn’t be going too quick on this horse, even though you’re lying into his neck and asking him to go forward, as he just preserves away the whole time. So I was just keeping the pressure on to keep the momentum flowing.

“As you see him there (travelling mid-race), that’s how he does his work at home. He’s not a flashy horse. The other horses jump off, they show pace, and they quicken. This fella just pulls his sleeves up and potters along, but he’s always there at the end.

“I just wanted to see the three pole to get going on him, because I knew that whatever was going to get by me would have to deserve to get by me and stay.

“There’s a lot of good horses in the race, but when you go down through it, there was always the question mark of the trip – and I knew that I could get a-mile-and-a-half-plus. So I was happy to make sure that whatever was going to be coming would have to stay well. When I got a flick into him passing the two [pole], he went forward and I knew if I gave him another one, he would go forward again. The last furlong I knew he was still galloping strong."

REACTIONS FROM CONNECTIONS OF THE BEATEN HORSES

Christophe Soumillon, rider of the second Lazy Griff: “Listen, he did everything perfectly. He was a little bit nervous in the paddock, but when we were going down to the start he was well-behaved, he was moving really well, and this kind of track suits him.

“When I came into the downhill with Mickael, I told them there was nobody able to follow us and I was cruising, so I thought at that point I’d be able to win the race. Then I took my time to come out - I don’t think it was the best option, I maybe should have stayed on the rail, but the horse in front was so lazy on the turn I thought he would stop at a point, and finally he never gave up and kept going to the end, but I am very proud of my horse. It was a huge run from him and it’s the same form as the Chester Vase. I was very surprised when I saw the odds in the Racing Post this morning at the airport - how can I be so high? For me he was a nice horse with a decent chance and finally he proved it today on the track. I just spoke to the trainer now and he asked me if he could go for the Leger- I think that will also be an option, as is the German Derby; he stays really well. When you finish second in the Epsom Derby you have a lot of kilos in hand for that [the German Derby].”

Charlie Johnston, trainer of Lazy Griff (2nd) said: "Fantastic run. I couldn’t say it enough times, that I thought the horse was overpriced and unconsidered. That Chester Vase form looks alright now, doesn’t it? And, to be honest, I didn’t think he’d love the track - I thought he’d be better in Ireland or better in Doncaster, so there’s lots to look forward to. The Irish Derby would be an option.”

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of the third Tennessee Stud, said: “He ran great. He was a little bit slower into his stride than we maybe expected, but it was a really good run. Very proud of the horse, a great ride from Dylan and I’m delighted for all of the owners.”

Hector Crouch, rider of Stanhope Gardens (5th): “He’s run very well. It’s been well documented he’d had a difficult prep, but he gave me an unbelievable feel at the top of the hill. I thought that once he got in the clear I was going to have a say, but he had a lot of ground to make up and just got tired.”

Rossa Ryan, rider of Pride Of Arras (17th): “He was very inexperienced for this track. He wasn’t comfortable coming down the hill.”

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Stanhope Gardens and Pride Of Arras, added: “It looks as if Pride of Arras didn’t come down the hill. He came on the bridle at the top of the hill but then he was on the wrong leg and it was the wrong way round so it was all over. Stanhope Gardens has run extremely well and was only just run out of third. He’s run a terrific race. We’ll have to have a think about what we do with him now, but all options are open to him, including the Irish Derby. He’s done a lot of running to get to third, and you might wonder if he stayed. We’ll have to watch it again.”

Colin Keane, rider of The Lion In Winter (14th): “That was disappointing as he was beaten a long way out, so it’s hard to tell.”

Simon Crisford, joint trainer of Sea Scout (11th): “It was a very good run. He’s just not quite that level at this stage of his career but he’s run with great credit.”

Mickael Barzalona, rider of Midak (10th): “He travelled well but found the ground too challenging for him.”

Oisin Murphy, rider of Tornado Alert (6th): “It was a good run from my fellow and I thought he got the distance pretty well. He’s an improving horse.”

Alexis Pouchin, rider of New Ground (4th): “It wasn’t easy and from the beginning I didn’t have the speed to go with the first group, but he finished well and is a good horse.”

Tom Marquand, rider of Nightwalker (12th): “He never really travelled to be honest. He just struggled to get going in the first part of the race up the hill on that ground, and then it was tough to make up that ground with the fractions that had been set.”

Ahmad Al Shaikh, owner of Green Storm (7th) and Al Wasl Storm (15th): “It wasn’t my day this time, but Green Storm looks a mile and a quarter horse and Al Wassl Storm looks a two-miler, so we learn something every time. I’ll be back next year.”