Aidan O'Brien wins the last on Irish Guineas weekend at @curraghrace as Lucius Tiberius lands the finale in good style:
Athena a Maiden no more
©Healy Racing Photos
Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien and his 2,000 Guineas winning jockey son Donnacha O'Brien completed odds-on doubles at Fairyhouse today as Athena landed the concluding Fairyhouse Special Offers (Fillies) Maiden.
The pair had earlier won the second race with comfortable winner and 1/7 favourite Battle Of Jericho and 2/5 chance Athena won in similar enough style, despite having her winning margin greatly reduced close home by fast finishing half-length runner-up Tissiak.
Donnacha O'Brien later said “she was entitled to do that on her last run and I kept it simple, got a lead on her, and she quickened up nicely.
“It's nice to get a win into her and hopefully she can progress from here.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
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No Battle for Jericho in Toals Bookmaker race at Fairyhouse
©Healy Racing Photos
The Aidan O'Brien trained Battle Of Jericho readily justified 1/7 favouritism to win the Toals.com Bookmakers Race on his seasonal reappearance run at Fairyhouse today.
Ridden by the Champion Trainer's son Donnacha O'Brien, the son of War Front, having his first start since October, improved to lead over a furlong out and in the end stayed on strongly for a two and three parts of a length win over Verhoyen.
Classic winning jockey O'Brien later said “he was entitled to do that off his rating (100) and it was straight-forward enough, he got a grand lead into it and quickened up well.
“He's been off for a while and he'll improve for that.”
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Aidan's Comments on Epsom Oaks Fillies
31 May
Magic Wand
She is in good form and we’ve been happy with her since Chester. She’s progressed with all her runs so far this year. I’m not sure about the ground. She ran in bad ground the first day and ran well, but she progressed a lot to her second run.I don’t think the soft ground is ideal for any of ours, really, but I suppose a lot of horses are in the same boat.”
Forever Together
“She’s in good form and ran very well at Chester, too. She has come forward as well, we think. Obviously the ground we’re not sure about but we’re happy with her.”
Bye Bye Baby
“Bye Bye Baby has form with ease in the ground. She stays and is a tough, hardy filly. She seems to have handled the soft ground in the past and is in good form since the Curragh".
Flattering
"Flattering has form on soft ground as well, and we’ve always thought she would stay a mile and a half. She’s been in good form since Lingfield".
I Can Fly
She is in in good form. She was disappointing in the Guineas and we’re not sure the reason why. She’s out of a Montjeu mare so we think, and hope, that she might get the trip. She will be ridden patiently. We’re happy with her and her work has been very nice since Newmarket.”
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And then there were 5 - Rostropovich & Nelson missing from final Ballydoyle Derby Squad
Warrior remains on course for Triple Crown bid
31 May
Aidan O'Brien's Rostropovich and Nelson were the two absentees from a final field of 12 for the Investec Derby at Epsom.
The master of Ballydoyle still has five runners as he chases a record-equalling seventh win in the blue riband, headed by Saxon Warrior. The QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner sparked dreams of a Triple Crown bid at Newmarket and has been odds-on favourite to win the second leg ever since.
However, connectons have voiced concerns about the recent rain at Epsom for the son of Deep Impact. O'Brien has also declared Delano Roosevelt, Kew Gardens, The Pentagon and Zabriskie.
5 Balydoyle Epsom Derby Runners Field of 12 (Riders To Follow)
Saxon Warrior - Drawn 1 - Ryan
Delano Roosevelt - Drawn 4 - Heff
The Pentagon - Drawn 11 - Wayne
Kew Gardens - Drawn 12 - Don
Zabriskie - Drawn 8 - Padraig
Rostropovich will run in the French Derby (Prix Du Jockey Club) At Chantilly on Sunday he will be joined by 3 stablemates Hunting Horn Kenya & Flag Of Honour
4 Ballydoyle Prix Du Jockey Club Runners on Sunday at Chantilly
Kenya - Drawn 2 - Padriag
Rostropovich - Drawn 3 - Ryan
Hunting Horn - Drawn 14 - Heff
Flag Of Honour - Drawn 16 - Wayne
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Yucatan & Idaho Versus the machine in Coronation
30th May
Cracksman tops the bill in the six-runner Investec Coronation Cup on Friday Aidan O’Brien’s big hope is Idaho, a very impressive winner of the Ormonde Stakes at Chester, having run in several Group Ones all over the world since claiming the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last season.
Yucatan also runs for O’Brien who said: "It was always the plan for Idaho to come here after Chester. He won nicely at Chester and has been in good form since, so he goes there in good form. Yucatan has been progressing nicely from race to race and is likely to join him."
Ballydoyle Runners & Riders Coronation Cup G1 6 Run
Yucatan - Don
Idaho - Ryan
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Ballydoyle quintet head to the Oaks but no Magical
30th May
Magical was the most notable absentee from the list of nine declarations for the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly suffered a setback on Tuesday and a decision whether or not to run was left until the last minute.
She was found to have a bit of filling on the inside of a joint and it does not appear to have cleared up in time.
Magical, winner of the Group Two Debutante Stakes as a two-year-old, had been second favourite in the ante-post betting behind the Charlie Appleby-trained Wild Illusion.
However, O’Brien still has five runners as he seeks to win the Oaks for a seventh time.
His team is headed by Magic Wand and Forever Together, who were first and second respectively in the Cheshire Oaks at Chester.
Bye Bye Baby, Flattering and I Can Fly complete the Ballydoyle force.
Balydoyle Epsom Oaks Runners & Riders
Magic Wand - Ryan
Forever Together - Don
Bye Bye Baby - Wayne
Flattering - Padraig
I Can Fly - Heff
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Our 7th Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 16 Ballydoyle Residents in the ratings including Europe's top rated 2YO & 3YO
Huge thanks to Timeform - website
> https://www.timeform.com -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leading Sires GB & IRE Tables Updated - Galileo has established a big lead with Mastercraftsman joins the top 10 - No Nay Never continues his unbelievable start- Camelot & Dec of War going strong - Excelebration remains in top 10
British Flat Trainers Championship Updated
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Magical a doubt for the Epsom Oaks after scare
28th of May
Magical who was tipped to be Ryan Moore's ride in the Epsom Oaks has had an injury scare which could yet rule her out of the classic.
Aidan said "Magical has a little bit of filling in a joint. We scanned her after finding that, and the scans all came back perfect, so she probably just got a tip on the inside of the joint while cantering,
It is obviously not ideal for it to happen so close to the race but the scans have came back perfect so, fingers crossed, she will be okay to take her chance.
We will see how she is in the morning and then decide whether she will run or not. At this stage I couldn't tell you what Ryan will ride. We will have to see how Magical is in the morning and take it from there. Hopefully she will be fine."
Athena is expected to be kept for the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, while Sizzling will not run in the Oaks.
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Niarchos family hopeful of big run from Zabriskie in the Derby
28th of May
The Niarchos family will bid for their second Classic success in the space of a week when Zabriskie goes for glory in Saturday’s Investec Derby.
The Jessica Harrington-trained Alpha Centauri carried the famous colours to victory in Sunday’s Irish 1,000 Guineas and Zabriskie, one of seven potential runners for Aidan O’Brien in the premier Classic, has been confirmed an intended runner at Epsom.
The son of Frankel has won just one of his five starts to date, but posted a career-best effort when third in the Dante Stakes at York behind Roaring Lion earlier this month.
Alan Cooper, racing manager for the owners, said: “Aidan says he is an improving horse and Zabriskie gave me the impression at York that he would stay a mile and a half.
“His half-brother Bago (by 1989 Derby winner Nashwan) won the Arc over a mile and a half so there is stamina in the pedigree.
“Zabriskie handled the track at Epsom very well when he ran in the Investec Blue Riband Trial in April (finished sixth).
“The Derby has been the hope for a long time. Aidan has not yet finalised the jockeys for his Derby runners.”
The O’Brien squad is headed by red-hot favourite Saxon Warrior.
The Deep Impact colt is odds-on across the board after extending his unbeaten record to four in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
The Ballydoyle handler has also confirmed Delano Roosevelt, Kew Gardens, The Pentagon, Nelson and Rostropovich as he chases a joint-record seventh Derby success.
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Ballydoyle 5 Remain in French Derby Picture
Rostropovich could be Aidan's main hope in the Prix Du Jockey Club
May 28th
Aidan O'Brien has five remaining entries in the Prix Du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday.
Seahenge, Flag Of Honour, Hunting Horn, Kenya and Rostropovich all remain in at Monday’s first forfeit stage.
Aidan has never won the Prix Du Jockey Club
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Saxon Warrior heads the Derby field
May 28th
Saxon Warrior is the star name among 14 confirmations for the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday.
The son of Deep Impact is odds-on across the board for the premier Classic after extending his unbeaten record to four in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien has seven remaining entries in all as he chases a joint-record seventh Derby success. The other Ballydoyle hopefuls are Delano Roosevelt, Kew Gardens, The Pentagon, Nelson, Rostropovich and Zabriskie.
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Camelot colt Lucious Tiberious off the mark at The Curragh
Aidan O'Brien recorded his sixth winner of Guineas weekend at the Curragh, as Lucius Tiberius justified 6/5 favouritism in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Earlier on the mark with Lancaster Bomber, O'Brien was completing a double on the day with this son of Camelot, who filled the runner-up berth on his return to action at Navan just over a fortnight ago.
Settled behind the leaders by Donnacha O'Brien, the bay victor came with his challenge on the outer with over two furlongs left to race.
He was ridden to the front over a furlong out, and kept on well from there to score by a length and a quarter.
Escapability (11/2 to 4s) finished second under Colm O'Donoghue for Jessica Harrington, while newcomer Dawn Trouper (6/1) was another half a length back in third for Kevin Manning and Jim Bolger.
"He's a nice staying type of horse and he'll stay further," said O'Brien.
"He's a good honest horse. We'll see what kind of mark he gets and he could step into a handicap at Ascot, maybe the mile and a half handicap for three-year-olds."
On his Guineas runners, O'Brien added: "We're delighted with the runs.
"Could It Be Love ran very well and we thought she would. She's a filly that could go back to the Jersey or something like that as she has plenty of pace. She's a big strong traveller.
"Happily ran a very good race and the plan with her was always to step up. She might go to the French Oaks next. It was always going to be a step up in trip after this.
"Clemmie will go to the Coronation, that was always the plan. We thought she was just about ready to come away today. She'll be grand and she'll make great progress."
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Tough! The admirable Lancaster Bomber virtually makes all to take the Group 1 @Tattersalls1766 Gold Cup at @curraghrace:
Lancaster Bomber got a deserved big race win to his name, as he made all in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup.
Successful in a maiden at Leopardstown in 2016, the son of War Front was placed six times at the highest level since, and was third in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury just last weekend.
Available at 10/1 in a place in early shows, the bay colt opened on-course at just 9/2 before going off a well-supported 10/3 chance under Seamie Heffernan.
Having raced in a clear lead, his advantage was reduced from the two furlong pole.
He appeared a sitting duck from a furlong out, as the market leaders closed-in, however he responded well to pressure inside the final furlong, pulling out more to score by two lengths.
The easy to back Cliffs Of Moher (4/5 in early shows, returned 7/4) was second under Ryan Moore, while the 5/4 favourite Defoe was another length and a half back in third.
"He's been running at the top level the whole time, all in Group 1's, and obviously we didn't think he'd get a mile-and-a-quarter," said O'Brien.
"That's the first time we did it with him and let him roll on beautiful ground. He was there for everyone to follow and Seamus gave him a great ride, he went even to halfway and he kept going.
"He was happy to get a lead but he was going to go level and we were happy to make the running also. He got left there so he Seamus did the right thing.
"The plan was to come here and then go back to Ascot for the mile race again. I'd imagine that's where he'd go but he'd have an option of the Prince Of Wales now.
"We thought that the Curragh is a tough place to get a mile-and-a-quarter but he didn't flinch and he kept going.
"It was a great run from Cliffs Of Moher and we were delighted with him. He relaxed well and came there but just couldn't get past the other horse. We were very happy with his run, it was a very solid run.
"They found themselves and little bit back off of him (Lancaster Bomber) but he just kept going in front and didn't surrender.
"His form is very solid and his last run in the Lockinge was a very good run.
"We were thinking of coming here and going to the Prince Of Wales with Cliffs Of Moher so we'll see now and obviously Idaho goes next week to the Coronation.
