By Rhys Jones
Boxer James J Braddock once said, ‘Being hit on the chin isn’t so bad; it’s what you do afterwards that makes the difference.’ Few quotes seem more fitting for Joseph O’Brien’s Derby contender James J Braddock, who heads to Epsom carrying both the name and underdog spirit of the former heavyweight champion.
One of the world’s greatest horse races, the prestigious Epsom Derby, is a race every owner, trainer, and jockey wants to win. Greats like Camelot, Sea The Stars, and Shergar have all brought joy and jubilation to their connections, creating a unique feeling. This year, just like his namesake, James J Braddock and jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle could bring the Cinderella story to life.
Like it is every year, the race is filled with talent, class, and elites. Topping the market is Chester Vase winner Benvenuto Cellini, leading the Aidan O’Brien charge, bidding to win his fourth Derby in a row, but the legendary trainer isn’t without a cavalry, as Pierre Bonnard, Christmas Day, and Action all look to conquer Epsom on Saturday.
2025 Derby winner Lambourn wins Aidan O’Brien his 11th Derby win
For a race as prestigious as the Derby, what makes it special is the true test of class it poses on horses. The undulations, the dips and tricky conditions – there is no guarantee any horse can handle the test that the course offers. Although the favourite Benvenuto Cellini and others fancied, such as Andrew Balding’s Item, look solid on paper and have solid form to back them up, the past has shown the track can be a killer for a lot of fancied horses, no matter how good they are, something I believe Joseph O’Brien’s James J Braddock may relish.
As a double-figure price, the Irish Derby trial winner showed extreme class and looked very game the last day at Leopardstown. He beat rivals like Pierre Bonnard and Endorsement with what was a very eye-catching charge in the final furlong, in a race which heavily suggests the extra couple of furlongs will be a massive advantage to him. His profile fits the mile-and-a-half trip well, and with some rain on the way, a bit of juice in the ground is exactly what the horse and connections would want. Given he handles the test of the track in fine style, he looks overpriced and could be the main danger to those heading the market.
I talked to part owner and Sky Sports Racing and ITV Racing analyst Kevin Blake about what kind of chance he thought his horse would have come Derby day, and he talked me through how James J Braddock could suit up nicely for the test.
Sky Sports Racing and ITV Racing analyst Kevin Blake on James J Braddock’s chances at the Derby
For trainer Joseph O’Brien, his dreams of winning the Derby came true after he won aboard Camelot in 2012 and Australia in 2014. Despite being one of the top dual-purpose trainers in the game, the Derby has still eluded him, though his chances of being victorious are promising this year.
The horse itself has shown nothing but fighting spirit so far and looks to have been crying out for the mile-and-a-half trip. The field presents questions, and so does James J Braddock.
With the tactics Aidan O’Brien and his team often play in races like these, it is expected to see the bigger-priced horses like Christmas Day and Action set the pace, while the more fancied horses Benvenuto Cellini and Pierre Bonnard wait in the wings coming around the famous Tattenham Corner, a setup that would suit James J Braddock really well.
The Derby is a special place for all involved, but this year, James J Braddock can deliver something exceptional. This would mark a first win for Joseph O’Brien and a dream victory for Kevin Blake and connections. It’s primetime for James J Braddock on Saturday, and he will be looking to land one big blow to the rest of the field, because when the lights shine bright and you are in the spotlight, when the talking is done and the racing begins, it’s what you do after that makes the difference.
