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Joseph O’Brien has high hopes for talented pair at Epsom
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Mon 1 Jun 2026
Joseph O’Brien is confident he has “two legitimate contenders” for Classic honours at Epsom later this week, with Thundering On heading for Friday’s Betfred Oaks before James J Braddock bids for Betfred Derby glory on Saturday.
Thundering On booked her ticket to the Surrey Downs with victory in the Group Three Salsabil Stakes at Navan in late April, while James J Braddock got the better of Pierre Bonnard in one of Ireland’s key Derby trials at Leopardstown last month.
O’Brien, who won the Derby twice as a rider for his father Aidan aboard Camelot (2012) and Australia (2014), said on Monday: “It looks like we’ll have two runners, one in each of the two big races and we have some entries on the undercard, too.
“There is a bit of rain around during the week which I don’t think will inconvenience either of my two.
“They both won their trials so they have earned a spot in the race. The two of them are around 10-1 and I think they are two legitimate contenders.
“Benvenuto Cellini (Derby favourite) obviously looks classy – Epsom is a stiff test and the ground is still a question mark, but he looks very classy. Outside of him the Derby is very open and we have a form line with Pierre Bonnard.”
Both James J Braddock and Thundering On will be tackling a mile and a half for the first time at Epsom.
When asked about the extended trip for Thundering On, the trainer said: “I’d be hopeful. Her dam (Thundering Nights) didn’t get further than a mile and a quarter, that was her maximum, but she is by Frankel.
“Navan is a stiff test at 10 furlongs and she certainly was good at the line there.
“Thundering On is training well, she couldn’t have done any more than she did the last day and I think it’s the right race for her.”
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