"Some of those horses are still progressing and I'd say he progressed again. He's rated 116. It's a high rating and he's still not finished with maybe."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
Pictures from Breandán Ó hUallacháin
Pictures from Satie
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8th time lucky for Hence
Hence gave Aidan O'Brien a four-timer at the Curragh that paid just over 1,133/1.
The 13/2 shot raced in rear of the valuable fillies' handicap over a mile before moving closer with a quarter of a mile to travel.
She progressed to third approaching the furlong marker and swept past Dianthus with 150 yards left.
The Galileo filly kept on best to seal the spoils by half a length from Dianthus (7/1). Terzetto finished well for third at 9/2, half a length in front of 5/2 favourite Wisdom Mind.
"It was great that she won and Ryan gave her a lovely ride,” Aidan O'Brien said.
“We came here thinking would she have a chance of running in the Sandringham at Ascot. We weren't sure if she'd get a mile.
“She might get it in Ascot. They didn't go mad there and the Sandringham would be a tougher mile but she has a chance and we might look at something like that.”
O'Brien's other winners on the card were Just Wonderful (9/2), Fairyland (4/1) and Merchant Navy (9/2).
Moore partnered three of them - Hence, Just Wonderful and Merchant Navy with Seamie Heffernan on board Fairyland.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
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A Group 1 winner in Australia - Merchant Navy picks up strongly to win the Group 2 @weatherbysltd Ireland Greenlands Stakes on his first start for Aidan O'Brien:
Crack Australian sprinter Merchant Navy thundered home on his Irish debut in the Grade Two Greenlands Stakes to give Aidan O'Brien a treble at the Curragh.
All roads lead to Royal Ascot for the three-year-old colt now before he returns to Australia to fulfil stallion obligations.
The son of Fastnet Rock picked up really well in the final furlong to tackle Spirit Of Valor and win by a length at an easy-to-back 9/2.
Runner-up Spirit Of Valor was 7/1 with Tasleet, the 2/1 joint favourite, in third.
Aidan O'Brien said: "You'd be delighted with him obviously. We felt he was just ready to come and the whole reason for running him was to see before we went to Ascot.
“We felt that he was at a racecourse gallop stage. The lads in Australia said he was a very good horse so we just took it totally on trust. He did five little canters, that's all he did.
“Ryan was very happy with him. The plan is to go to Ascot for the six furlong race and I think he has to go after that.
“I think he's only here for Ascot and then gone after that, whatever commitments he has.
“I thought there would be a lot of improvement in him. I was just hoping for a nice run today, that's all, so it's all a plus.
“He wasn't stopping today but he's obviously not short of speed either. He made a good bit of ground up from halfway and Ryan was riding him that way because we were afraid he would get tired.”
Ryan Moore added: "He's a very good horse to carry a penalty and to get off a plane and come from the other side of the world.
"He gave me a real good feel and travelled very comfortably. It was a bit of a messy race, we were split all over the place and wanted to take my time a little bit but it was hard to.
"He did it very well because he travelled and cruised and quickened. Great attitude."
O'Brien also scored on this card with Just Wonderful (9/2) and Fairyland (4/1).
Merchant Navy was Moore's second winner today having been on board Just Wonderful.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
From Satie
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Fairyland remains unbeaten as she leads home Ballydoyle
1,2,3 in Marble Hill
Fairyland follows up her debut success with a taking victory in the Listed Marble Hill Stakes at @curraghrace. She was a 925,000gns buy by MV Magnier from @HoStud.
Commanding stuff - the expensive filly Fairyland wins the Listed Marble Hill Stakes for Aidan O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan! @curraghrace
Aidan O'Brien's filly Fairyland put in a very taking performance to lead home the colts in the Listed Marble Hill Stakes over six furlongs at the Curragh.
She gave O'Brien a one-two-three as 4/6 favourite Van Beethoven took second spot ahead of Land Force at 8/1.
The daughter of Kodiac brought up a double for O'Brien as his just Wonderful prevailed on debut in the opener.
She raced in third under Seamie Heffernan before taking closer order approaching halfway.
The 4/1 chance soon tanked into the lead from land Force and Recon Mission and kept on strongly in the final furlong to take the honours by two and a quarter lengths.
Van Beethoven did his best work in the latter stages to get up for second by a neck.
“She looks very nice. She won very nicely in Naas and Ryan loved her when he rode her. Wayne (Lordan) rides her at home all the time and he's always loved her,” Aidan O'Brien said.
“She's relaxed. First time was five and we stepped her up to six today to have a little bit of a feel and give her a little bit of experience.
“She was very comfortable at it, looking at her, and Seamus was really happy with her.
“She travelled well and Seamus said she's a very kind, very unassuming type of filly, and she cruised the whole way. He felt she would even stay further.
“She has a great pedigree and Mrs Stockwell always loved her, she loved her at the sales. She's an exciting filly.
“Mrs Stockwell loved her physique, loved her mind and how big and powerful she was. It's great to have her racing today.
"She's a filly for either the Queen Mary or the Albany, we have a choice now. She was very comfortable at five in Naas and got six very well today.”
Seamie Heffernan added: "She is extremely straightforward, she is quick from the gates and sat upsides. A furlong down she did it well. She's a complete lady, a nice filly.
"I'd say after that performance that's where the owner will want to go (Royal Ascot). She'll be joining the rest of the decent ones."
Fairyland won her maiden at Naas earlier in the month.
Paddy Power quote Fairyland as 5/2 favourite for the Albany.
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Just a Wonderful debut for Just Wonderful
It's a winning debut from Just Wonderful as the sister of Bracelet does the job in nice fashion to take the opener at @curraghrace for @Ballydoyle:
Just Wonderful made a winning debut for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore in the juvenile fillies' maiden at the Curragh.
The daughter of Dansili was easy to back in morning trading and at the track as she drifted from 7/2 to 9/2.
The 14 runners for this six-furlong contest split into two groups withJust Wonderful racing behind the pace on the far side.
She was shaken up to improve passing the two pole and hit the front with a furlong and a half to go.
She soon put daylight between her rivals on the far side and herself, however, Lethal Promise began to motor at the head of affairs on the near side.<Just Wonderful was pushed out to score by a neck from Lethal Promise (11/2), though. O'Brien's Gossamer Wings (6/1 from 10s in the morning) was a length and a quarter back in third.
Aidan O'Brien said: “I'm delighted with her. Ours have to be good to win first time.
“We never really looked at her until last week. We dropped her down the other morning, in her piece of work, and she took off.
“She worked like a very exceptional filly but she was just ready to come here.
“Obviously we've been seeing that ours have been very green first time and making a lot of improvement from their first to their second runs. She's obviously natural to do that.
“You can never be sure first time what way they are going to be but Ryan was very happy with her.
“We'll probably look at Ascot with her. She'll probably have to go there off the one run, if she goes, and the race you'd be thinking about is the Albany.
“Ryan won on the dam (Wading) in Newmarket and he still remembers her very well. She's a very well-bred filly.”
Sparkle'n'joy was well punted from 7/1 to 4/1 favourite but finished fifth.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
From David Betts
From Satie
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3rd Saval Beg in a row for Gold Cup bound George
©Healy Racing Photos
All roads to @Ascot - Order Of St George wins his third straight Listed Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes! @LeopardstownRC
Order Of St George did what was asked of him in winning the Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes for the third year in succession at Leopardstown on Friday evening.
Sent off the 1-10 favourite against four rivals, the 2016 Gold Cup hero travelled nicely behind Renneti in the hands of Ryan Moore, before leading the field into the straight.
Twilight Payment followed him through and proved a willing opponent, refusing to go away, although Moore never had to get serious as Aidan O’Brien’s star came home three-quarters of a length to the good, having beaten the same horse 12 months ago.
Moore said afterwards: "I was very happy with him. He’s a beautiful horse, and I couldn’t have been happier with what he did there. We can look forward to Ascot now.
"This fellow has been there and done it (Ascot Gold Cup) and I wouldn’t swop him."
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Reelers Bro all set for Debut
25.05
Aidan O'Brien unleashes a full-brother to Highland Reel as Cape Of Good Hope makes his racecourse debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Leopardstown on Friday evening.
Highland Reel retired at the end of last year having won seven Group Ones so there will be plenty of attention on this son of Galileo, who will be partnered by Ryan Moore.
O’Brien also fields two other choicely-bred individuals in Rip Van Winkle’s brother Albuquerque and Christmas, who is related to a number of black-type performers.
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Ballydoyle Quartet set for Irish 1000 Guineas
25.05
Clemmie and Happily spearhead Aidan O’Brien’s quest to win the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh for an eighth time.
Happily has already run in one Classic this season, when third in the English equivalent at Newmarket.
A setback in the spring prevented Clemmie from running there and O’Brien has stressed the Cheveley Park winner will come on a good deal for the run.
The duo are joined by Could it be Love who finished 8th in the French Guineas 2 weeks ago & Cork Maiden winner Most Gifted
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Ballydoyle Stables plead guilty to breach of employment laws
25.05
Ballydoyle Racing on Thursday pleaded guilty to a breach of employment law at Cashel District Court and was given the Probation Act after donating €2,000 to the court poor box.
The Workplace Relations Commission, which incorporates the State labour inspection service, confirmed that Golden Dale - trading as Ballydoyle Racing - had entered a plea in relation to the offence of failing to keep records regarding the National Minimum Wage.
The WRC said the case was "marked proven" by Judge Finn.
It said the accused had made an application to have the Probation of Offenders Act of 1907 applied.
In consideration of a donation of €2,000 to the court poor box, Judge Finn applied the Probation Act.
The WRC said that keeping records was necessary to show whether the National Minimum Wage Act was being complied with.
It said that while working with employers to achieve compliance with employment laws, it will where necessary take a robust approach to prosecuting employers - including a recent case of a different employer involving a "substantial" penalty for non-cooperation with WRC inspectors.
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Justify’s Breeding Rights Are rumored to Be Sold to Coolmore for $60 Million
25.05
The breeding rights for Justify, who became the first horse since 1882 to win the Kentucky Derby without having competed as a 2-year-old and followed that feat by winning the Preakness Stakes, are to be sold to Coolmore Stud.
The $60 million deal was said to have been negotiated before the Preakness, according to multiple people familiar with the deal who were not authorized to speak publicly because it had not yet been announced, and a bonus of about $25 million would also kick in if Justify pulled off a Triple Crown sweep by winning the Belmont Stakes on June 9.
Elliott Walden, president and chief executive of WinStar Farm, which owns Justify’s breeding rights along with China Horse Club and SF (Soros Fund) Racing, said Thursday that a deal had not yet been finalized. (Head of Plains Partners and Starlight Racing had previously bought SF Racing’s racing interest in the horse, but SF had retained its share of the breeding rights.)
“We have had numerous inquiries into the breeding rights of Justify, including from Coolmore,” Walden said in a statement, adding, “We are focused on the Belmont Stakes and his racing career.”
Reached earlier this week, Walden said: “We get offers all the time, especially for our top horses, so I can see how those rumors get started,” Walden said, “but it’s simply not true.”
Coolmore stood Justify’s sire, Scat Daddy, who won the Fountain of Youth and the Florida Derby in 2007 but sustained a tendon injury in the Kentucky Derby that year and was retired. He found success as a stallion, primarily producing prominent turf horses while shuttling from Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky to Australia and Chile. His fee had risen to $100,000 from $10,000, but he died suddenly in 2015 at 11 of a what was believed to be a cardiac event when he collapsed while leaving his paddock.
“Obviously you felt bad for everyone involved, but we just lost a horse that could have been around for a long while, being very successful as a stallion, producing talented sons and daughters, that’s the stuff you can’t avoid in our industry,” his co-owner James Scatuorchio said.
Scat Daddy’s legacy, however, continues to grow, even on dirt. From his penultimate crop, he sent four horses to the Derby, including Justify, becoming the first sire to do so in 95 years.
Coolmore also stands American Pharoah, who in 2015 became the first horse in 37 years to sweep the Triple Crown. His 2018 fee in the United States has not been disclosed, but in the past couple years, he was commanding about $200,000 per live foal that stands and nurses. Producing an average of 150 live foals from the breeding season in Kentucky, American Pharoah is racking up more than $35 million in stallion fees there. He also heads to Australia for its fall breeding season and commands about $50,000 per live foal.
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George Ready to roll at Leopardstown
24.05
Order Of St George has four rivals as he attempts to win the Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes for the third year running at Leopardstown on Friday evening.
The son of Galileo has enjoyed smooth victories in this Listed contest in 2016-17 and trainer Aidan O’Brien is again using it as a stepping stone towards the Ascot Gold Cup, in which he won two years ago and was just touched off by Big Orange last season.
