Constitution River flows to French Derby success for Aidan O'Brien in Prix du Jockey Club
Constitution River and Ryan Moore delivered a third success in the Prix du Jockey Club for Aidan O'Brien leading home a 1-2-3 for the master of Ballydoyle with Hawk Mountain and the long-time leader Montreal chasing them home
Sunday 31 May 2026 17:32, UK
Constitution River advertised his star quality when leading home a one-two-three for Aidan O’Brien in the Prix du Jockey Club.
The impressive Dee Stakes winner's Classic target had been the subject of much discussion in recent weeks, but with the master of Ballydoyle staying true to his initial inkling that the 10 furlongs of Chantilly would prove perfect for the son of Wootton Bassett, he was justified in style.
Handed a tricky draw in stall 15 of 16, O'Brien had predicted a tactical affair, but with stablemates Montreal and Hawk Mountain moving forward in the early stages while Ryan Moore kept Constitution River wide before tacking across to shadow his team-mates, it was the Irish raiders who dominated affairs from start to finish.
While Montreal led the Coolmore-owned trio into the straight, the eye was always trained to Moore in the Michael Tabor silks as he asked his mount to quicken and he did so smartly to lead home Hawk Mountain in second and the pacemaking Montreal not disgraced in third.
O'Brien, winning the race for the third time, said: "We're delighted and a lot of people put a lot of work in day in day out to make this happen.
"I knew the three lads [jockeys] were speaking before the race and were communicating very well and they had everything very clear in their minds what would happen, but obviously when they go out they then make their own minds up and whatever happens, happens.
"Ryan had a very difficult draw and we thought it would be very difficult for him as he [Constitution River] is still a baby and very green. He went to Chester and won easily with a bit of ease in the ground so this was always going to be a different scenario for him on fast ground."
Constitution River was made the 5-2 joint favourite alongside Ombudsman for the Eclipse by race sponsor Coral, but while O'Brien refused to rule the race out, he hinted a patient approach may be taken with the talented colt, who was also made 10-1 from 16s for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe by the same firm.
"He's a big horse and he won't be rushed through summer and I wouldn't be surprised if we were gentle with him and took our time a little bit with him before his next run," added O'Brien.
"It was a tough race today and those horses battled all the way up the straight. The lads will decide and discuss things with M V [Magnier] and then he will speak with me. I would imagine they will take their time and he might have a little time off in the summer and come back for one of those Arc trials or something else in the autumn.
"Ryan said before the race the way he rode him, a mile, a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half would all be okay. Obviously we learned today he is still a baby and we'll see where we go. Ryan said he would definitely get further.
"Obviously if he came out of the race really well, the Coral-Eclipse is the race the lads often run those good three-year-olds in so I wouldn't rule anything in or out, but we'll see how he is."
O'Brien's French Derby one-two-three comes 10 years after Found led home stablemates Highland Reel and Order Of St George in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which that year run was run at Chantilly.
On another momentous achievement in France, O'Brien said: "The lads had some good horses who they had to split up between here and Epsom and it was the logical thing to do with the horses who came here. When it happens it's unbelievable and you never believe it could happen and for Michael [Tabor] and Derrick [Smith] to be here is incredible.
"We always look at the races with one eye closed and then open them as they go along and see what's happened, so it's incredible really and so much effort goes in every day. I'm delighted for everybody."
Meanwhile, Moore is predicting even more from his mount after being praised for his tactically astute ride aboard the winner.
He said: "We thought a lot of him, the draw was a slight concern but I knew I had a very good horse and I believed a horse like him would overcome that because he's so straightforward, has great speed and a good temperament and gets the trip well - I'd say he's quite a special horse really.
"He could step up in trip at some stage in his career, but he'd be comfortable coming back in trip and he'd be comfortable going further - he's quite a rare horse."
