Image may contain: one or more people and text

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A.P.O'Brien Group Race History Honours Board

Image may contain: text

A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses Updated

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling

A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated

Image may contain: 1 person

A.P.O'Brien Career Stats Updated

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, text

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Classy Mendelssohn wins the UAE Derby by 18 Lengths

Image may contain: 6 people, people smiling, people standing and outdoor

Aidan O'Brien confirmed after his Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf success that this year's Kentucky Derby was under consideration and following a comeback success at Dundalk in early March, he took the next step on the road to Churchill Downs in this nine-furlong Group Two.

Ryan Moore appeared keen to get Mendelssohn to the lead from the moment the gates opened and he soon navigated his way to the front.

The result was scarcely in doubt from that point, as one by one his rivals came under pressure while the Irish challenger still galloped on with remorselessly.

The further Mendelssohn went the better he looked on what was his dirt debut and he passed the post a long way clear of Rayya to score in a course-record time.

O'Brien said: "Ryan was happy he had a good draw and if he broke well he was happy to let him travel in front, he gave him a great ride - we couldn't be happier.

"He came forward lovely from his first run and that was good experience for him on that surface first time."

Image may contain: 4 people, people smiling, people standing and text

Image may contain: 5 people, people smiling, people standing

Image may contain: 3 people, people standing and text

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former Ballydoyle resident Steps (Spanish Steps) finished last in the Easter Cup (his Australian Debut) at Caulfield in Australia he was up in 3rd from the start challenged on the bend but weakened late on Jockey was kind on him once beaten another former Ballydoyle resident Homesman was a Non Runner

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Australian G1 Winner MERCHANT NAVY Has arrived at Ballydoyle he is an intended Royal Ascot Runner

Image may contain: one or more people and text

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ever wondered how Sue Magnier names the 2 year olds this is a fascinating insight into how it's done.

Image may contain: 1 person, standing and text

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bomber can break Ballydoyle Turf hoodoo Classy Mendelssohn

Aidan is hopeful that Lancaster Bomber can improve his poor record in the Dubai Turf at Meydan today. His previous 4 runners in the race failed to place a 7th place being his best performance.

Aidan Said "Lancaster Bomber has progressed well from three to four and he was a good fourth in the UAE Derby last year, so knows the environment. He is one of the highest-rated horses in this race and he loves the fast ground he will get at Meydan. He's a very hardy horse and could travel plenty this year."

War Decree, also represents Ballydoyle in the race which was formally named the Dubai Duty Free.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caravaggio to stand in Australia

Brilliant sprinter Caravaggio will join Churchill on the stallion roster at Coolmore Australia for the 2018 season. An exceptional son of world-class sire Scat Daddy, Caravaggio was an unbeaten Gr.1 winner at two and followed that up with a dominant performance in Europe’s premier sprint for three-year-olds, the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup over 1200m at Royal Ascot.

“Caravaggio was a very mature two-year-old that developed into an awesome sprinter,” said Tom Magnier. “He has an excellent pedigree, free from Danehill and all our team see him as the perfect fit for this part of the world. With himself and Churchill joining the roster and American Pharoah returning, we’re giving Australian breeders access to three world-class shuttle stallions. It’s a very exciting time for the farm.”

Described by the Racing Post as ‘a horse of immense speed and class’ Caravaggio is a son of a stakes winning two-year-old daughter of Holy Bull, himself a Gr.1 winning two-year-old. Caravaggio’s sire Scat Daddy has been an extraordinary success, with his leading progeny including Lady Aurelia, Sioux Nation and Mendelssohn, but Caravaggio is regarded as without doubt his most accomplished son.

Caravaggio will stand the 2018 season at Coolmore Australia at a fee of $33,000 (incl. GST).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aidan expects a big run from Idaho & is happy with Mendelssohn draw

Aidan on Idaho - "He went across to America and Canada a few times and it took us a while to get his travelling routine right. His best run was when he finished fifth in the Japan Cup. He is entitled to run well on Saturday, as he's a bit more experienced. He has a nice draw in two and seems to have travelled well, so we're hopeful. It would be massive to have a winner at the meeting, you come and try, you can't expect, you have to hope and we realise it's tough and competitive."

