Overview
- Christmas Day gave Aidan O'Brien his 12th Epsom Derby and his 50th British Classic when he won the race on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
- Stewards reviewed the start after footage showed Benvenuto Cellini with a hind leg on the stalls’ running board and declared him a non‑runner about 20 minutes after the race, despite the colt finishing tenth.
- Bets on Benvenuto Cellini were refunded and winning bets on Christmas Day were initially subject to a 25p‑in‑the‑pound Rule 4 deduction that some bookmakers later waived as a goodwill gesture.
- The decision prompted sharp pushback from bookmakers and punter groups who called for an immediate review, while the British Horseracing Authority defended the use of its rule to align with international stewarding standards.
- Heavy rain left the track soft and influenced performances on the day, and the controversy has raised questions about stewarding practice, race‑day communications and potential changes to how denied‑start incidents are handled.