Many Congratulations to Galileo who has won a host of Sires titles in 2017. In a league of his own.

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Leading Sires Tables Updated - (1) Leading Flat Sires GB&IRE (2) Leading 1st Season Sires GB&IRE (3) Leading Second Season Sires Europe





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Highland Reel given a great draw for his swansong 


31.10

An all-the-way winner under Seamie Heffernan 12 months ago, Ryan Moore is in the saddle this time, with Heffernan on Seventh Heaven in stall nine and Wayne Lordan on Cliffs Of Moher in six.

Irish Champion Stakes hero Decorated Knight is next to Highland Reel in stall four, and Eclipse and Juddmonte International winner Ulysses is in five under Frankie Dettori.

Aidan O'Brien's Dewhurst and Middle Park winner U S Navy Flag is in stall one for his debut on dirt in the Juvenile, while in the Mile, Roly Poly will need to overcome stall 12, with Lancaster Bomber in four.

In the Filly & Mare Turf, Rhododendron will need to overcome the widest draw in 14 if she is to add to her win in the Prix de l'Opera.

Washington DC will leave from stall five taking on Lady Aurelia (three) and Marsha (six) in the Turf Sprint.

Dual Group One winner Happily is in stall two for the Juvenile Fillies Turf along with September in 10, while Mendelssohn is in one for the Juvenile Turf, with Gordon Elliott's Beckford in five.



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Churchill's future stud fee may depend on how he runs in the BC Classic

31.10

Del Mar is a first-time Breeders Cup host venue later this week and Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore Stud team are likely to be keeping their fingers crossed the new location provides a change of luck in the $6 Million Classic.

The Breeders Cup climax has become something of an elusive holy grail for Coolmore who for 17 years have thrown some of Ballydoyle’s finest turf stars at US dirt racing’s most valuable prize only to come up short every time.

Giants Causeway was the first of O’Brien’s 14 runners in the race and he’s still the one to get closest to successfully making the surface crossover, failing narrowly to Tiznow in a memorable finish in the year 2000 at Churchill Downs.

Eight years later Henrythenavigator was also runner-up at Santa Anita when the Classic was run on a synthetic surface. Declaration Of War was third at the same track in 2013 after it had reverted back to dirt.

Even Coolmore’s legendary stallion Galileo is among a lengthy list of other O’Brien stars that have also come up short in the Classic.

Nevertheless his son Churchill appears set to try and change Ballydoyle’s luck against the top American dirt horses on Saturday night and there will be plenty riding on his capacity to succeed where others have failed.

It was confirmed on Monday the dual 2,000 Guineas winner will retire to stud for 2018 although the phrase ‘To Be Announced’ features next to his name on Coolmore’s new stallion roster rather than a fee.

Holding fire

A Breeders Cup Classic success would take Churchill’s value to another level again so holding fire on naming a fee is little surprise.

In contrast, Churchill’s stable companion Caravaggio is also new for 2018 with the son of Scat Daddy already handed a fee of €35,000. Coolmore’s third new addition for next year is Highland Reel and his price is ‘To Be Announced’ given he defends his Breeders Cup Turf crown on Saturday.

The fee for the pre-potent daddy of the lot, Galileo, remains resolutely ‘Private’ on a roster of 23 flat stallions that also includes Fastnet Rock at €70,000 and Gleneagles who is the next most costly at a fee of €40,000.

Gleneagles was the last of O’Brien’s 14 runners in the Breeders Cup Classic but that son of Galileo finished almost tailed off behind American Pharoah in 2015.

Churchill is a general 14-1 shot to crack the Classic code for Ballydoyle this time and could be joined by the 33-1 outsider War Decree in a race which appears to be dominated by the US dirt stars, Gun Runner and Arrogate.

However O’Brien is just 11-8 with one firm to saddle at least one winner at the Breeders Cup which kicks off on Friday night with four Grade One races.

Ireland’s record-breaking champion trainer has won 11 previous Breeders Cup races from 110 runners since first being represented at American racing’s shop-window event in 1998.



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Churchill & War Decree's BC draw


31.10

Churchill will break from stall seven and War Decree stall two as they attempt to provide Aidan O'Brien with a first Breeders' Cup Classic.

The master of Ballydoyle has come close a few times to claiming the prize, most notably with Giant's Causeway, who was narrowly beaten by Tiznow in 2000.

Having broken the world record for the number of top-level wins in a year at Doncaster on Saturday, nobody would be in a rush to write off his chances in the big race at Del Mar on Saturday.

Churchill won the English and Irish Guineas earlier in the season but has been without a victory since the Curragh in May.