Aidan on Mendelssohn - "Mendelssohn has drawn well (stall 4) and things have gone to plan with him. Ryan was very happy with him in Dundalk. We're not guaranteed for sure that he will get a mile and a quarter, but we're going to find out a lot more in Dubai. It's a step on to dirt for the first time for all three of them, so that will be interesting, and this is a great race in its own right. It would be a great lead-up to the Kentucky Derby if they were good enough to compete and we will learn a lot about them. You'd imagine they could handle dirt with their pedigrees, they seem to be in good form but it's competitive."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aidan Interview about his Meydan horses & Ballydoyle horses working on the track videos

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aidan O’Brien wins Horseracing Excellence Award for Best Trainer

Image may contain: 4 people, people standing

Irish champion flat trainer Aidan O’Brien has been awarded the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Horseracing Excellence Award for Best Trainer ahead of the 2018 Dubai World Cup meeting.

The award recognises the best performances throughout the year from the trainers who competed on Dubai World Cup day 2017.

The winner is based on a tally of statistical data compiled by the U.S. Jockey Club and analysed by a committee consisting of representatives from Nielsen Sports and KPMG. The committee reviewed performances in Group and Graded races from the period running from Dubai World Cup 2017 through Super Saturday, March 10th 2018.

O’Brien’s record-breaking 2017 included 18 Group/Grade 1 wins around the globe. In the process, the Wexford man broke the previous record set by American trainer Bobby Frankel.

The Ballydoyle handler had nine runners on Dubai World Cup night 2017, including Longines Dubai Sheema Classic runner-up Seventh Heaven, the 2016 Darley Irish Oaks winner.

This year Aidan O’Brien brings a 7-strong team to Dubai where his horses will compete in four races – the UAE Derby, Al Quoz Sprint, Dubai Turf and Sheema Classic.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Coolmore Poster - So You Think

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Multiple Group One Winner Churchill will cover mares in Australia

Champion and dual Guineas hero Churchill - Galileo x Meow (Storm Cat), will shuttle to Coolmore Australia in the second half of 2018, the stud announced on Tuesday.

“I travelled to Ireland last week to inspect a number of stallions and I was blown away by Churchill,” said Coolmore Australia Sales and Nominations Manager Colm Santry. “He has an unbelievable combination of size, power, quality and athleticism. He is bred in a similar mould to Frankel (GB), Galileo over a speed mare, and the result is an outstanding animal. I have no doubt that people are going to be very taken with him, particularly when they see him in the flesh.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

80 Ballydoyle horses were working at Naas today including Saxon Warrior & Order of St George

Ryan Moore was over to ride some of the horses today including Gustav Klimt

A Huge thanks to Naas Racecourse for Pictures & Videos

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Camelot Classic Contenders

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Full Moon (Declaration Of War) 2nd in the 5:25 at Naas

Hence (Full Sister to Alice Springs) 2nd in the 2:30 at Naas

Hence looking more like her sister Alice Springs every day - Thanks to Satie for sending us the pic

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Classic Contenders

Image may contain: horse

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ballydoyle entries for the Tattersalls Gold Cup on May 27th - Idaho Hydrangea Capri Cliffs Of Moher Deauville Rhododendron Lancaster Bomber War Decree Yucatan Clear Skies

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ballydoyle Classic Landmarks 1953 to 2018

Image may contain: 2 people, horse and text

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aidan O'Brien Video Interviews - George - Gustav - Capri - Amedeo

The champion trainer explains how important the team at Ballydoyle are to the stable’s continued success

Order Of St George continues to delight Aidan O'Brien

Aidan O'Brien is happy with the progress of his 2,000 Guineas hope Gustav Klimt.

