Winning the Epsom Derby is a dream. Following it up with victory in the Irish Derby? That’s the stuff of racing legends.
Just 19 horses have ever pulled off the famous British and Irish Derby double—a rare achievement that demands class, stamina and perfect preparation.
Horse racing odds can offer valuable clues for those tracking form ahead of the summer classics. Be sure to check the latest races & jockey cards to stay on top of market movers and entries. As the countdown continues, here’s a look at the last five elite colts who managed to conquer both Derbies.
2023: Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin entered the 2023 season with a considerable reputation and the potential to be a generational talent. However, after bombing out in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, his status was suddenly on the line.
It wasn’t long before he silenced his critics, however, with a power-packed performance at Epsom Downs when keeping on well to beat 66/1 outsider King Of Steel by half a length. Almost one month later, he proved that his class was never in question with a victory over stablemate Adelaide River.
2016: Harzand
A Group 3 Ballysax winner on his third start as a juvenile at Leopardstown in April 2016, Harzand wasn’t seen in over a year before streaking home at Epsom in June 2016—beating favourite US Army Ranger by over a length and a half despite losing a shoe on the way to the track and injuring his foot.
The grit and determination of Harzand were on full display again at the Curragh when he dug deep under pressure from O’Brien’s Idaho to keep on well inside the final furlong for a narrow victory over his nearest rival in the pre-race betting.
2014: Australia
As a son of Camelot and Ouija Board, who also had form over a mile and a half with group victories, Australia had a champion pedigree and was born to win the Derby. He finished strongly for third in the 2000 Guineas and appreciated Epsom’s longer trip when justifying short-price favouritism.
Australia was 1/8 for the Irish Derby, making him one of the shortest-priced favourites in the Curragh’s history, and he delivered again, beating stablemates Kingfisher and Orchestra in an O’Brien 1-2-3 with Aidan’s son Joseph on board.
2012: Camelot
Speaking of Camelot, this iconic horse went so close to completing the Derby double in 2012 and a legendary Triple Crown feat, which would have crowned him the first horse to win the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger since Nijinsky in 1970.
Having beaten French Fifteen by a neck in the 2000 Guineas to extend his unbeaten record to three, Camelot cruised home by five lengths at Epsom and followed up emphatically at the Curragh, beating Born To Sea by two lengths.
Just three quarters of a length behind Encke at Doncaster in September 2012, Camelot was stopped from etching his name in history as a Triple Crown winner.
2001: Galileo
A horse who changed flat racing forever, Galileo wasn’t just brilliant on the track—he has become one of the most influential sires of the 21st century, and arguably of all time.
Unbeaten in his first six starts, the British and Irish Derbies were almost routine for Galileo, as he beat Golan by over three lengths and Morshdi by four lengths—a reflection of just how far ahead he was of his peers.
He has since sired over 100 group/grade 1 winners, including Galileo, Australia, Auguste Rodin and the fabled Frankel.