War Decree has had a lighter campaign, finishing fifth in the French Derby and then bolting up in a Group Three at Dundalk.



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Many Congratulations to Galileo who has won a host of Sires titles in 2017. In a league of his own.

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Leading Sires Tables Updated - (1) Leading Flat Sires GB&IRE (2) Leading 1st Season Sires GB&IRE (3) Leading Second Season Sires Europe


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A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated 

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

A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated
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A.P.O'Brien Flat G1 Victories by Nations

A.P.O'Brien Career Stats Updated - Aidan is now a dual World record Breaker





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Flag of Honour flies at Leopardstown 


©Healy Racing Photos

Derby winning jockey Padraig Beggy has ‘endured’ a frustrating 146-day losing run since his Epsom heroics on Wings Of Eagle but bounced back with another big race winner at Leopardstown today in the final Group race of the year, the Group 3 TheTote.com Eyrefield Stakes, on record-breaking trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Flag Of Honour.

Trainer O’Brien had earlier broken Bobby Frankel’s record of 25 Group 1 wins in a year with Saxon Warrior’s top level win in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster and while Beggy had failed to win in 32 rides since his Epsom Derby win, today steered 98 rated Flag Of Honour to a length and a half success over stablemate Giuseppe Garibaldi.

The win was just Beggy’s third of the year, with his first success gained in a Group 3 success on Hydrangea, who along with Wings Of Eagles, also later added a Group 1 win to the list of the Ballydoyle maestro’s top level wins.

Ballydoyle work-rider Beggy, who has indicated his willingness to take outside rides, today stated “I ride him (Flag Of Honour) out and he's a nice colt. I thought he won very impressively with Seamie (Heffernan) at Naas and there were one or two little things at Newmarket and maybe the ground was against him.”

He added “Aidan (O’Brien) brought him here today and I was delighted to get the ride on him - it’s a big thanks to Aidan for it.

“It's a great achievement by Aidan to do that (gain a 26th Group 1 win) in a year and wiith a bit of luck might have one or two more still to come.

“I'm part of it with Wing Of Eagles obviously and I've lost count (how many times I've watched the Derby); it's still saved on the tv ‘Planner’!

“Racing, especially in Ireland is a tough, tough game and you just take what you get. Working down in Ballydoyle, whatever comes you're way you grab it.”

Quotes from Gary Carson




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Late Warrior charge delivers Aidan New World Record

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Aidan O'Brien saddled his 26th Group One winner of 2017 - beating the record of the great Bobby Frankel - as Saxon Warrior took the Racing Post Trophy.

Sent off 13/8 favourite, the son of Deep Impact appeared to be in full control he cruised to the front two from home, but then looked in trouble as Roaring Lion burst from the pack to take over and briefly move a length clear.

With Ryan Moore in full flight, Saxon Warrior dug deep to stay on again and reel in the John Gosden-trained runner-up with the line approaching, sealing O'Brien's 26th and perhaps most dramatic top-level success of another phenomenal season.

The winner's stablemate, The Pentagon, was third.

O'Brien surpassed the record for number of top-level wins in a calendar year set by American trainer Frankel in 2003.

He told ITV Racing: "I'm delighted and delighted for everybody. There's a lot of hard work put in by a lot of people in Ballydoyle and Coolmore.

"It's unbelievable really. There are so many people who put in so much hard work day in, day out. If I start mentioning people, I'd forget somebody. They know who they are.

"It's a privilege to be working with such special people. We're in a very lucky position and we're a small link in a big chain."

Of Saxon Warrior, the trainer added: "He travelled very strong and Ryan gave him a brilliant ride.

"When John's horse went by him you thought he was beaten, but he found plenty and we're delighted."

Sky Bet make Saxon Warrior their 5/1 favourite for the Investec Derby, while he's 9/1 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas in May.

Spokesman Michael Shinners said: "What a dramatic way to seal the record and the way they work at Ballydoyle, you'd think the aim for next year will be to beat whatever figure they end 2017 on!

"Saxon Warrior looks a prime candidate to help with that quest but we rate him more a Derby than a Guineas type - although who's to say he can't win both?"









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Sarrocchi shines on Leopardstown Debut 

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The Aidan O’Brien trained Sarrocchi has had an extraordinary week, and five days after topping a Horses-In-Training Sale at Goffs, today landed a sizeable gamble on debut in the opening Tote Irish EBF (Fillies) Maiden at Leopardstown today, to provide her jockey Michael Hussey with a first winner this season.


The daughter of Galileo went through the Sales ring at Goffs for E215,000 on Tuesday, having been previously registered in the ownership of China Horse Club International Ltd, but today scored in the colours of Mrs John Magnier and Mrs E. Irwin.