Doncaster St Leger winner Capri.

Amedeo Modigliani is shaping up as a Derby contender according to Aidan O'Brien

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hence & Full Moon look to get season off to a flyer - O'Brien is 5/2 to beat own World record

Image result for aidan o'brien

Just two runners at Naas on Sunday means Aidan O’Brien is adopting a low-key approach to the start of Ireland’s 2018 turf flat season although it could ultimately emerge as another dominant campaign for the world record-breaking trainer.

O’Brien dominates the looming classic picture with an overwhelmingly powerful team of three year old prospects including the 2,000 Guineas and Derby favourite Saxon Warrior.

Only the outstanding dual-Oaks heroine Enable prevented a Ballydoyle clean sweep of the British and Irish classics in 2017 and O’Brien is just 8-1 with one firm to win all five classic races in Ireland in 2018.

He is also just 5-2 to surpass 2017’s world record haul of 28 Group/Grade One victories while a 20th Irish trainer’s title in a row – and a seventh in Britain – are widely presumed to be near-inevitable.

However a possible first ever European victory in the Kentucky Derby in May would be new ground for the legendary trainer and Mendelssohn is set to go on trial for US racing’s most famous race in Dubai next weekend.

A UAE Derby clash with Gold Town presents the prospect of a classic Godolphin v Coolmore clash in the desert. Idaho (Sheema Classic) and Lancaster Bomber (Dubai Turf) could also make the journey to the Middle East where conditions will be very different to what’s in prospect at Naas.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Coolmore Poster - So You Think

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ballydoyle entries for the Tattersalls Gold Cup on May 27th - Idaho Hydrangea Capri Cliffs Of Moher Deauville Rhododendron Lancaster Bomber War Decree Yucatan Clear Skies

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ballydoyle Classic Landmarks 1953 to 2018

Image may contain: 2 people, horse and text

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Potential Hong Kong runners

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Naas considered for the return for Rhododendron

22nd March

The Prix de l'Opera winner Rhododendron, holds an entry in the Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes at Naas on Sunday.

Aidan Said "They are predicting 20 millimetres of rain between now and Sunday at Naas and if that comes, it'll make it tough going.

"We were thinking of starting Rhododendron there and then maybe going to France for the Prix Ganay.

"If that went well then she could come back and have a look at Newbury (Lockinge).

"She doesn't have to run Sunday. She could have a racecourse gallop and then go to the Ganay."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aidan Aims for Kentucky Derby glory with Mendelssohn

22nd March

After a record-breaking season last year, Aidan O'Brien is looking to break new ground again in 2018 by winning the Kentucky Derby.

Mendelssohn is the chosen one after his win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, but he will face a different surface in the 'Run for the Roses', which has yet to go the way of a European-based trainer.

With that in mind Mendelssohn had a run on the Polytrack at Dundalk recently and is part of a small team O'Brien is taking to Dubai, which to date has not been his happiest hunting ground.

Seahenge and Threeandfourpence will join him in the UAE Derby, with Idaho, Lancaster Bomber and Deauville other possibles for World Cup night.

"It's a very competitive place and the first big festival of the year. We've gone there before and horses have run disappointingly, like Highland Reel, and you're only kidding yourself it you think you're going to go out there and it's going to be easy touches," said O'Brien.

"We do the best we can to get them there and we think the Dubai trial is the perfect race on the way to Kentucky. It's a very strong race itself."

The Kentucky Derby is viewed by O'Brien as one of the last unbroken frontiers given the European record in the race and all runners he has sent so far have come up well short, although Master Of Hounds was far from disgraced when fifth in 2011.

"It would mean a lot to win it. With those type of races you don't expect to ever win them, but you try to win them," he said.

"They are so competitive. You are going over to the other side of the world and getting pitched into a different culture of racing totally. It's a different surface and different everything.

"It's brilliant that we've had the trial for it this year in Ireland. Those kind of things make everything possible for us here in Ireland, being able to get started on the way.

