Derby win for down-to-earth Lordan rounds off near-perfect week

Winning rider Wayne Lordan played down his own part but was full of praise for Derby winner Lambourn following the horse’s dominant success in Saturday’s Betfred-sponsored race at Epsom.

Just 24 hours after his mount Whirl was pipped by stablemate Minnie Hauk in the Oaks, Lordan was able to celebrate more fully as the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt made all the running in the prestigious mile and a half contest.

Lordan’s career in the saddle had previously been in doubt after suffering serious leg and arm injuries in the 2023 Irish Derby but the unassuming Ballydoyle rider  has put the eight months he subsequently spent on the sidelines firmly behind him.

He told Racing TV's Nick Luck on Sunday: "It happens to a lot of jockeys, and I was just delighted that I was able to come back."

Though he had tasted success in British Classics before – landing both the 2017 and 2019 renewals of the 1000 Guineas – Lambourn’s victory meant a lot to Lordan as he told Luck: “It’s a great achievement for any jockey and one that is always very welcome on any jockey’s CV.

“The horse did everything to perfection, he jumped out and travelled well and every time I asked him he kept giving me everything that he had.

“He has a very kind nature, and he just does what he has to do; you just have to ask him to keep his rhythm going.”

Lambourn followed in the footsteps of his sire Australia with success on the Downs but had taken a different path to his sire, having already proven his stamina for the Derby distance with success in the Chester Vase last month. As a result, the 43-year-old jockey was able to adjust his tactics accordingly.

Lordan explained: “On paper there were question marks over whether some horses would stay but we knew our horse stayed the trip.

“He’s won on different types of ground and isn’t tied to one or the other; he can cope with anything.

“He is very classy, but he doesn’t look flashy because he doesn't travel hard on the bridle – he doesn’t quicken.

“But if you go on times and performances then he’s clearly a good horse.”

Reflecting on Whirl’s runner-up effort on Friday, the Co Cork jockey noted the similarities between the two performances.

He said: “I think Whirl’s a good filly – she is a bit like Lambourn in that she just bowls away and then keeps finding.

“Ryan [Moore, rider of winner Minnie Hauk] looked like he was going to come and beat me well, but his filly had a look and showed some greenness and gave me a chance to come back at him a bit.

“Even though we were beaten I was delighted with her performance, and she gave me everything that I asked of her.”