Fresh from winning on his seasonal reappearance last month, Order Of St George will be at prohibitive odds to complete the hat-trick before he heads to Royal Ascot in his bid to regain the stayers’ crown.
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War Decree retires and will stand in New Zealand
24.05
In a major boost for New Zealand breeding, Inglewood Stud, in partnership with Kevin Hickman's Valachi Downs, has secured exciting young entire War Decree for stud duties in 2018.
"We've been open to the idea of standing a new stallion at Inglewood for the past four seasons but we just haven't found the right horse for us," said Inglewood's Gus Wigley.
"We've been chasing this guy for nearly 12 months, he's the horse we wanted and we're just thrilled to bits to have hunted him down and secured him."
A four-length winner on his juvenile debut for trainer Aidan O'Brien, War Decree proved himself among the best two-year-olds in Europe with a dominant win in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes (1400m).
He then went on to finish a close runner-up in the G2 Superlative Stakes (1400m) in his only other start as a juvenile.
War Decree continued that form into his three-year-old season, winning the G3 Diamond Stakes (2100m), which was the catalyst for a campaign that included the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic (2000m), G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and G1 Dubai Turf (1800m).
While the campaign proved a challenge for the youngster, it showed the high regard his trainer held for him.
"He's a horse who had a lot of natural talent and ability," O'Brien said. "He's an unusually good mover, he covers a lot of ground and barely touches it, so fast ground suited him well."
War Decree is a son of the internationally revered War Front, whose 68 Stakes winners and 18 Group 1 winners come from just over 450 runners at a strike-rate of 15 per cent.
While War Front has been dominant in his resident North America, he has experienced great success in Europe with his association with Coolmore Stud in Ireland. His 25 Stakes winners in Europe include six Group 1 winners and a champion two-year-old for the past three seasons.
On his female side, War Decree is equally well represented, his dam is a daughter of Street Cry and the multiple Group 1-winning mare Ticker Tape.
"War Decree just has that complete profile we look for in a stallion," Wigley said.
"We think that profile is very similar to that of our foundation sire Zacinto, in that he was a Group 2 winner that connections thought of as a genuine Group 1 horse, while his sire is world leading and his sire-producing female family has the thickest blue-blood.
"I inspected War Decree in Ireland last week with Valachi's Jonathan Scully. He's just a smashing, big horse with so much quality about him. He's got just about the best walk I've seen on a horse and I think New Zealand breeders will love him."
War Decree will stand his first season at Inglewood Stud for a service fee of $6500 + GST.
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Our 6th Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 13 Ballydoyle Residents in the ratings including Europe's top rated 2YO & 3YO
Huge thanks to Timeform - website
> https://www.timeform.com -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aidan outlines weekend plans at the Curragh
Tue 22nd May 2018
Happily Heads Ballydoyle Nine In Irish 1,000 Guineas - Aidan is responsible for nine of the 20 remaining fillies in contention for Sunday’s Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
Heading up the team are Happily, who was third at Newmarket behind Richard Hannon’s Billesdon Brook, and last year’s Cheveley Park Stakes winner Clemmie.
Clemmie had been favourite for Newmarket before being ruled out of the race when a stone bruise held up her preparation.
“Happily will run and it’s the plan to run Clemmie,” said O’Brien.
“It will be Clemmie’s first start and she will improve a lot from it, whatever she does. It was nothing major (her setback) and as long as she runs a nice race, we’ll be pleased.”
Actress, Athena, Could It Be Love, Hence, I Can Fly, Magical and Most Gifted are still in contention for the Ballydoyle team.
Aidan has left in Gustav Klimt, who finished sixth in the 2000 Guineas, US Navy Flag, Conclusion, Spanish Point and Threeandfourpence,
The Ballydoyle handler said: “The plan at the minute is that US Navy Flag, who ran in France, and Gustav Klimt, who ran at Newmarket, will go.
“Threeandfourpence might go as well. We’ll see what else, but they are the main ones at the moment.”
Cliffs Of Moher remains on course for an intriguing battle in Sunday’s Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
Last year’s Derby runner-up Cliffs Of Moher finally returned to winning ways last time out for Aidan O’Brien.
Of the 10 remaining in the Group One, O’Brien also has Hydrangea, Clear Skies, Yucatan and Lancaster Bomber, with the latter having finished third in the Lockinge last Saturday.
Hydrangea won two Group Ones last year, beating stablemate Winter in the Matron Stakes and seeing off the classy Bateel at Ascot on Champions Day.
“Cliffs Of Moher, the horse who won the Mooresbridge, will run,” said O’Brien.
“We’ll stay at a mile and a quarter for the moment and then we’ll see where we go after that.
“Hydrangea might run with him, but she’s just ready to start and if she runs a nice race we’ll look forward to her next time.”
Hydrangea is one of seven possible runners in the Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.
Aidan O’Brien’s two-time Group One winner has not been seen since she won the Qipco British Champions Fillies And Mares Stakes in October, but she remains in contention for the one-mile Group Two, in which stablemate Clear Skies could also run.
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Ballydoyle Quartet left in the Temple Stakes
Different League could run in the Temple Stakes
22nd May
Aidan O’Brien has left four horses in the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes as he bids to break new ground by winning the Group Two for the first time at Haydock on Saturday.
The Ballydoyle handler’s possibles include the five-year-old Washington DC, who was sixth in this race 12 months ago.
Three-year-olds Actress, Declarationofpeace and Different League make up his quartet though the latter holds two others engagement on the same card.
Last year’s Albany Stakes scorer, when she was trained in France, is also in the Sandy Lane Stakes and the Cecil Frail Stakes.
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Ballydoyle Epsom Plans Revealed
22nd May
Aidan O’Brien’s plans for the Investec Derby at Epsom are likely to be firmed up “towards the end of the week” — but there are no dangers that hot favourite Saxon Warrior will miss out.
The Ballydoyle handler last year saddled six horses, including the winner, Wings Of Eagles, in the premier Classic.
And it could be similar scenario in the Derby on Saturday week, with O’Brien once again poised to be mob-handed.
Saxon Warrior will be O’Brien’s chief contender after he brilliantly won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Lingfield Derby Trial runner-up Kew Gardens, Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon — respective second and third in the Derrinstown Derby Trial — and Dante third Zabriskie are also in the frame.
O’Brien still has entered a clutch of other potential Derby runners, but plans at this stage remain fluid.
He said: “It depends upon what the lads (owners Coolmore) want to do, really, but obviously all those horses are born, bred and raised to be Derby horses.
“Obviously if they’re in good shape and they’re well, the lads like to give them their chance, like they did last year.
“I’m not sure what they’re really thinking at the moment
“The lads haven’t got together and spoke about what they want to do. I think that will happen towards the end of the week.”
Speaking at the Breakfast with the Stars event at Epsom on Tuesday morning, O’Brien issued a positive update on Saxon Warrior, who is odds-on favourite to provide his trainer with a seventh Derby success.
He said: “We are happy with Saxon Warrior and it’s so far, so good with all the possibles.
“We always thought he was a very high-quality colt and he’s done everything right so far.
“He’s a very strong blend of Danehill, Galileo and Deep Impact. We haven’t had anything like him before. He’s exciting. “
Aidan O’Brien admits Ryan Moore will find it difficult to abandon Magical in the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday week.
Moore developed a sound association with the Galileo filly last season, but the star jockey was similarly taken by Cheshire Oaks winner Magic Wand.
O’Brien said: “I suppose Magical was a very highly-rated filly last year and she’s a full sister to Rhododendron, but I know Ryan was very happy with the filly he rode in Chester as well.
“It’s not going to be an easy one for him, but he’s probably going to find it hard to get off Magical.
“But that’s not to say that he won’t because I know he was very happy with the Chester filly and we were very happy with her also.”
O’Brien also plans to saddle Blue Wind Stakes winner Bye Bye Baby, while Cheshire Oaks runner-up Forever Together and I Can Fly are other likely Oaks contenders.
But speaking at the Breakfast with the Stars event at Epsom on Tuesday morning, the Ballydoyle handler said Happily, who finished third in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, will not run at Epsom.
He said: “She’s going to the Irish Guineas and there’s not a lot of time to come back.”
Sea Of Class burst into the Oaks picture when successful at Newbury on Saturday, but she is not a definite runner at this stage.
Trainer William Haggas said: “She won very well last week and it didn’t surprise us.
“My feeling is the Oaks will come too quick. I emailed Mrs (Ling) Tsui (of owners Sunderland Holding Ltd) the day after Newbury and I got a response this morning, but I need to speak to her in person.
“She’s quite keen to go, naturally. As she says, ‘There’s only one Investec Oaks’, but ultimately I think she’ll leave it to me. I’ve just got to discuss it with her.
“I’ve got her in the Ribblesdale and I’ve put her in the French Oaks. The French Oaks looks the right fit as it gives her a month from Newbury and it gives us time to go for the Irish Oaks as well.”
Haggas will, though, definitely be represented in the Classic with Musidora winner Give And Take.
He said: “Give And Take will run in the Oaks and James Doyle will definitely ride her, depending on Sea Of Class.”
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New Coolmore Poster - Another Fantastic Weekend for Scat Daddy
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South African G1 winner Cloth of Cloud to be sold in foal to Galileo + Award Winning & 6 Galileo Yealings also to be sold at Tattersalls by Castlebridge
South African G1 Winner Cloth of Cloud was at Ballydoyle for a short while this year to be sold in foal to Galileo at Tattersalls July Sale.
The outstanding South African bred five year old Gr1 winner Cloth Of Cloud, in foal to nine time Champion sire Galileo, looks set to be amongst the highlights of an impressive Tattersalls July Sale which takes place July 11 to 13.
Also 6 Galileo Yearlings will also be sold including second foals out of the Australian Gr1 winners Nechita and Sea Siren & the half sister to Gr2 Lowther Stakes winner Beshara,.
Dubawi filly Award Winning and the equally well related Galileo filly C’est Ca will also go under the hammer
Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The Tattersalls July Sale is well established as Europe’s premier midsummer sale and this year’s sale is shaping up to be an outstanding renewal. The star South African mare Cloth Of Cloud presents a very rare opportunity to buy a young Group 1 winner in foal to the extraordinary Galileo and the six Galileo yearling fillies will add an extra dimension to a sale which already annually attracts a global audience.”
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Leading Sires Tables GB & IRE Updated Galileo Top - No Nay Nver Leads - Camelot 2nd Dec Of War 6th - Excelebration 9th
British Flat Trainers Championship Updated
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A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated
A.P.O'Brien Career Stats updated
A.P.O'Brien Group Race History Honors Board Updated
Galileo Millionaires Club Updated
Galileo Year By Year Stud Stats Updated
A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated
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Aidan's Plans for next weekend as Gustav George Clemmie
& Happily set to star
Gustav Klimt is set to feature in a three-pronged challenge by Aidan O'Brien on the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
The Galileo colt impressed on his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown last month, but had to settle for sixth place in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket behind stablemate Saxon Warrior.
The Ballydoyle trainer said: "US Navy Flag and Gustav Klimt will probably run, and Threeandfourpence might be there as well.
"We were a bit disappointed with him (Gustav Klimt), he's always travelled very strongly with a lot of pace at home and the Curragh will tell us an awful lot - whether we go to Ascot and shorten up or whether we go to the St James's Palace."
O'Brien also outlined plans for some of his fillies: "Happily and Clemmie go for the 1,000 and maybe Could It Be Love as well. Magical may go for the Oaks.
"If Clemmie finished in the first five we would be over the moon, but she is going to make a massive jump."
O'Brien plans to have two runners in the Tattersalls Gold Cup on day two of the big meeting, including Derby runner-up Cliffs Of Moher, who was back in action recently winning the Mooresbridge Stakes at Naas.
He said: "Cliffs Of Moher will go for the Tattersalls Gold Cup, along with Hydrangea, but she is just ready to start and if she runs a nice race we will be delighted."
O'Brien also confirmed former Gold Cup winner Order Of St George on course to make his comeback in the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown on Friday evening.
He added: "That was always the plan, go there and hopefully go to Ascot."
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Sioux Nation leads home Fleet Review in Ballydoyle 1 2 in Lacken Stakes
Sioux Nation tanks through proceedings and shows a decisive turn of foot to win the Group 3 @Goffs1866 Lacken Stakes @NaasRacecourse:
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore completed a treble on a reduced card (final two races cancelled) at Naas as Sioux Nation returned to his best when defying a Group 1 penalty in the Goffs Lacken Stakes.