"You do your best and when you fail you try to learn what you could go better the next time. You'd be naive to think that you're going to go there and win, but we'll do our best to win and want to win.

"So many things have to fall right for a horse to win any of those big races and I'm amazed when it does happen because so many ducks have to come in a row for it to happen."

Of Mendelssohn, O'Brien added: "We're not guaranteed for sure that he will get a mile and a quarter, but we're going to find out a lot more in Dubai. Ryan (Moore) was very happy with him in Dundalk. He travelled well and went there, but he doesn't do a lot when he gets to the front.

"He's a brother to Beholder. Scat Daddy is obviously an influence for speed, but American racing is very different and the most important thing of all is speed. You just hope for stamina after that, but if you don't have pace it's a waste of time.

"We think he has enough pace, but whether he has enough stamina or not we'll learn. Hopefully we have him trained and conditioned properly to be able to compete.

"He's after having his run now and that should leave him nice for Dubai and he should come forward again after that.

"We should have two runs before. We went there with horses before that have run respectably, like Master Of Hounds and Johannesburg, but this time the horses are going to have two runs."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ballydoyle boast strong Classic Teams

21/03/2018

Aidan O'Brien opened up his famous Ballydoyle stable to the press on Wednesday to help launch the new Irish Flat season which gets under way at Naas on Sunday.

Having set a new world record for the number of Group One wins in a year with his 28 in 2017, he has a hard act to follow but, as usual, his string is packed to the rafters full of potential Classic contenders, headed by 2000 Guineas and Derby favourite Saxon Warrior, the winner of the Racing Post Trophy.

Here, O'Brien talks about some of his exciting crop of three-year-old colts.

Saxon Warrior

"He's done very well and is a massive, big, physical horse. He was a big horse last year but he's bigger this year.

"We have our eye on the Guineas and we're just hoping that we have him ready in time for it.

"He could well get a mile and a half as he has a relaxed way of doing it, so it will be very interesting with him.

"He'll probably go straight for the Guineas. He could go for a run but I'd imagine he'll probably go for a racecourse gallop instead.

"The only race that really suits us before the Guineas is Leopardstown. The Craven is too close to travel over and the Greenham is the same as we wouldn't like to travel them that close.

"Often for their first run they take a little bit of time to recover from it."

Amedeo Modigliani

"He's very well. He's in the 'could be anything' category.

"He's a Galileo, he travels like a miler and he goes through his work very easy. We purposely are probably not going to go to the Guineas with him.

"He's a little bit natural and a little bit like St Nicholas Abbey. We trained St Nicholas Abbey for the Guineas, who was a very generous horse and wanted to do it, and it just wasn't the right thing long-term for him.

"He missed his three-year-old career after it so we're going to go very gentle with this fellow.

"I think we're going to go to the Derby trials, and still won't be sure whether he'll get a mile and a quarter, but we'll go that way and feel our way and if he doesn't, we'll come back in trip.

"He'll be an interesting horse."

Sioux Nation

"He worked yesterday morning and we were kind of debating whether to go to Leopardstown for the (Guineas) trial with him, but obviously they all can't go.

"Donnacha (O'Brien) rode him work and he was of the opinion that he was a fast horse.

"He could be a five- or six-furlong horse and we'd keep him on good ground. He's a big, powerful horse."

St Patrick's Day

"He's a brother to American Pharoah and he just came to us about a month ago.

"We think and hope that he'll be a Royal Ascot horse and he'll have a run or two before. It could be the Jersey or the St James's Palace, that's what we are thinking.

"I'm dreaming at the moment what he could be. He only had two runs in America, placed the first time and won the second."

The Pentagon

"We're very happy with him. We didn't think that he would run as well in the Racing Post Trophy as he did (finished third).

"He was off for three weeks and missed a lot of time. We were really wanting to get a run into him as we wanted to see was he as good as he showed at the Curragh when Ana (O'Brien) rode him, and obviously he was.

