SportHorse racingChristmasAidan O’Brien trains four of the candidates for the Betfred-sponsored race including big race favourite Benvenuto Cellini, the likely mount of Ryan Moore10:23, 03 Jun 2026Updated 10:52, 03 Jun 2026Aidan O’Brien will bid for a 12th victory in the £2 million Betfred Derby with yet another strong team of contenders.‌The Ballydoyle maestro captured the French Derby on Sunday with Constitution River, in the process sealing a 1-2-3 with horses from his stable. He yet again appears to have a stranglehold on the Epsom Classic for which he will rely on four horses after the 72-hour declaration deadline was reached on Wednesday for Saturday’s big race.‌His team is headed by Benvenuto Cellini, the Chester Vase winner, who is the bookies favourite to clinch O’Brien’s fourth victory in a row, following successes with Lambourn, City Of Troy and Auguste Rodin.‌He is likely to be number one jockey Ryan Moore’s big race mount as he seeks a fifth win at Epsom.O’Brien’s other contenders are Action, Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard. The main threat to more O’Brien domination will come from Item, trained by Andrew Balding for Juddmonte, who won the Dante Stakes, and Maltese Cross, owned by film producer George Waud, and trained by William Haggas. He earned his place with victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial over Bay Of Brilliance, who is also in the line-up.‌Joseph O’Brien, son of Aidan, will attempt to win the race he captured as a jockey with James J Braddock who won the Leopardstown Derby Trial.While football agent Kia Joorabchian, who has had two Derby near-misses in Amo Racing colours, has high hopes for Ancient Egypt and also runs outsider Poker.The Yorkshire-trained colt, who cost connections £1.1 million at auction, won the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket last month.Article continues belowThe draw will be made at a special ceremony in London on Wednesday from 11am.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Jamie SpencerRichard HannonAuguste RodinAidan O'BrienRyan MooreThe YorkshireChristmasFeilden StakesDante StakesAnimals