Braddock backed to be Derby contender
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Mon 25 May 2026
Joseph O’Brien is prepared to “roll the dice” with James J Braddock in the Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday week.
The Zarak colt beat former ante-post favourite Pierre Bonnard in the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial at Leopardstown.
The Group Three race had a golden spell at the turn of the century, with Sinndar, Galileo and High Chaparral winning in successive years and all going on to Derby glory.
“We have other options than Epsom, but it is most likely he will go there now,” said O’Brien.
“When you win a trial and are going to be in the top four in the betting, you have to roll the dice. He is an exciting colt.”
O’Brien has received another boost with news he will join Dermot Weld and Ger Lyons as a trainer for owner/breeders Juddmonte Farms in Ireland.
He told Nick Luck’s Daily podcast: “It’s a real privilege to have been asked to train for the Juddmonte family and the team there.
“Obviously they’ve had an incredible number of years as an historic operation and colours, so it really is a privilege.
“It came about through Barry Mahon (European racing manager for Juddmonte) a little while ago, some of the team came and visited the yard and things went from there.
“We just have a couple of two-year-olds, obviously at this stage of the season they will be second-half of the season types
“Hopefully we can have some success and it can be a long and fruitful relationship.”
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