"He'll go for a Derby trial, even though we left him in the Guineas. I think that's the way he'll be going."

U S Navy Flag

"He'll go to the Guineas. Whether he'll go to Leopardstown or not before we'll have to see as he was a horse that took a bit of racing last year.

"The reason we went to America at the end was to see if he would get a mile but it was a little bit of a non-event because obviously it was on the dirt and they went very hard and the first two got burned off.

"With his work this year you'd say that there is a good chance that he could get a mile. That's why we might go to Leopardstown with a view to thinking about going to Newmarket afterwards. It would give us a little bit of a feeler with him."

Gustav Klimt

"We're thinking the Guineas with Gustav Klimt and he could go to Leopardstown on the way there for the trial.

"Because he missed the second half of last year, and he's a little bit round still, he might take a run in Leopardstown.

"He was a little bit wrong behind last year and we think it was a muscle behind."

O'Brien also nominated Flag Of Honour , Nelson , Gardens Of Babylon , James Cook , Kenya and Rostropovich as colts who could take in a Derby trial to test their mettle.

Aidan O'Brien dominated the juvenile distaff division last year and looks to have a tight grip on the fillies' Classics in 2018.

The Ballydoyle handler supplied the first three home in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, with Happily leading stablemates Magical and September, while Clemmie completed a hat-trick in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket.

Clemmie, Happily and September are the first three in the betting for the Qipco 1000 Guineas and the latter pair are the top two in the market for the Investec Oaks.

Here, O'Brien tells us about his hopes for his exciting crop.

Clemmie

"She's had a stone bruise the last few days but she's good and she'll probably go straight to the Guineas.

"She has wintered well and we're very happy with her.

"Obviously she's not as big physically as Churchill (full-brother) was, but everything is right with her.

"She's fast and I wouldn't be sure how much further than a mile she'd stay. Obviously she's a Group One winner over six furlongs."

September

"We'll probably train September for the Guineas, but with the view that she could get the Oaks trip.

"She's wintered well. She's put on enough weight and physically she's changed.

"She's not very big and never was, but she has a very big attitude. She believes that she's big in her own head. She has a big personality.

"She's out of a big powerful mare, Peeping Fawn (dam) was a big, strong mare.

"She ran a massive race in the Fillies' Mile last year (finished second) and ran a massive race in America as well (third at Breeders' Cup).

"You'd imagine she should stay. Deep Impact (sire) won over a mile and seven (furlongs) and Peeping Fawn won over a mile and a half."

Happily

"Happily has wintered very well. We were very happy with her all the way along last season.

"You could say her run at the Breeders' Cup wasn't good, but she missed the break and got stopped three times down the straight. Ryan (Moore) just minded her then.

"You'd imagine she'll definitely get a mile and a quarter and could get a mile and a half because she has a very laid back way of doing it.

"She has very strong form."

Others

" Actress might go to the fillies' (Guineas) trial in Leopardstown and Dramatically the same.

" I Can Fly is a very nice filly and she could be a Guineas filly as well. She's a filly that finished third in a Group race at Newmarket (Oh So Sharp Stakes) towards the backend.

"She might go to Leopardstown with a view to going to the Guineas."

Many Thanks to https://www.irishracing.com & Gary Carson

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ROCK ME AMEDEO

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ballydoyle World Cup Night intended runners next Saturday at Meydan Dubai

Mendelssohn, Threeandfourpence, Seahenge - UAE DERBY

Deauville, Lancaster Bomber - DUBAI TURF

Idaho - SHEEMA CLASSIC

Washington DC - AL QUONZ SPRINT

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Opening day Ballydoyle Entries at Naas Racecourse on Sunday Rhododendron could be on duty

Image may contain: 1 person, text

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Early season Big race Entries for Ballydoyle

No automatic alt text available.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses Updated

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, text

A.P.O'Brien Career Stats Updated Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, text A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated 2018 started

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

G1 Winner Merchant Navy to Join Ballydoyle & Target Royal Ascot

Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes winning colt Merchant Navy (3c Fastnet Rock – Legally Bay) will join Aidan O’Brien’s string at Coolmore’s training operation Ballydoyle in Ireland in preparation for a tilt at Royal Ascot.