Racing from stall 16, the juvenile daughter of Galileo raced in mid-division and had plenty on her plate with two furlongs to race. However she picked up strongly when Hussey asked for maximum effort in the closing stages and in the end reeled in New To Town close home, to score by a length and a quarter.


In the betting market, there were initially no takers at 10/1 last night and early this morning about Ballydoyle newcomer Sarrocchi winning, but at approximately 11am her price was gradually cut. She opened up a 6/1 chance on track, and was eventually returned the heavily supported 7/2 favourite.


O’Brien can today enter the history books with a 26th Group 1 winner of the year at Doncaster and after Sarrocchi’s win, jockey Hussey, who won the Listed King George V Cup last year for the trainer with The Major General, stated “she's (Sarrocchi) a nice filly and did it the hard way, as she was as green as grass early. When she got going she got going well.


“She's been doing things right at home and as usual ours take a run but she got it right.


“She should be a mile plus filly next year.”


Quotes from Gary Carson




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Ryan on Saxon Warrior's chances


27.10

Ryan Moore believes Saxon Warrior has an "exciting future" ahead of riding him in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday.

Moore teams up with the unbeaten son of Deep Impact, who is one of four horses trainer Aidan O'Brien saddles in Britain's last top-level race of 2017 as the Ballydoyle handler bids to break the world record for the number of Group One winners in a year.

O'Brien equalled the late Bobby Frankel's best of 25 when Moore won on Hydrangea on Champions Day at Ascot last weekend and the jockey rates the chances of his mount, who is joint-favourite for the Investec Derby with another O'Brien contender, The Pentagon.

"He's a really nice colt. He was very impressive on debut and he won well at Naas. The fourth and fifth have both come out and won Listed contests since, so the form is very good," Moore told At The Races.

"I think he's a lovely colt and hopefully he's got an exciting future. It's a good race, but I'm sure he'll run well."

Asked about O'Brien's record attempt, Moore said: "The important (thing) is winning the race."

O'Brien said: "Saxon Warrior seems to be in good form since Naas. Hopefully the ground will be nice there.

"The Pentagon has had a bit of a break since his run the last time in the Tyros. He seems to be in good form and is just ready to start back."

Joining Saxon Warrior and The Pentagon are Seahenge, who won the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster's St Leger meeting and was third in the Dewhurst, and Coat Of Arms.

O'Brien added: "Obviously he (Seahenge) only ran (recently) in the Dewhurst, but he seems to be in good form since.

"Coat Of Arms is in good form. He had a good run when second in the Futurity and is stepping up to a mile now."

Despite the two Ballydoyle youngsters heading the market for next year's Classic, there is a runner in the race who has achieved more on the track this year in the shape of Jim Bolger's Verbal Dexterity.

He has a Group One win to his name in the National Stakes but was supposed to be in the Dewhurst, only to be ruled out with a dirty scope.

"I'm very much looking forward to it," said Bolger. "Obviously he couldn't run in the Dewhurst because his scope wasn't 100 per cent, but he's ready again now. The ground looks like being good so there's no problems on that score.

"Hopefully he'll win again, we'll give it our best shot."




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Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News 2017




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Ballydoyle Breeders Cup Pre Entries Squad 2017 







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Saxon Warrior leading Racing Post Trophy charge for Aidan



25.10

Ryan Moore looks set to ride Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy as Aidan O'Brien's plans take shape for the Group One contest at Doncaster on Saturday.

Saxon Warrior is vying for Investec Derby favouritism with stablemate The Pentagon, who is also in line to represent O'Brien on Town Moor, together with Dewhurst Stakes third Seahenge.

O'Brien is seeking a record-breaking 26th Group One winner of the year, having equalled Bobby Frankel's mark with Hydrangea at Ascot last weekend, and the Ballydoyle handler said: "I suppose it depends on the ground, but it looks like it is going to be nice. I suppose The Pentagon, Saxon Warrior, Seahenge - that is what we are thinking at the moment, and maybe Coat Of Arms."

He added: "Obviously that is not written in stone until the morning. I suppose Saxon Warrior has the most recent form and if that is the case then I would imagine Seamus (Heffernan) would ride The Pentagon and Donnacha (O'Brien) might stay on his horse from the Dewhurst (Seahenge).

"Things can change, but that is what is likely to happen, but I've not spoken to Ryan or anyone yet."





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Aidan sends his biggest squad to the Breeders Cup


25.10


Not since 30 European horses were pre-entered in 2009 has there been such a swell of support for the American event that was inaugurated in 1984, and Aidan O’Brien could well travel to California with numerically his strongest squad, too.