Winner of last season’s Phoenix Stakes, the Scat Daddy colt displayed his class to dismiss the opposition in this Group 3 contest.
The uneasy 15/8 favourite showed he had come on from his reappearance at Navan last month by leading a furlong out under Ryan Moore to score by a length and a quarter from stable companion Fleet Review.
Moore and O’Brien were successful earlier on the card with Broadway and Sergei Prokofiev.< Sioux Nation won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2017 and could return there next month for the Commonwealth Cup or the King’s Stand Stakes.
O’Brien said: “We came here to find out if it was five or six furlongs at Ascot.
“Seamus (Heffernan on Fleet Review) let his lad roll along to make it a good, strong six because we always felt he had a lot of speed and wanted to know whether we would go for the King’s Stand or the Commonwealth Cup.
“Ryan said he has all the speed in the world and he would have no problem going back to five, but maybe let him take on the three-year-olds this year (Commonwealth Cup). He also said he would be looking forward to the Nunthorpe.
‘He’s a great traveller and he quickens. It couldn’t be fast enough for him. Fast ground and fast horse — that is usually the way.”
Paddy Power cut Sioux Nation into 7/1 (from 10/1) for the Commonwealth Cup.
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Sergei Prokofiev in a league of his own in Rochestown
Starting to live up to that $1.1m price tag - @Ballydoyle's Sergei Prokofiev scorches the @NaasRacecourse turf in the Listed Coolmore War Command Rochestown Stakes...
Sergei Prokofiev had little trouble landing the odds in the Coolmore War Command Rochestown Stakes at Naas.
Aidan O’Brien’s exciting youngster was close to the lead in third place as Mick Channon’s British raider Izzer set the pace.
The 2-7 favourite hit the front under Ryan Moore and soon put the race to bed.
Andre Amar made late gains to take the runner-up spot, some four lengths adrift, with Offline third and Izzer weakening into fourth.
RaceBets cut the winner to 4-1 favourite from 9-2 for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, with BoyleSports 2-1 from 3-1, and O’Brien said: “He’s learning and when he gets more pace in front of him it will help.
“He’s very natural and gets there very easy – Ryan is very happy with him.
“It will be either the Coventry or the Norfolk (at the Royal meeting) and will depend on what we do with some of the other two-year-olds.
“He won’t mind going five or six (furlongs).”
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Broadway leads them a merry dance in Naas Opener
Ryan Moore kept it simple on odds-on-favourite Broadway with an all-the-way success in Naas.
The daughter of Galileo contested the fillies' maiden over a mile and broke well to lead.
She was shaken up to assert in the final furlong and came home by a comfortable two and a half lengths.
The 10/11 favourite beat Kalaxana, who was doing her best work at the finish, into second at 14/1.
A gamble on Jim Bolger's newcomer Scriobh Nua (7/2 to 9/4) was foiled although she showed potential in third, beaten three and a quarter lengths by the winner having been prominent throughout.
Aidan O’Brien said: “She did that lovely and I suppose she was entitled to do that after her last run. Ryan said that trip is good for her and we’ll probably try for a Stakes race next with her.” Broadway was the clear form choice after a third place in a Group Three at Leopardstown earlier in the month.
©Healy Racing Photos
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Rover roasts em in Olympic Glory Stakes at Newbury
The Irish Rover (7-2) makes amends for an expensive defeat last time at Ascot to win the valuable Olympic Glory Conditions Stakes @NewburyRacing to give Ryan Moore a treble, and a double for Aidan O'Brien
Exciting prospect for young @coolmorestud stallion No Nay Never
"We've always thought the world of her...she was second in the Guineas and this was her first run at a mile since then." Aidan O'Brien outlines potential future targets for Lockinge winner Rhododendron.
Resultsbit.ly/2w8fYfO
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Southern France lands Yeats stakes
©Healy Racing Photos
Southern France put in a workmanlike performance to take the feature at Navan this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats Stakes.
A good second on debut here last month, the Aidan O'Brien trained son of Galileo got off the mark at Leopardstown just last Sunday.
Stepping up in class for this Listed contest, he was sent off the 4/7 favourite with Donnacha O'Brien in the saddle.
Settled behind the leaders on the outer, he was pushed along from three furlongs out and soon led. He was ridden under two furlongs from home, keeping on well from there to prevail by half a length.
Drapers Guild (25/1), who won his maiden at Dundalk last month, ran a huge race to finish second, with Shane Foley aboard this chestnut gelding for Joseph O'Brien.
Whirling Dervish was another length and a quarter back in third.
The winning rider said afterwards: "He stays well. We weren't going very quick so I just wanted to make it into a bit of a test. Once he got to the front he had a bit of a look.
"I think he will be a better horse again next year when he strengthens up a bit more as he's a little weak behind the saddle. The Queens Vase could be a natural enough next step for him."
Aidan O'Brien was completing a treble on the day with Southern France, having took the feature at Newbury earlier with Rhododendron, while also winning with The Irish Rover at the same venue.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
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Rhododendron blooms in Lockinge
A thrilling renewal of the @AlShaqab as Rhododendron just denies old warrior Lightning Spear to give Aidan O'Brien his second win in the race.
Results
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El Greco makes all to bring up Ballydoyle double
The 25th individual winner for @Ballydoyle in the UK and Ireland this year - El Greco appreciates the quicker ground to get off the mark under Seamie Heffernan at @corkracecourse:
©Healy Racing Photos
After taking the previous contest with Most Gifted, Aidan O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan quickly doubled-up with El Greco in the Buy Online @corkracecourse.ie Maiden.
Third on his debut at Dundalk in October, the son of Galileo again finishing third on his second start at the all-weather venue last month.
Having made all on Most Gifted, Heffernan adopted the same front-running tactics on this son of Galileo, who was sent off a 5/2 chance.
He was ridden from the two furlong pole, and kept on well inside the final furlong to score by a length and three parts.
Tremendous Leap (3/1) finished second under Donnacha O'Brien for his brother Joseph, while the 7/4 favourite (from 5/2) New To Town was another length and three parts back in third.
Heffernan said afterwards: "He is a grand big lad and is a typical one of Aidan’s and hopefully he’ll continue to improve away.
"I'd say he got a little tired at Dundalk but he was very likeable there. I'd say he'll want a little further and hopefully he'll be getting fitter with each run."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
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Most Gifted gets better of stablemate Hence in Ballydoyle 12
From the family of Derby winner Pour Moi, well-entered War Front filly Most Gifted gets off the mark at @corkracecourse for @Ballydoyle:
©Healy Racing Photos
Most Gifted led home a 1, 2 for Aidan O'Brien, as she made all in the Cork Racecourse Fillies Maiden.
A good third on debut to Wisdom Mind at the Curragh last Friday, the daughter of War Front was sent off a 5/2 joint-favourite this evening.
She was ridden by Seamie Heffernan over a furlong out, and kept on well from there to score by a length and a half.
Stable mate Hence was the other joint-favourite, and she finished second under Donnacha O'Brien.
The Denise Foster trained Merited (50/1) ran a huge race on debut, keeping on well to take third, another half a length back with Killian Leonard in the saddle.
Heffernan said afterwards: "She had a lovely run last week and better ground was a help. The best horse should be in front - it's the easiest way!
!Hopefully she will step up in grade now, on better ground."
The winner holds a whole host of big race entries.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
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Our fifth Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 13 Ballydoyle Residents in the ratings including Europe's top rated 2YO & 3YO
Huge thanks to Timeform - website
> https://www.timeform.com
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Ballydoyle Quartet bid to unlock Lockinge
Hawk Wing the only Ballydoyle resident to ever win the Lockinge
17th May
Rhododendron and Lancaster Bomber head a party of four from the Aidan O’Brien stable heading to Saturday’s Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
Hawk Wing, back in 2003, is O’Brien’s sole winner of the Group One over a mile, but he has a strong team this time among a final field of 16.
Rhododendron, a dual Group One winner was fourth to Cracksman on her seasonal debut while Lancaster Bomber ran in Dubai in March.
Deauville and War Decree make up the Ballydoyle handler’s quartet.
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Ballydoyle doubly represented in the Betfred Dante Stakes
James Cook set for the Dante Stakes
15th May
O’Brien sends James Cook and Zabriskie across the Irish Sea in his bid to win this recognised Derby trial for a fifth time, but both horses need to improve after finishing down the field in the Investec Blue Riband Trial at Epsom last month.
Aidan said "James Cook and Zabriskie will run in the Dante at York this week and we'll see how they get on. As we're in Ireland, we try and get our Derby horses out before York as we have to travel a lot more than anyone in England would have to. They could both go to Epsom depending on how they run, but if not we will hold some horses back for Royal Ascot. We have Saxon Warrior, but, at the same time, you need to have back-ups.
Aidan O'Brien Dante Stakes Winners – (4) – Saratoga Spring (1998), Septimus (2006), Black Bear Island (2009), Cape Blanco (2010)
Ryan will ride Declarationofpeace in the 4:35 British Stallion Stud Westow Listed Stakes Ryan rides James Cook in the 3:30 Betfred Dante stakes no jockey booking yet for Zabriskie both races at York on Thursday 17 May 2018
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Aidan's Comments thoughts & targets for some of his stable Stars
15th May
U S Navy Flag
"We were happy with his run, considering what happened. We didn't say anything when he came in at all, but these things happen. We went there to see about the mile, but it was a little bit inconclusive. He might come back to the Irish Guineas if the ground is nice, then we could look at Royal Ascot. The Irish Guineas will tell us whether we go sprinting or stay at a mile."
Gustav Klimt
"We thought he would run a better race than he did at Newmarket, but he still ran a good race and we were very happy with him. It could have been that he ran in Leopardstown on his reappearance in very heavy ground and it took a bit more out of him than we thought. In the Guineas he raced a bit behind the bridle rather than the other way when he can be on it. He is very well now and his work is very good so he is going to go back to the Irish 2,000 Guineas."
Merchant Navy
"He is in good form and he is getting ready to go to Ascot, We've not had him too long and he might have a run on Irish Guineas weekend. If not he will work around that time and go straight to Ascot for the Diamond Jubilee. We are happy with him so far. He has a lovely relaxed way of moving and has a lovely mind, which is always a bit of an advantage for a sprinter. He is going to be here for Ascot, but I'm not sure if he can be here for the July Cup as he has stallion obligations in Australia and has to be back in time to start for that."
Hydrangea
"Hydrangea is in good shape and is nearly ready to start. She might start in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, but only for a run. She will be trying her best, but I'd say there will be drastic improvement from it. We are just thinking with Cliffs Of Moher whether we go the Tattersalls Gold Cup or the Coronation Cup. Obviously his best run was in Derby (finished second), but we were happy with him the last day. Speaking to Ryan (Moore) on Sunday he said don't rule out the Coronation yet."
Sioux Nation
"Sioux Nation will have a run somewhere" before lining up in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
Sergei Prokofiev
"The plan is to run him again. It could be at Naas over six furlongs or the Curragh over five. He will then race in either the Coventry or one of the five-furlong races at Royal Ascot."
Mendelssohn
"The plan is to go back to Churchill for the Breeders' Cup Classic and give him a prep run on dirt in America about two months before the race. The Kentucky Derby was a disaster, but we need to learn from it.
It's life or death in America when the gates open. You cannot miss it. It becomes so mad, it's everyone for themselves. It was a different world, very aggressive.
Bob Baffert told me before the race he had told his driver if his fellow missed the break he’d be in the car before the horse had got to the first bend. When he said that, I thought to myself, 'What chance have we got?' It was the most brutal thing I've ever seen anywhere in the world.
Saxon Warrior
"Saxon Warrior is in very good form at home and has come out of the 2000 Guineas very well. He is a good traveller and a very well-balanced colt. He didn't have any problem with the dip at Newmarket and he wears his head low, so we'll see what happens at Epsom.
We were always looking forward to stepping him up in distance, but in the 2000 Guineas, he travelled like a miler and quickened like a miler. However, we have always thought he was going to be a middle distance horse - he is very good.
He got headed in the Racing Post Trophy and got headed again so you would have to be very happy with how everything panned out at Newmarket.
We were very happy with the 2000 Guineas as that was his first run of the season and he was going to progress from it. There is a nice gap between Newmarket and the Derby so usually if they can handle the dip at Newmarket like he did, then hopefully they should be able to handle the contours of Epsom.