An unbeaten stakes winning two-year-old, Merchant Navy was an eye-catching third in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap over 1200m at Flemington on Saturday, with his closing 600m split of 32.09 seconds the fastest clocked by any horse on the card.

“I am very excited by Merchant Navy,” said O’Brien. “I was very interested to see his run on Saturday and I thought he was unlucky not to win. I love that he can produce a long, sustained burst of speed and the Gr.1 Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot looks the perfect race for him”.

Trainer Ciaron Maher, who sourced Merchant Navy at the 2016 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, said; “Merchant Navy was an outstanding yearling and I have rated him as something special ever since the day he first cantered. He is a brilliant colt with an incredible constitution and I look forward to him showcasing his talent at Royal Ascot. Aidan has invited me to visit Ballydoyle to discuss the horse in the coming days and I am very much looking forward to that. I have no doubt that he is a horse capable of excelling on the world stage.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

22 Former Ballydoyle Residents with Team Williams in Australia now

No automatic alt text available.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image may contain: one or more people, horse and text

DUBAI WORLD CUP NIGHT BALLYDOYLE

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

T H A N K Y O U

Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, text

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A.P.O.B delighted with 2018 Classic Contenders

Image result for Saxon warrior doncaster

March 10th

Aidan O'Brien has issued an upbeat bulletin on his Classic contenders as he begins to map out his plans for 2018.

Racing Post Trophy victor Saxon Warrior currently tops the ante-post market for the Qipco 2000 Guineas and O'Brien would not be worried if the Deep Impact colt were to make his first start of the year at Newmarket on May 5.

He said: "They all seem to be fine and have physically done well. We're happy with them so far. They haven't done an awful lot yet, but we're happy with what they've done.

"Saxon Warrior is a big, powerful horse. He could start in the Guineas if he wanted. He doesn't have to have a prep run, but we have a good prep in Leopardstown this year as it's back to seven furlongs, the same as the fillies' race. That's a good race if any of the horses need a start."

O'Brien also has 2000 Guineas second favourite Gustav Klimt, winner of two of his three juvenile starts last term, but off the track since landing the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last July.

He added: "Gustav Klimt is good and he's in full work. He's a horse that wouldn't mind a prep if that's the way it goes. When it was getting serious last year, he was off and he was a little bit green in Newmarket the day he won. He's in good shape and we're happy with him.

"They are all going gentle away at the moment."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mendelssohn Leads home Ballydoyle 1 2 3 in Patton Stakes

Pictures Courtesy of Satie @polkamazurka

Mendelssohn led home a 1, 2, 3 for Aidan O'Brien in the feature at Dundalk this evening, the Listed 32Red Patton Stakes.

Ryan Moore made the journey across the Irish Sea for the ride on the successful son of Scat Daddy, who was last seen winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November.

Having opened at 4/5 on-course, the bay victor touched 11/10, before going off the even money favourite.

Settled in second in the early stages, he was third on the inner as they entered the home straight. He was soon pushed along and got to the front at the furlong pole, keeping on well from there to see off Threeandfourpence by three parts of a length.

The runner-up, who attempted to make all, was well-backed on-course, opening at 9/2 before going off a 5/2 chance under Seamie Heffernan.

The front two were three and three parts of a length clear of Seahenge (7/2) who finished third under Donnacha O'Brien.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "You'd be delighted with that. It was nice to get him started and he did everything right, he travelled and quickened well.

"He was a little bit rusty obviously on his first run in a long time but Ryan was very happy with him.

"You'd be very happy with him. Physically he's done very well and mentally he is good, he's very relaxed which is good.

