THE CURRAGH, Ireland (AFP) — Lambourn produced a courageous performance to add the Irish Derby to his Epsom Derby laurels on Sunday and give trainer Aidan O’Brien a record-extending 17th win in the Curragh classic.

It was the sixth time O’Brien, 55, has achieved the Epsom/Irish Derby double in his stellar career.

Ryan Moore had to get to work on the 8/13 odds-on favourite a long way out — perhaps frustrated that, unlike Epsom, when he led from start to finish he had rank outsider Sir Dinadan for company.

Indeed, he looked in trouble when stablemate Serious Contender came to challenge in the finishing straight.

However, showing the class he had at Epsom the bold front-runner held off 20/1 chance Serious Contender and edged away to win by 3/4 of a length.

The Epsom Derby form passed a major test as the two that followed Lambourn home earlier this month performed respectably.

Epsom Derby runner-up Lazy Griff came from way off the pace under William Buick to snatch third.

Epsom Derby third Tennessee Stud, trained by O’Brien’s son Joseph, finished fourth.

There was yet another blowout from English challenger Pride of Arras, who was hotly fancied for the Epsom version but finished 17th of 18.

Given another shot at Derby glory and again fancied he did not even have the mini consolation of beating one home this time, finishing 10th and last.

Over in France, Calandagan ran out the impressive winner of the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud — his first win at the highest level after four narrow Group One seconds.

He pulled well clear of Aventure, last year’s runner-up in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Unlike Aventure, a filly, the Francis Graffard-trained Calandagan is unable to go for the Arc, which bans geldings from competing in Europe’s top all-age showpiece at Longchamp in October.