Ryan will ride Saxon Warrior in the Derby and is our number one rider. Ryan and Donnacha went through the 2000 Guineas beforehand and discussed the race. There are so many variables in races that you cannot control, such as horses around you and position. Obviously, if we are lucky enough to get him to Epsom in good shape, hopefully the rest will fall into place.
We viewed him as a Camelot and Australia-type of horse and that is the way we have done everything with him.
Donnacha rode him well and he really quickened up impressively at Newmarket. Donnacha rode the horse work and knew him very well, so it was a special moment.
He is very strong and powerful. He is built like a miler, but we always thought he would stay. He went like a horse who would love going middle distances. You can see all of those strong traits in him, so he is very interesting.
I think the lads would think long and hard about the Triple Crown. If the opportunity arose for that to happen, I think the lads would think about doing it. They won't think about it until after the Derby, but obviously it would be unbelievable to have a horse who was able to do it.
We would be delighted if he could win the Triple Crown. It is a tough thing to do to win those three races. We were delighted with Camelot, having won a 2000 Guineas and a Derby. We didn't win at Doncaster, but with all those things, we analyse what went wrong and if a horse did come along to put us in that position again, then we would be delighted.
Life is life and things happen for a reason, we don't understand sometimes why these things happen, but they are out of our control so we accept them and defeat gracefully and move on.
We were always hopeful after Camelot that perhaps another horse would come along who could run in all three races and that was part of the reason that Saxon Warrior started in the 2000 Guineas.
We could have gone to the Dante with him, but we thought if there was a chance we had a Triple Crown horse, he was going to be the horse, so that's why we started him off at Newmarket. The way it worked out, we were delighted so we are still alive and kicking after the first round.
It would be interesting to see if he would stay further after the Derby and targeting the Triple Crown and going for races like that is something that the lads have started to think a lot more about, such as if a fast horse comes along which they don't think will stay, then they won't go that way.
The lads have changed a lot since we came here. The commercial notion is not as important any more as exposing the horses. They have a big broodmare band and a big team of stallions so they are exposing horses to different races to see what their limitations are."
Delano Roosevelt & The Pentagon
"I was very happy with our horses at Leopardstown on Sunday It wasn't a mad pace by any stretch of the imagination, but sometimes the trials can nearly turn into the real races themselves so horses don't progress like you feel they will do going into the big races after a trial.
However, yesterday they went very slow and it was sensible. Looking at our horses, I thought maybe a mile and a half might suit them.
We will have more than one runner in the Derby and we will try to ensure that it is a fair pace for everybody as you never really work out what stays if you go a slow gallop. All you can ever ask for in the Derby is that the horses come out of the race well and then we decide where to go next with them.
Hopefully, we get a clear run from now. I haven't spoken to the lads about the other horses we may run in the Derby yet and they won't make a decision yet, but I suppose Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon, who finished second and third at Leopardstown yesterday, could go."
Kew Gardens
"We were very happy with Kew Gardens at Lingfield The winner was very keen and it's very rare that you see horses who are like that stay on and actually win. I wouldn't put you off of Kew Gardens though, he could be a proper mile and a half horse. That's four horses there and we'll have to wait and see if something else runs."
James Cook & Zabriskie
James Cook and Zabriskie will run in the Dante at York this week and we'll see how they get on. As we're in Ireland, we try and get our Derby horses out before York as we have to travel a lot more than anyone in England would have to. They could both go to Epsom depending on how they run, but if not we will hold some horses back for Royal Ascot. We have Saxon Warrior, but, at the same time, you need to have back-ups.
Rostropovich
"I think Rostropovich might go for the French Derby. We went up in trip with him and he won well at Chester. Nice ground is probably ideal for him and in a way Chester is like Chantilly as it is sharp and tight. He's a very straightforward and relaxed horse who quickened up well at Chester."
Magic Wand Happily & Forever Together
I think Magic Wand and Forever Together, the two fillies from Chester, will both head to Epsom. We might go to the Irish 1000 Guineas with Happily and then perhaps something like the French Oaks as she is not guaranteed to get a mile and a half.
Magical
"Magical didn't run yesterday [Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial, Leopardstown] because of the ground so she may go straight to Epsom. This year there isn't a big gap between the Irish 1000 Guineas and the Oaks at Epsom, so we have to make a decision to go for one or the other.
September
"September won't go to Epsom as she is just trotting currently. She is getting back to full fitness, but that is just the way it is. She's still not 100%.
Clemmie
"Clemmie will run in the Irish 1000 Guineas and if she runs a nice race there, then we will head to Ascot. Everything is good with her and there is improvement in her. Her canters are gentle and we can't have another setback with her. She was a little bit stiff behind, but we couldn't really find anything wrong with her as her x-rays and scans were all fine, but she wasn't 100% trotting. She is fine now and she'll be another interesting one."
Idaho
"Idaho won well at Chester. The plan was to run at Chester in the Ormonde and then head to Epsom - that still is the plan. After Chester, Ryan said he could be a horse who would go further. Seamie, when he rode him in the St Leger, said he was going very easy, so it seems to make sense that he wants further.
Cliffs Of Moher
"Cliffs Of Moher could go for the Tattersalls Gold Cup or the Coronation Cup. His best run was in the Derby and we were very happy with him the last day. He is a good, strong traveller, but, speaking to Ryan yesterday, he said to not rule out the Coronation. We have to decide that as well, so it will be interesting. I'd imagine one of Cliffs Of Moher or Idaho would run in the Coronation."
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A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated
A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated
British Flat Trainers Championship Updated
Leading Sires Tables Updated
A.P.O'Brien Career Stats Updated
Aidan has now trained an astonishing 78 Multiple Group/Grade One Winners Here they are listed by their number of top level victories some historic names among them.
A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses Updated
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Intelligence Cross Spirit of Valor U S Navy Flag Declarationofpeace Fleet Review Murillo all entered in the G2 Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday 26/05/18. MERCHANT NAVY has not been entered but is entered in the Greenlands Stakes (Group 2) (6f) on the same day at The Curragh.
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Rhododendron and Lancaster Bomber set for Lockinge
Aidan O’Brien plans to run Rhododendron and Lancaster Bomber in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
O’Brien has also confirmed Deauville and War Decree, but at this stage intends to launch a dual assault on the Group One over a mile.
He said: “We are going to run Rhododendron and Lancaster Bomber if the ground is nice.
“Rhododendron is good and she has come forward for her first run in France.
“I’m not convinced she really stays (a mile and a quarter). This is back to a mile for the first time since the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.”
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US Navy Flag on a retrieval mission in the Irish 2000 Guineas
US Navy Flag could head for the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh following his “inconclusive” run in Sunday’s French equivalent at ParisLongchamp.
Last season’s Middle Park and Dewhurst hero made much of the running in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, but stumbled rounding the home bend and after meeting interference in the final furlong, passed the post in fifth place.
Several jockeys subsequently voiced their concerns about the condition of the ground, which led to a 30-minute delay to the French 1000 Guineas and a change of course, but O’Brien is keen to move on.
He said: “We were happy with his run, considering what happened. We didn’t say anything when he came in at all, but these things happen.
“We went there to see about the mile, but it was a little bit inconclusive.
“He might come back to the Irish Guineas if the ground is nice, then we could look at (Royal Ascot).
“The Irish Guineas will tell us whether we go sprinting or stay at a mile.”
US Navy Flag is likely to be joined in the Irish Guineas by stablemate Gustav Klimt.
The Galileo colt could only finish sixth behind Saxon Warrior in the Newmarket Guineas and O’Brien hopes he can raise his game at the Curragh on Saturday week.
O’Brien said: “We thought he would run a better race than he did (at Newmarket), but he still ran a good race and we were very happy with him.
“It could have been that he ran in Leopardstown (on his reappearance) in very heavy ground and it took a bit more out of him than we thought. In the Guineas he raced a bit behind the bridle rather than the other way when he can be on it.
“He is very well now and his work is very good so he is going to go back to the Irish 2,000 Guineas.”
Australian Group One winner Merchant Navy is an exciting addition to the three-year-old ranks at Ballydoyle and is being prepared for an appearance at Royal Ascot next month.
“He is in good form and he is getting ready to go to Ascot,” said O’Brien.
“We’ve not had him too long and he might have a run on Irish Guineas weekend. If not he will work around that time and go straight to Ascot for the Diamond Jubilee.
“We are happy with him so far. He has a lovely relaxed way of moving and has a lovely mind, which is always a bit of an advantage for a sprinter.
“He is going to be here for Ascot, but I’m not sure if he can be here for the July Cup as he has stallion obligations in Australia and has to be back in time to start for that.”
O’Brien confirmed last week’s Ormonde Stakes winner Idaho a likely runner in the Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 1 and also revealed plans for recent Mooresbridge Stakes winner Cliffs Of Moher and dual Group One-winning filly Hydrangea.
He said: “Hydrangea is in good shape and is nearly ready to start. She might start in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, but only for a run. She will be trying her best, but I’d say there will be drastic improvement from it.
“We are just thinking with Cliffs Of Moher whether we go the Tattersalls Gold Cup or the Coronation Cup.
“Obviously his best run was in Derby (finished second), but we were happy with him the last day.
“Speaking to Ryan (Moore) on Sunday he said don’t rule out the Coronation yet.”
Sioux Nation “will have a run somewhere” before lining up in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
The Ballydoyle juvenile team being considered for the Royal meeting includes last month’s runaway Navan scorer Sergei Prokofiev.
O’Brien said: “The plan is to run him again. It could be at Naas over six furlongs or the Curragh over five.
“He will then race in either the Coventry or one of the five-furlong races at Royal Ascot.”
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Magic Wand to cast a spell over Epsom
Cheshire Oaks heroine Magic Wand is set to spearhead Aidan O’Brien’s assault on the Investec Oaks at Epsom.
The daughter of Galileo comfortably saw off stablemate Forever Together on the Roodee last Wednesday and both fillies are likely to bid for Classic glory on June 1.
Magical, who was declared a non-runner in Sunday’s Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown, is also bound for Epsom, while 1000 Guineas third Happily is less likely to make the trip.
O’Brien: “I was talking to Ryan (Moore) about it yesterday. Nothing is decided, but we’re thinking maybe the two fillies from Chester (will run in the Oaks).
“We were thinking about Happily, but we might go to the Irish Guineas with her. After that we might look at the French Oaks. She’s not guaranteed to get a mile and a half that filly.
“Magical didn’t run on Sunday because of the ground. She could go straight to Epsom.
“Before we could run fillies in the Irish Guineas and then go on to Epsom, because there was an extra five or seven days between.
“This year there’s not, so we can’t do the two.”
Two other Ballydoyle inmates who will not be heading to Epsom are Clemmie and September.
Clemmie missed the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket after suffering a setback, while September is also on the easy list.
O’Brien said: “Clemmie is going to start in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and because she had a little setback we have to be very careful.
“We can’t lean very hard on her, but we’re going to run in the Irish Guineas with a view that it will leave her right for (Royal) Ascot.
“She was a little bit wrong behind. We think she tweaked a muscle and we could never really find anything on the X-rays or scans, but she wasn’t 100 per cent in her trot.
“She is now and she’s working very well, but the reality is if Clemmie runs a nice race in the Irish Guineas and finishes in the first four or five, we’ll be very happy going to Ascot.
“If she comes out of it OK there’s going to be a lot of improvement in her.”
Of September, he added: “She is still trotting. She’s nearly 100 per cent, but she’s not sound enough to canter yet.
“We’ll go gentle with her, so she won’t make Epsom.”
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Saxon Warrior to spearhead Aidan's assault on Derby
Saxon Warrior is set to lead an Aidan O’Brien team of at least four horses into battle in the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 2.
The Deep Impact colt is odds-on across the board for the premier Classic following his decisive success in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
O’Brien is also set to saddle Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon, who finished second and third respectively in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Kew Gardens, who filled the runner-up spot in the Lingfield Derby Trial on Saturday, has also been earmarked to run in the Derby.
O’Brien said: “I’d imagine those four will run and we’ll see if anything else goes with them.
“I suppose the two horses in the trial yesterday, the second and the third, and I suppose the horse from Lingfield.
“He would be number four then, and if something else runs, I don’t know. That’s what I would be thinking.”
Rostropovich looked a likely Derby contender when running out an impressive winner of last week’s Dee Stakes at Chester.
O’Brien added: “I thought that maybe the horse from Chester might go to the French Derby and something might go with him.
“They’ve all been progressing from their trials. Even the horses (in the trials on Sunday), we were happy that they had progressed from their first runs.”
Saxon Warrior will be a red-hot favourite to provide his trainer with a seventh success in the Epsom Derby.