The Ballydoyle handler has entered 14 runners, and following on from what is almost certainly going to be a world record season with 25 Group One victories so far his Californian adventure could well be his boldest yet.

Dual Guineas winner Churchill appears likely to switch surfaces after his third to Persuasive in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Saturday.

In tandem with War Decree, the lightly-raced son of US sire War Front, Churchill could be dispatched to avenge the narrow defeats of former stable companions Giant’s Causeway and Declaration Of War in the Classic on dirt.

The $US5million showpiece is both horses’ first preference ahead of the Mile and Dirt Mile respectively, and should they experience dirt for the first time they will clash with Arrogate, the world’s highest-rated horse, and Gun Runner, the 7-4 favourite.

“There’s a big chance he [Churchill] will go for the Classic, he seems to have come out of Ascot very well,” O’Brien told a Breeders’ Cup news conference on Wednesday.

 “He jumped smartly at Ascot and got into a lovely rhythm, he just got a bit tightened inside the two and then again got another squeeze just after, it just stopped him a bit.

“He seems to have come out of the race very well and we are looking forward to see what is going to happen.”

Qipco 2000 Guineas favourite U S Navy Flag, already a rare commodity as a winner of the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes, could also switch surfaces as a son of War Front and participate in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, while the more inexperienced Mendelssohn is more likely to be restricted to the Juvenile Turf. Currently, however, Mendelssohn’s first preference is the Juvenile, with US Navy’s Flag’s being the Juvenile Turf.

“I’m not sure which one goes in which yet but Mendelssohn and U S Navy Flag are in both the Turf and the Dirt,” O’Brien confirmed.

 “Obviously U S Navy Flag could have the option of either, he could go on the dirt and the lads [Coolmore syndicate] will probably decide a bit later about that.

“Mendelssohn wouldn’t have as much experience and for that reason will probably stick to the grass, they will probably go separate ways but I’m not sure which way yet.”

On Wednesday afternoon U S Navy Flag was not in the Juvenile betting, but was the 3-1 favourite for the Juvenile Turf. Mendelssohn was 12-1 with Paddy Power for the Juvenile Turf.

Grand servant Highland Reel is in line to follow in the hoofprints of Conduit in an attempt to become a dual winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf after his fine third in the Champion Stakes on Saturday on unsuitably soft ground. It was his first run since the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July and he is a general 2-1 to get the better of fellow raider Ulysses, who he beat in to fourth last year.

Stakhanovite filly Roly Poly will be given another opportunity of running and most likely in the Breeders’ Cup Mile with stablemate Rhododendron engaged in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare, run this year over nine furlongs.

Happily and September are in line for a tilt at the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf and O'Brien confirmed that his horses will run on Lasix, the diuretic that has performance-enhancing qualities and is allowed on raceday in America.

“Highland Reel seems to be well and we are looking forward to him, he should get some nice ground,” O’Brien added.

“To be fair to him, he had to run and Ryan [Moore] tried to mind him as much as he could, I don’t think he asked him too much I don’t think Ryan even gave him a tap, but it was lovely to get the run into him really.”


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Aidan's Hong Kong Options in World Record quest


25.10
Aidan O'Brien could send several horse to Hong Kong in a bid to Break the World Record. 

Ballydoyle trained horses feature among the nominations for the international races which take place at Sha Tin racecourse on Sunday 10th December.

Aidan has four possible contenders for the Longines Hong Kong Vase Cliffs Of Moher, Idaho, Seventh Heaven and 2015 race winner Highland Reel.

Intelligence Cross and Washington DC.are also entered in the Hong Kong Sprint

Roly Poly & Lancaster Bomber are entered in the Hong Kong Mile. 



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Ballydoyle Filly tops Goffs horses in training sale


25/10

Sarrocchi a Ballydoyle 2 year old daughter of Galileo tops Goffs Horses in Training sale selling to Fozzy Stack for €215,000. 

The unraced juvenile is out of the French stakes winner and Group 2-placed Thai Haku. 

Sarrocchi was only recently named and added to our Ballydoyle 2YO lists we wish her the best of luck with her new trainer.




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Johannes Vermeer looms as Aidan O’Brien’s best chance at winning a Melbourne Cup


24.10
Irish stayer Johannes Vermeer is the archetypal Melbourne Cup contender and is shaping as trainer Aidan O’Brien’s best chance yet to finally win the famous Flemington two-miler.

Johannes Vermeer ran a luckless third to Boom Time in the Caulfield Cup last Saturday but has come through the race in such good order, it has boosted the confidence of the O’Brien stable two weeks out from the big race.