"The plan was to come here then go to Dubai and then hopefully the Kentucky Derby.

"We always felt that we would need a couple of runs in this part of the world before we go.

"If everything is well hopefully we'll go on to Dubai with him.

"Hopefully then we can look at Kentucky but obviously we have to run a big race in Dubai and go on from there but that's what we'd be hoping to do.

"There is plenty of dirt in his pedigree and as we saw he's a good traveller and very good physically.

"Seamus' horse was a little babyish in front, as he's not used to being there, and Donnacha's horse was a little bit slow away but they are all things we can work on.

"The plan with the three colts that ran tonight is to go to Dubai and then hopefully we go on from there."

On what kind of horse you need for Kentucky Derby O'Brien added: "You need a very good horse, a very seasoned hardened horse. He has to be tactically quick, he has to travel strong and has to be tough at the end. You just need a very good horse really."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

26 LEFT IN THE DERBY FOR BALLYDOYLE

If Adan wins the Epsom derby in 2018 he would join Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling as the most successful trainer in the Classic, with 7 victories. The race was first run in 1780.

Image may contain: text

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ballydoyle Meydan hopefuls work at Dundalk

Dubai-bound Lancaster Bomber and Idaho were among a team of 10 horses Aidan O'Brien put through their paces before racing at Dundalk on Friday evening.

Ryan Moore rode Lancaster Bomber and Donnacha O'Brien was aboard Idaho as they worked over 10 furlongs as part of their preparation for the Dubai Turf and Dubai Sheema Classic respectively at Meydan on March 31.

War Decree and Deauville were also among those who exercised over a mile and a quarter, while sprinters Declaration Of Peace, Washington DC, Fleet Review and Intelligence Cross covered five furlongs.

"Idaho is in to go to Dubai in the mile-and-a-half (Sheema Classic) and Lancaster Bomber for the mile-and-a-furlong (Dubai Turf)," said O'Brien.

"Obviously Idaho and Lancaster Bomber haven't run so this is to get an away day into them before they go away.

"The sprinters aren't in Dubai, if they got invited obviously they'd go but at the moment they aren't in. It's competitive over there and it's hard to get in.

"War Decree worked very well, but at the moment he's not in. If he was to run he'd probably run in the mile-and-a-furlong race. Deauville went well also, but he isn't invited at the moment."

O'Brien revealed he brought up the stable's own American-style stalls as part of the experience.

"If they go abroad they will be the stalls they are jumping and racing from. It's good experience for them," said the Ballydoyle handler.

"This is a great facility and it's great to have it. It's a lovely surface.

"That should bring them on a good bit and we're happy with what they've done."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Coolmore Poster - Excelebration

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mendelssohn set to bid for Derby spot at Dundalk on Friday

The son of Scat Daddy aims to bolster his qualifying position for the 2018 Kentucky Derby

Paul Rhodes for AOBFS Wednesday March 7th

It's likely Mendelssohn will line up in the rearranged 32Red Listed Patton Stakes at Dundalk on Friday.

The Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf victor is an intended runner in the 2018 Kentucky Derby in May at Churchill downs but needs to gain points to qualify which could also see him take in the UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup Night at Meydan on March 31st.

Mendelssohn could be joined by Group 2 winner Seahenge, Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes fourth Threeandfourpence, along with the maiden Spanish Point, a son of Frankel, and debutant Cliffs Of Dooneen for the mile contest.

The 32Red Patton Stakes is the penultimate leg of the ‘European Road to the Kentucky Derby’ points-based initiative that covers selected races in Ireland, Britain and France and will lead to the horse accumulating most points gaining entry to the famous Kentucky Derby, the first leg of American racing’s ‘Triple Crown’.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Coolmore Poster - Air Force Blue

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update on the nieces & nephews of St Nic - His full sis Cascata has produced some decent horses which i find very uplifting & heart warming. Just learned she was covered by Frankel last year.

Image may contain: one or more people, people riding on horses, horse and text