Worryingly for his rivals, O’Brien expects him to improve significantly from his 2000 Guineas success.
He said: “The plan with going to Newmarket, and with the Derby in mind, we didn’t want to start over seven furlongs.
“We thought a mile at Newmarket was going to be a lovely start-off for him.
“Obviously we were very happy with him. Everything’s good so far. We could not have been happier with Saxon because there’s an awful lot of improvement to come. It’ll be exciting to see.”
O’Brien added: “We’ve always thought he was going to be a middle-distance horse, rather than Guineas horse.
“He’s a big colt – he wears his head low. He’s a good traveller and he seems balanced.
“He didn’t have any problems at Newmarket with the dip. We’re very happy with him.
“Ryan Moore will ride him as he’s the number one rider and that’s the way it is.”
Should Saxon Warrior be successful at Epsom, he could be in line for a crack at the Triple Crown in the St Leger at Doncaster in September.
No horse has managed to win the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and the Leger since the great Nijinsky in 1970.
The O’Brien-trained Camelot came mightily close in 2012 after being beaten just three-quarters of a length in the final leg, and the Ballydoyle handler feels Saxon Warrior has the tools to go one better.
He said: “It would be unbelievable if we ever had a horse that ever did it.
“If there’s a chance we had a Triple Crown horse, this was always going to be the horse.
“And that’s why we started him off in the Guineas.
“We are still alive and kicking after the first round.”
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Aidan's cautious approach with Capri
The Galileo colt, winner of the Irish Derby and St Leger last season, made a successful return at Naas last month, but he is now on the easy list.
That means he will miss the Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 1 and, possibly, Royal Ascot.
O'Brien said: "He went to Naas and the plan was to go back to Naas again, but he bruised a shoulder and he was not 100 per cent for a while. I would imagine he would miss that part of the year and he'll be back in the autumn. He is sound now to go back cantering again. I'd say Royal Ascot, you couldn't rule out, but if I was put under pressure, I'd say he'd be an autumn horse."
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It's a 1-2 for Aidan O'Brien as Southern France, who holds entries at Royal @Ascot, lands the finale in good style ahead of stable companion Cypress Creek at @LeopardstownRC:
Photos Breandán Ó hUallacháin
Southern France rounded off a largely disappointing day for connections on a high, as he ran out a good winner of the last at Leopardstown, the Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden.
A fast-finishing second on his debut at Navan last month, the son of Galileo was expected to go one place better today, going off the 8/15 favourite.
Settled in third, the Aidan O'Brien trained colt was pushed along before the entrance to the straight, and was ridden to challenge front-running stable mate Cypress Creek from the two furlong pole.
He got to the front with a furlong left to race, and kept on well from there to score by two and a half lengths.
The aforementioned Cypress Creek finished second under Seamie Heffernan at 7/1, while National Security (10/1) was another four and three parts of a length back in third under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger.
Donnacha O'Brien said afterwards: "He's a grand big horse, genuine and stays well. There is plenty of improvement in him still. Once I got him out and gave him a few cracks he went on about his business.
"The first two are probably nice stayers, and my lad could be for something like the Queens Vase or even a King Edward."
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Gutsy Baby says Bye Bye to Blue Wind Rivals
Bye Bye Baby made all to land the feature at the Curragh this afternoon, the Group 3 Plusvital Irish EBF Blue Wind Stakes.
Successful in Listed company last year, the daughter of Galileo disappointed on her return to action at Navan last month, finishing eighth in the Salsabil Stakes when favourite.
Sent off at 11/4 this afternoon, she was sent straight to the front by Seamie Heffernan (riding a pound overweight).
She was ridden from two furlongs out, and kept on well under pressure from there, going on to score by two lengths.
The even money favourite Jaega was ridden from over a furlong out, but she couldn't reel in the winner, and had to settle for second under Leigh Roche for Dermot Weld.
"You'd be delighted with that and she came forward lovely from Navan," said O'Brien, who was completing a double on the card having won the opener with Land Force.
"She's a very straight-forward filly and I couldn't be happier.
"She'll go to Epsom next (for the Oaks). She's very straight-forward, very uncomplicated and stays well. She's a very well bred filly too.
"On their first runs I'm never surprised. Obviously we've seen the improvement can be out of this world sometimes.
"When they start off, they start off, and you just want them to progress. The first day is just the start."
On the size of his teams for the Oaks and Derby he added: "We'll have to keep going away and see what happens. The lads will decide how many they want to run.
"If they are there we'll let them run. We'll all learn together because really from the trials you don't know. You don't know what is a good trial or an ordinary one so we'll let them in there together and find out together.
"James Cook and Zabriskie will go to the Dante.”
On his Derrinstown Trial runners, O'Brien added: "They've all come forward. The Pentagon has moved up a good bit and it will be interesting. You'd be very happy with what he's done."
Paddy Power go 14/1 (from 33s) about Bye Bye Baby for the Epsom Oaks.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
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Could It Be Love & US Navy Flag set for French Guineas Test
Aidan is hoping the ground will favour dual Group One winner US Navy Flag as he bids for glory in Sunday’s Emirates Poule D’Essai Des Poulains at ParisLongchamp.
Successful in the Dewhurst and Middle Park in the autumn, he could not cope with testing conditions when last of four at Leopardstown last month.
“He’s a real good-ground horse and he’s a fast horse, obviously. We wanted to start and get a run into him,” the Ballydoyle handler told At The Races.
“The ground wasn’t ideal, but now going to his next run, we’re delighted we did get him started.”
Aidan relies on Could It Be Love as he bids for a second victory in the Poule D’Essai Des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.
The Ballydoyle handler claimed the French equivalent of the 1000 Guineas back in 2001 with Rose Gypsy and he sends just this daughter of War Front this year.
She made light of 326-day absence when bolting up in a Dundalk maiden last month and boasts a top-class pedigree.
“She is a half-sister to Uncle Mo. She won nicely so hopefully the ground is nice,” the Ballydoyle handler told At The Races.
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Land Force off the mark at the Curragh
Land Force got off the mark in the opener at the Curragh this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Third on debut at Naas last month, the son of No Nay Never opened on-course at 9/10 before drifting out to 11/10 at the off.
The market leader was sent straight to the front by Donnacha O'Brien, and was ridden to extend his advantage inside the final furlong, going on to score comfortably by two and a quarter lengths.
Newcomer Vocatus (8/1) finished second under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger, while the well-supported Wargrave was a head back in third.
Available at 7/1 in early shows, that Fozzy Stack trained colt opened on-course at 9/4 before going off a 13/8 chance under Chris Hayes.
"He came forward lovely from his first run. We were a bit worried about the heavy ground over six furlongs but he came forward lovely," said O'Brien.
"Donnacha was very happy with him. He's a hardy horse, and is going to take racing, so he could come back here for the Marble Hill.
"You'd be delighted with him."
The winner, who was bought for E350,000 as a yearling, is out of Group 3 winner Theann.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
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Flattering looks to book Oaks place at Lingfield
11.05
Runaway Cork scorer Flattering takes a swift step up in class in the Betfred Mobile Oaks Trial at Lingfield on Saturday.
The daughter of Galileo finished down the field on her only juvenile appearance at the Curragh last July, but proved an entirely different proposition on her seasonal reappearance, putting her rivals to the sword by upwards of 10 lengths.
She tests the water at Listed level just seven days later as trainer Aidan O’Brien bids to claim this prize for a third time.
“Flattering came out of Cork well. She got home very well,” the Ballydoyle maestro told At The Races.
“It was only over a mile and a quarter, but she looked like she will stay much further.
“Michael (Hussey) rode her and was delighted with her.”
Ryan Moore takes over in the saddle and she faces eight opponents over an extended mile and three furlongs.
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US Navy Flag bids for classic glory in French Guineas
11.05
Aidan O’Brien’s US Navy Flag is among a field of 11 declared for the Emirates Poule D’Essai Des Poulains, the French equivalent of the 2000 Guineas, at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.
Last year’s Dewhurst and Middle Park winner will attempt to redeem his reputation following a disappointing seasonal comeback on heavy ground at Leopardstown last month. He will be partnered by Ryan Moore who will also partner Could it be Love in the French 1000 Guineas
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Aidan triple Handed in Derrinstown
11.05
Aidan O’Brien is triple-handed as he bids to extend his tremendous record in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The Ballydoyle handler has saddled a record 11 winners of the Group Three contest, with subsequent Epsom Derby heroes Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002) among those on the roll of honour, as well as the four-times Gold Cup winner Yeats.
This year O’Brien is represented by Nelson, Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon, who finished first, second and third respectively in last month’s Ballysax Stakes over the same course and distance.
Dermot Weld has a pretty decent record in the Derrinstown himself having saddled eight previous winners and he relies on Hazapour, who makes his first appearance since October.
The Ger Lyons-trained Lethal Steps, Mick Halford’s Platinum Warrior, Jessica Harrington’s The King and Theobald from Jim Bolger’s yard complete the eight-strong field.
O’Brien fires two bullets at the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial, with the highly-rated Magical joined by stablemate Ballet Shoes.
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Classy Idaho back to winning ways in the Ormonde
It's a double on the day for Aidan O'Brien & Ryan Moore as Idaho bolts up at #Chester...
We are 4/1 from 7s for the Yorkshire Cup and 8/1 from 12s for the Ascot Gold Cup.#BoodlesMayFestbit.ly/2pujgZZ
"That's the type of horse he could be." - Aidan O'Brien advises The Coronation Cup is a likely target for @ChesterRaces Ormonde Stakes winner Idaho. #BoodlesMayFest
Results
Idaho has a host of big middle-distance options open to him after making the most of having his sights lowered for the Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes at Chester.
Following six consecutive appearances at Group One level, the Aidan O’Brien-trained five-year-old was back in Group Three company for the first time in two years on the Roodee and was the 8-11 favourite under Ryan Moore.
With the free-going Muntahaa making the running and Danehill Kodiac keeping him honest, Idaho was perfectly positioned in third for much of the way and got a dream run against the rail rounding the home turn.
His superior class was soon evident as he pulled three and a half lengths clear of Danehill Kodiac passing the post.
O’Brien said: “Everybody was very happy with him coming here and it was nice to see him do that.
“The plan was to come here and then look at races like the Coronation Cup and King George, those sort of races.
“Ryan has said he’d stay further, though, so that opens up even more options. He said he’d have no problem going further, so I suppose he could develop into a Cup horse.
“He’s travelled the world and is very professional now. You like to see them run through the line strong like he did there.”
Ladbrokes gave the winner a 10-1 quote for the Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 1.
Moore said: “He’s been a pretty consistent horse, really. He’s run in some of the best races and this was a slight drop down in class.
“This sort of ground and a slight step up in trip maybe suited him.
“I think he stays well.”
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Rostropovich in fine tune at Chester
It's a seventh win in the Dee Stakes @ChesterRaces for Aidan O'Brien as Rostropovich justifies favouritism under Ryan Moore. #BoodlesMayFest
Results
"We always thought that stepping up [in trip] would suit him." - Aidan O'Brien reflects on Rostropovich's win in the Dee Stakes @ChesterRaces and discusses where the three-year-old may run next. #BoodlesMayFest
Results
Rostropovich provided Aidan O'Brien with a fifth victory in the last seven renewals of the Homeserve Dee Stakes at Chester.
The Frankel colt was a Group Two winner as a juvenile after claiming victory in the Futurity Stakes and having shaped with promise when fourth on his reappearance in France last month, he was the 5/2 favourite for this Listed test.
Ryan Moore was content to bide his time while his stablemate Kenya and the Mark Johnston-trained King's Proctor battled for the lead for much of the extended 10-furlong journey.
King's Proctor lasted the longest of that pair, but was claimed on the home turn by both My Lord And Master on his outside and Rostropovich, who nipped up his inside in the hands of Ryan Moore.
It was soon clear Rostropovich had far too many guns for My Lord And Master and he swiftly kicked clear for a three-and-three-quarter-length success in this recognised trial for next month's Investec Derby.
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Kew Gardens & Flattering sent to Lingfield on Saturday
10/06
Aidan O'Brien relies upon Kew Gardens to provide him with a fifth victory in the Betfred Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday.
The Ballydoyle handler has claimed this Listed prize four times in the last 10 years and Kew Gardens appears to hold strong claims off the back of finishing third in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance.
O’Brien sends to the Betfred Mobile Oaks Trial. Flattering into battle just seven days after a 10-length romp in a Cork maiden, with Gosden represented by two-times winner Stream Song.
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A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses Updated
A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated
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Our fourth Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 14 Ballydoyle Residents in the ratings including Europe's top rated 2YO & 3YO
Huge thanks to Timeform - website
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Wand weaves her magic in Cheshire Oaks
Magic Wand lands the Cheshire Oaks @ChesterRaces and gives Aidan O'Brien a sixth win in the race in the past decade. She's now a general 14-1 for the Investec Oaks at Epsom. Enable did the double last year. #BoodlesMayFest
Bookmakers cut Magic Wand to 10/1 from 25/1 for the Investec Oaks after she made every yard of the running to claim a high-profile first success in the Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks at Chester.
One of three contenders for Aidan O'Brien, Magic Wand arrived a maiden after two runs but she benefited from an excellent pace-setting ride in the hands of Ryan Moore.
Smartly away on the rail, Moore made the most of his plum draw and could be called the winner at the top of the straight, winning by three and a half lengths as the 3-1 favourite.
O'Brien's second string Forever Together took the runner-up spot after suffering a troubled passed, with another Irish raider, Princess Yaiza, third for Gavin Cromwell.
Ryan Moore, “She was very smooth. Obviously she had the one stall and she got away well.
“She had a good look all the way round there. She was looking at a car in front of her – there’s a lot to look at here.
“She will carry on improving. This was a big step up from her last run and these fillies at this time of year should be improving and I’m sure she will.”
Kevin Buckley, Coolmore’s UK representative, said: “Obviously we’re very pleased with that, it was just her second run of the season and she’s improving all the time.
“She’s a big, scopey filly and will have learned a lot there. Ryan got a really good feel from her.
“As a half-sister to Chicquita (Irish Oaks winner), you’d think she’d have no problem staying further, so it bodes well for Epsom, trip-wise.
“That performance definitely puts her in the picture.”
Of the runner-up, Buckley said: “We were very pleased with her, that was just her first run of the year. She’s a sister to Together Forever (Group One winner) and you’d have to be happy.
“Donnacha (O’Brien) was very complimentary about her.”
Sky Racing PR Manager Michael Shinners said: "Magic Wand must have pushed herself up the Ballydoyle pecking order for Epsom after that. She always looked in control and is a filly on the upgrade. It will be interesting to see what else emerges in the trials over the next week or so."
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Idaho set for Ormonde spin
09.05
Idaho drops back to Group Three level for the first time in two years in an attempt to regain the winning thread in the Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes at Chester.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained five-year-old has contested Group One events on his last six starts, with his most recent victory coming in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last June.
He has upwards of 7lb in hand of each of his five rivals, with the Richard Hannon-trained Danehill Kodiac and John Gosden’s Muntahaa next best.
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Dee Stakes & Derrinstown Classic Trials Update
The Pentagon aiming to gain revenge on stable mate Nelson
09/05
Dee Stakes
Kenya and Rostropovich are Aidan O’Brien’s two representatives in the Dee Stakes at Chester on Thursday.
The Ballydoyle handler has saddled four of the last six winners of this Listed Derby trial.
No horse has managed to win this prize and follow up the Investec Derby since Sir Michael Stoute’s Kris Kin completed the double in 2003, although the O’Brien-trained Cliffs Of Moher came close last season, finding only stable companion Wings Of Eagles too strong in the premier Classic at Epsom.
Kenya won twice as a juvenile, including the Group Three Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown, and steps up in distance after finishing third behind fellow O’Brien inmate Gustav Klimt in a 2,000 Guineas Trial last month.
Stablemate Rostropovich claimed a Group Two success last term in the Futurity Stakes and travelled to France for his seasonal reappearance, placing fourth in the Prix de Fontainebleau at Longchamp.
Derrinstown Derby Trial
Leopardstown will stage its premier Classic trial fixture this Sunday with the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial attracting a dozen entries which include last month’s Ballysax Stakes winner, Nelson.
Nelson is set to spearhead Aidan O’Brien’s quest for a 12th victory in the prestigious 10-furlong trial, which he first won with Risk Material in 1998.
The Pentagon, who was third in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy behind Saxon Warrior last year, is another possible Ballydoyle representative and has been entered in the race alongside stable companions Delano Roosevelt, James Cook and Zabriskie.
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Ballydoyle entries Sunday Parislongchamp
Poules d'essai des pouliches - Could it be love
Poule d'essai des poulains - Bond Street - US Navy Flag
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Ballydoyle Chester Entries Thursday
Ormonde Stakes G3 - Idaho - Ryan
Dee Stakes (Listed) - Kenya - TBC - Rostropovich - TBC
Handicap - Christopher Robin - Ryan
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Ballydoyle Entries at the Curragh on Friday
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Cliffs of Moher became Galileo's 171st Individual Group Race Winner Yesterday
Leading Sires Tables GB & IRE Updated
A.P.O'Brien Career Stats updated
A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated
A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated
A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses In Training 2017 Updated
A.P.O'Brien Group Race History Honors Board Updated
British Trainers Championship Updated
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Aidan reveals that Could It Be Love and the dual Group 1 winner US Navy Flag are Likely Ballydoyle representatives in this weekend's French Guineas & Capri suffered a little setback after his last run and that his campaign could be geared towards the second half of the season + Flattering, an impressive maiden winner at Cork on Saturday, could turn out for the Oaks Trial at Lingfield on Saturday + Nelson, Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon are the trainer's likely contenders for Sunday's Derrinstown Derby Trial at Leopardstown + September could begin her season in the Epsom Oaks while Clemmie may well start back in the Irish 1000 Guineas
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Cliffs Of Moher back to winning ways in the Mooresbridge
Cliffs Of Moher came from last to first to land the feature at Naas this afternoon, the Group 2 Coolmore Camelot EBF Mooresbridge Stakes, providing Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore with a treble on the card.
Second in the Epsom Derby last year, the striking bay colt hadn't won since Chester last May, and was fifth of five to Capri on his comeback over the course and distance last month.
Sent off the 13/8 favourite this afternoon, the son of Galileo was settled in rear, as Success Days set a blistering pace.
The winner still had plenty to do in sixth as they entered the straight, however he gradually closed on the leaders from the three furlong pole, and was pushed to the front inside the final 100 yards, keeping on well from there to score by a length and three parts.
The front-running Success Days (8/1) just held on for second under Shane Foley for Ken Condon, with Yucatan a head back in third.
O’Brien, who was on the mark earlier with Fairyland and Van Beethoven, said: "He relaxed lovely and came home well. He has an option of either the Coronation Cup or the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He's a good horse and was just beaten in an Epsom Derby."
Cliffs Of Moher comes with a late surge under Ryan Moore to land the Coolmore Camelot @IrishEBF_ Mooresbridge Stakes at @NaasRacecourse:
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Kew Gardens & Nelson given Lingfield Derby Trial option
Ballysax Stakes winner Nelson is one of three contenders for Aidan O’Brien in the Betfred Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday.
The Ballydoyle handler has claimed this Listed prize four times in the last 10 years and looks set to launch another strong bid.
Nelson, who is a son of Frankel, narrowly outpointed stablemate Delano Roosevelt at Leopardstown last month and both horses are in the mix to run at Lingfield.
The other O’Brien-trained entrant is Kew Gardens, who was third in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance.
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Van Beethoven Ascot Bound after Naas victory
©Healy Racing Photos
Royal @Ascot bound? Scat Daddy colt Van Beethoven sheds his maiden tag in style for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien at @NaasRacecourse:
Van Beethoven earned quotes for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot next month after justifying odds-on favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Naas.
The Scat Daddy colt was slowly away on debut when third at Newmarket but made all here, and asserted decisively inside the final furlong under Ryan Moore to beat California Daddy by three and a half lengths.
The winner’s stable-companion North Wind was just a head further back in third.
Aidan O’Brien was completing a quick double on the card and said, “He is still very green but I’m delighted and he won well in the end. He will have learnt a bit there and we’ll try and get another run into him before Royal Ascot. He’s a fast horse.”
Paddy Power introduced the winner at 12/1 for the Coventry Stakes, while Boylesports were even more impressed and quote him at 10/1.
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Fairyland too good on debut
©Healy Racing Photos
A potential star - Fairyland, a 925,000gns filly from the family of Dream Ahead makes a big impression on debut for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore at @NaasRacecourse:
Fairyland put in an impressive performance on debut to take the opener at Naas this afternoon, the Coolmore No Nay Never Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.
A 925,000 guineas purchase as a yearling, the daughter of Kodaic proved easy to back, and from an early show of 2/1, she drifted from 3s to 7/2 on-course.
Prominent throughout under Ryan Moore, she was pushed along to lead over a furlong out, and kept on well under pressure inside the final furlong to score by a length and three parts.
Mintd (7/2 out to 9/2 on-course) finished second under Billy Lee for Willie McCreery, while Coral Beach (10s to 8s) ran an eye-catching race in third, another half a length back.
Moravia (from 12s this morning) and Mater Matuta were the 3/1 joint-favourites, and they finished fourth and seventh respectively.
O'Brien said afterwards: "She is a lovely filly. She is a lovely, straight-forward filly at home and I couldn't be happier really.
"She obviously wasn't away and wasn’t on grass before. Some of them are very quick learners and some of them take a run, but Ryan was delighted with her really.
"Herself and Seamus' filly (Coral Beach) were working very similarly. Seamus' filly was a little bit greener during the race, and she'll go back to a maiden I'd imagine. The winner will have another run before the Queen Mary.
"Coral Beach works very pacey at home but she is a little bit spooky, and I wasn't really surprised the way she was today. She came out and jinked left, something frightening her. She had a lovely run though and we look forward her the next time.”
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Ballydoyle Chester Classic Trials plans revealed
The Unbeaten Family Tree to run in Chester Vase
07.05
Aidan O’Brien is triple-handed as he bids to continue his remarkable record in the Centennial Celebration – MBNA Chester Vase on Wednesday.
The Ballydoyle maestro has saddled a record eight previous winners of the Group Three contest including each of the last five.
The O’Brien-trained Ruler Of The World claimed victory in 2013 en-route to winning the Investec Derby, while Wings Of Eagles was beaten into second by stablemate Venice Beach 12 months ago before going one better at Epsom the following month.
This year O’Brien saddles the once-raced Gowran maiden winner Family Tree, Flag Of Honour, who finished third in a Group Three in France last month, and Hunting Horn, who was third in the Sandown Classic Trial less than a fortnight ago.
O’Brien saddles three in the Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks, a race he has won five times in the last 10 years.
Dramatically steps up in trip after finishing down the field in the Nell Gwyn at Newmarket last month and is joined by stable companions Forever Together and Magic Wand.
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Triple Crown attempt on the Cards for Saxon Warrior
07.05
Aidan O'Brien has raised the possibility of Saxon Warrior being aimed at the Triple Crown.
An impressive winner of the 2000 Guineas, he will now head to the Investec Derby next month.
If all goes well there it will be off to Doncaster for the oldest Classic of them all, the St Leger, in a quest the Coolmore team so very nearly achieved with Camelot in 2012.
O'Brien watched the race on a computer in a hotel room in America as he was with Mendelssohn in his failed bid in the Kentucky Derby.
"We were watching it from afar but it was unbelievable," O'Brien told ITV Racing.
"Donnacha (O’Brien) has ridden him in all his work so he knew what he was able to do. He knew the horse better than I did.
"The lads (owners) always had it in their heads he would go for the Guineas and Derby. Donnacha was very happy, too, so I think that is what everybody is thinking next.
"The Triple Crown has to be on our minds, if he wins the Derby that would be the obvious thing to do but I haven’t been told yet."
O’Brien confirmed that Ryan Moore would be back on board at Epsom in his role as number one rider.
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A.P.O'Brien Career Stats updated
A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated
A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated
A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses In Training 2017 Updated
A.P.O'Brien G1 Wins By Nations Updated
A.P.O'Brien European Classics Honours Board Updated
A.P.O'Brien Group Race History Honors Board Updated
A.P.O'Brien English classic Victories Updated
Ballydoyle Classic Wins Updated
All Time Leading Trainers In English Classics Updated
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Mendelssohn's bold Kentucky Derby bid fails as Justify shines in the rain at Churchill Downs
Mendelssohn failed in his bid to land the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby finishing last of the runners with Justify powering to victory at a rain-lashed Churchill Downs.
Much had been expected of the Aidan O’Brien-trained Mendelssohn in the wake of his sensational victory in the UAE Derby at Meydan, but he was done no favours when knocked sideways on leaving stall 14 and the writing was on the wall from some way out.
As Ryan Moore pushed in vain approaching the home turn, up front the favourite Justify kicked off the bend and Bob Baffert’s charge – who was unraced as a two-year-old – never looked like being caught.
Good Magic gave chase to the Mike Smith-ridden winner but to no avail, with Audible in third.
When his chance had gone, Moore allowed Mendelssohn to come home in his own time, eventually finishing last.
Winning the race for the fifth time, Baffert told NBC Sports: “When he got away clean, I felt we had a chance. I knew there was going to be a hot pace, but he was doing it easily.
“Him and American Pharoah and Arrogate – these horses are cut from a different cloth. They are so great and it took a great horse to do what he did today.
“I rank him up there with my top ones. When he broke his maiden, we knew we had something special.
“I’m glad it’s over. This track really had me worried, I was nervous all day.”
Mendelssohn’s eclipse means the wait for a European-trained winner of the ‘Run for the Roses’ goes on, with the second place achieved by Clive Brittain’s Bold Arrangement in 1986 remaining the best finish to date.
Saxon Warrior shows he still has the gears for a mile as the Racing Post Trophy winner makes it Guineas No.9 for Aidan O’Brien.
Japanese sire Deep Impact on the #2000Guineas roll of honour!
Saxon Warrior stormed home in the Newmarket sunshine to provide Aidan O'Brien with a ninth QIPCO 2000 Guineas victory. Picture from Clare Breadin
Sent off a 3/1 shot under the trainer's son Donnacha O'Brien - the jockey following his brother Joseph's footsteps in claiming a Classic success as a teenager - last year's Racing Post Trophy winner burst through with a couple of furlongs to go and stayed on to score by a length and a half.
Tip Two Win ran a massive race in second at 50/1, while the well-backed 5/2 favourite Masar could not build on the promise of his wide-margin Craven win and had to settle for third under William Buick.
It was a 300th Group One success for Aidan O'Brien, who was not on hand to see his son win the Guineas, with the trainer currently overseeing Mendelssohn's preparations ahead of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Saxon Warrior's stable companion Murillo cut out the running down the centre of the track and he was followed by Elarqam, with Cardsharp left out on his own towards the far side.
Masar and Roaring Lion were prominent nearer the stands' side but as the race unfolded it was clear the giant Saxon Warrior was travelling within himself in behind the leaders and he cruised past Elarqam as they moved into the Dip.
The race was effectively over at the furlong marker and although the Roger Teal-trained outsider Tip Two Win battled bravely to repel the rest of the field, the winner was simply too good.
Mark Johnston's Elarqam, who got a little upset in the stalls, stuck to his task willingly after coming under pressure and finished half a length outside of the places in fourth, with Roaring Lion leaving his poor comeback run well behind with a creditable fifth under Oisin Murphy down on the rails.
The easy-to-back Gustav Klimt, winner of the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown last month, finished another length and a quarter further back in sixth while Greenham winner James Garfield was best of the rest.
Donnacha O'Brien told ITV Racing: "A huge thanks to all the owners for giving me the chance to ride him and especially to dad for the faith in putting me on him in the first place. It's very special. Obviously, I'm winning this race and riding in big races because of the position I'm in. I'm just very grateful.
"He's a very good horse, he's a proper horse."
Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick, said: "It was really eyecatching, Donnacha couldn't speak too highly of him. He said when he quickened it was all over in a flash.
"He probably got there sooner than he wanted to, but he had so much horse under him. It's very exciting when they have that speed and look like they'll get further. All things point to June (Derby) now. That's 300 Group Ones wins for Aidan and Donnacha's first Classic. They are an incredible family."
Sky Bet reacted by making Saxon Warrior an even-money chance to extend his unbeaten record in the Investec Derby, while the son of Deep Impact is currently 8/1 for the St Leger at Doncaster in the middle of September.
Sky Bet's Michael Shinners commented: "Saxon Warrior was incredibly impressive and is clearly the one to beat in the Investec Derby.
"His pedigree suggests that he will have no problems getting middle-distance trips and he is now even money from 3/1 for Epsom’s showpiece."
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Flattering & @hussey_mick enter the winners enclosure on what will hopefully be a successful 24 hours for Trainer Aidan O’Brien @Ballydoyle
©Healy Racing Photos
Flattering streaked clear in the closing stages to record an impressive success in the ten furlong fillies maiden at Cork.
The 14/1 shot had been well held on her sole start at the Curragh last season but left that form well behind on her reappearance.
Mick Hussey sent his mount to the front two furlongs from home and she sprinted clear going to the furlong marker.
The daughter of Galileo, who holds an Oaks entry, went on to record a ten length victory over Samasthiti.
The winner, a half-sister to Group Two winner Lucky Kristale, was the outsider of the three Ballydoyle fillies in the race.
Hussey said afterwards:- "She was green early and got her action together and when I asked her to go she found plenty.
"She was very green early so was impressive in the end and once she kept going she kept plugging away. She'll step up into the next group now."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
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.@lachiejamesking plots a course along the fence aboard Sherlock Holmes to claim a dramatic Race 2.
FLEMINGTON: bit.ly/2HPsewb
Lloyd Williams didn't need any added significance for Sherlock Holmes' win at Flemington on Saturday to have special meaning.
The promising import not only returned to his best but did so in the $120,000 Living Legend Efficient Handicap, a race named after the Hall of Fame owner's 2007 Melbourne Cup winner.
But the importance of the win ran even deeper than that, given Sherlock Holmes was ridden to victory by Lachlan King.
It was the first win at Flemington for the 19-year-old, who is the son of former star jockey Steven King, whose association with the Williams family runs back decades.
King Snr's first winner was for Williams, at Sandown on a horse called Zone, and, having continued to ride for Williams until his retirement in December 2016, he now works at Williams' Macedon Lodge base.
"Mr Williams actually said to me prior to the race that Dad got his first winner in these colours," King said.
"I've only been riding in town a short period, so to get a chance like this and obviously be able to repay the faith in these colours is an excellent way to kick it off.
"I really appreciate the ride. The whole Williams family, Liam (Howley, trainer) and the whole team up at Macedon Lodge and Dad's really helped. We talked through the form pretty intensely last night."
King Jnr got the best out of the Galileo six-year-old, who was beaten as favourite at his previous two starts.
The race was upset early when Sin To Win dislodged rider Cory Parish - who walked from the track but was transported to hospital for observation after complaining of lower back pain - and raced on towards the head of the field.
But King kept his cool and guided the $4.80 joint second elect to a one-length win over Charlevoix ($9), with Sly Romance ($31) a half-length back third.
"I was very confident coming to the bend," he said. "Liam actually rang me during the week and said, 'Just make sure that last furlong is your best' and he was just travelling too well.
"I just wanted to get him cuddled up as long as I could, it was good that I could get out when I could, and he hit the line really well."
Williams' son and part-owner Nick Williams said King displayed maturity beyond his years.
"He couldn't have ridden it any better," he said. "It was a very messy race with the loose horse there.
"It was great to see a King riding a winner at Flemington."
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Watch Mendelssohn at Churchill Downs followed by full in depth interview with Aidan
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Ballydoyle unleash Quartet in 1000 Guineas
04.05
Ante-post favourite Happily is one of 15 fillies declared for the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday.
Aidan O’Brien's charge was a dual Group One-winning juvenile, landing the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh before beating the boys in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Chantilly.
She disappointed at the Breeders’ Cup on her final start of 2017, but heads the market as O’Brien bids to claim the first fillies’ Classic of the year for the third successive season — and a fifth time overall.
The Ballydoyle handler also saddles the well-fancied I Can Fly, Sarrocchi and Sizzling.
Ballydoyle Runners & Riders 1000 Guineas Newmarket Sunday
Happily - Ryan
I Can Fly - Heff
Sarrochi - Wayne
Sizzling - Donncha
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5 Videos of the Ballydoyle Quartet working at Churchill
Downs this morning
Kentucky Derby & Undercard GMT Race Times
Race 9 - 8:37pm - American Turf (G2) - Threeandfourpence
Race 10 - 9:38pm - Pat Day Mile (G3) - Seahenge
Race 11 - 10:25pm - Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) - Deauville
Race 12 - 11:50pm - 144th Kentucky Derby (G1) - Mendelssohn
just letting everyone know that he has arrived please take note
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AIdan relies on Gustav & Saxon in 9th Guineas Victory bid
02/05
Aidan O’Brien runs Gustav Klimt, Saxon Warrior and Murillo among a field of 14 as he goes in search of a ninth win in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.
The Ballydoyle handler has, however, decided not to send Dewhurst and Middle Park winner US Navy Flag.
He still holds an extremely strong hand as Gustav Klimt, a Group Two scorer last year, has already shown his well-being when winning a trial at Leopardstown. Saxon Warrior landed the Racing Post Trophy last season.
Even O’Brien’s perceived outsider of the three, Murillo, was only beaten half a length in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
2000 Guineas Jockey Bookings
Gustav Klimt - Heff - Saxon Warrior - Don - Murillo - Wayne
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Monday Naas Mission for Yucatan
02/05
Yucatan will run in the Coolmore Camelot Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at Naas on Monday.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old showed top-class form as a two-year-old but his Classic campaign was interrupted by injury.
He returned to action behind stablemate Capri, whom he pushed close as a juvenile, in the Alleged Stakes at Naas last month.
And while he only finished fourth of five he is expected to step up considerably on what was his first outing for almost a year.
“He’ll come on a good deal for that,” said Alan Cooper, racing manager for the Niarchos family, who own Yucatan together with Coolmore partners John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.
“I think the plan at the moment is to go for the Mooresbridge Stakes. The last time I spoke to Aidan, that was the plan.”
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Bond Street Breaks maiden tag at Dundalk
©Healy Racing Photos
The useful Bond Street gets his first victory at @DundalkStadium a shade cosily under Seamie Heffernan...
"That's my first winner for Aidan (O'Brien) this season and that'll get me ready for the weekend!" said Seamie Heffernan after he landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden (Plus 10 Race) at Dundalk on Bond Street.
Heffernan could be on Gustav Klimt for Ballydoyle in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday and here he got the experienced Bond Street home by a length and three parts from Rapture's Delight.
O'Brien's son Joseph has care of Rapture's Delight for Sun Bloodstock and he'd gotten rid of jockey Donnacha O'Brien before the start. The grey went on to make an encouraging start to his career.
Joseph O'Brien also supplied the fourth across the line, Rockabill.
"He was the highest rated horse in the race and whatever was going to beat him had to run to a mark of 90," further reflected Heffernan.
(GC & EM)
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A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated
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Our third Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 18 Ballydoyle Residents in the ratings including Europe's top rated 2YO.
Huge thanks to Timeform - website
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At the moment looks like Heff will be on Gustav Klimt & Don on Saxon Warrior in the 2000 Guineas on Saturday rest of the bookings to be decided
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Weekend home entries for Ballydoyle at Cork & Dundalk
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Leading Sires Tables GB & IRE updated - Galileo Temporarily drops out of the top 10 No Nay Never Camelot Declaration Of War & Excelebration all remain in top 10s
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A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses Updated
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Aidan O'Brien Guineas interview Video
When Aidan O'Brien talks, you listen!
The @Ballydoyle trainer chats through his leading QIPCO 2000 & 1000 Guineas contenders!
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Mendy & Co settle in well at Churchill Downs
May 2nd
Aidan O’Brien’s Churchill Downs team — spearheaded by Mendelssohn — is reported in top trim following a protracted journey to America.
The Ballydoyle runners experienced a 125-mile diversion to Indianapolis but arrived in Kentucky on Monday night and have taken the exertions within their stride.
O’Brien’s travelling head lad Pat Keating told the USA Media “Everything is fine and they settled in great. We couldn’t be happier with them.”
Leading Kentucky Derby fancy Mendelssohn is O’Brien’s big hope, but stablemates Deauville, Seahenge and Threeandfourpence also run on the same card.
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Decent Draw in Kentucky Derby for Mendelssohn
Mendelssohn will break from stall 14 in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the son of Scat Daddy was a brilliant winner of the UAE Derby at Meydan in March.
He will bid to become the first European-trained horse in history to win the ‘Run for the Roses’, with Ryan Moore travelling for the mount instead of riding in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on the same day.
Mendelssohn disputes favouritism with the Bob Baffert-trained Justify, who is well drawn in stall seven.
Other leading contenders include Audible (stall five), Magnum Moon (16), Bolt D’Oro (11) and Good Magic (six).
Outsider Firenze Fire is in stall one and Combatant is widest of all in stall 20.
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