O’Brien’s stable representative TJ Comerford confirmed Johannes Vermeer won’t race again before the Melbourne Cup while dismissing any stamina concerns about the four-year-old at 3200m for the first time.

“I don’t see it (3200m) being a problem,’’ Comerford said at Werribee trackwork yesterday.

“He seems to stay well, he is a strong finisher and has plenty of speed. He has everything you want for a Melbourne Cup horse.’’ Johannes Vermeer worked over 1400m on the Werribee polytrack yesterday morning which Comerford said was “just to loosen up more than anything’’.

“The horse has come through Caulfield well, he looks well, lost a couple of kilos but he is very good, no problems,’’ Comerford said.

“He is a hardy horse, a very hardy horse and took it all well.’’

O’Brien came closest to winning a Melbourne Cup a decade ago when Mahler ran third behind the Lloyd Williams-owned Efficient.

Williams, owner of a record five Melbourne Cup winners, is in the syndicate which races Johannes Vermeer.

“I’d like to think Johannes Vermeer is a better horse than Mahler,’’ Comerford added.



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Ballydoyle Dozen remain in Racing Post Trophy Contention 

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23.20
Aidan O'Brien has 12 horses in contention for Saturday's Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster as he seeks a record-breaking 26th Group One winner of the year.

The Ballydoyle handler equalled Bobby Frankel's record with Hydrangea at Ascot on Saturday and is responsible for more than half of the entries in the mile contest.

Spearheading O'Brien's potential team are leading Investec Derby fancies Saxon Warrior (Pictured Above) and The Pentagon.

Mendelssohn, Seahenge and Threeandfourpence, who finished second, third and fourth respectively in the Dewhurst, have also been left in, along with Zetland Stakes winner Kew Gardens and Royal Lodge runner-up Nelson.

Coat Of Arms, Delano Roosevelt, Hunting Horn, Lucius Tiberius and Saracen Knight complete his list of contenders.



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Aidan now 1 win behind his record tally of winners in a flat season a record that was set in 2013



Galileo Progeny Stats Updated


A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated 


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


A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated 


Leading Sires Tables Updated - (1) Leading Flat Sires GB&IRE (2) Leading 1st Season Sires GB&IRE (3) Leading Second Season Sires Europe



A.P.O'Brien Career Stats Updated



A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses In Training 2017 Updated

A,P.O'Brien goes level with Bobby Frankel both joint world record holders now 




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Aidan on Future plans for Breeders Cup Next Weekend & Australia  



Aidan O'Brien has nominated Saxon Warrior and The Pentagon as his likely runners in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday, when he could attempt to break the late Bobby Frankel's record for number of Group One wins in a year.

The Ballydoyle handler drew level on 25 at Ascot on Saturday, as Hydrangea won the Champion Fillies & Mares Stakes.

"We are thinking about running The Pentagon and Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy," said O'Brien, whose colts both feature prominently in the ante-post markets on the Investec Derby.

"In France next Sunday we could run Threeandfourpence over seven furlongs (Criterium International), and over a mile and a quarter (Criterium de Saint-Cloud) maybe Nelson, Kew Gardens and Delano Roosevelt.

"Plans are all very fluid and we will decide during the week."

He added of his Australian running arrangements: "Lloyd (Williams, owner) is thinking of running Johannes Vermeer in the Melbourne Cup. I don't think he'll be going for the Cox Plate (on Saturday) and if he runs again there it will be the Melbourne Cup.

"Taj Mahal is in the Cox Plate and it will be decided early this week whether he will run."

O'Brien also confirmed Long Distance Cup winner Order Of St George would stay in training, while Ryan Moore has advised Hydrangea stays on as a four-year-old given her versatility.

"She's an amazing filly, she beat Winter in a Guineas trial over seven furlongs and to do that yesterday over a mile and a half was something else," said O'Brien.

"We weren't sure she'd stay, Wayne (Lordan) and Seamus (Heffernan) thought she would and it was Ryan's idea to run as he thought she would.

"I think the lads will think about it (staying in training), I was speaking to Ryan about it and he said we should keep her in training because she could run in anything from a mile to a mile and a half, hopefully we'll keep her.

"Order Of St George will hopefully stay in training next year. Some days it can take him a little while to get going and that's what we saw a few times that he got beat. It looked like he might only finish third over a furlong out, but then he took off."  

Happily & US Navy Flag are being considered for the Breeders Cup Juvenile races. 
Lancaster Bomber Roly Poly & Rhododendron all set to be part of the Breeders Cup Squad. 

Highland Reel  "We were delighted with his run. He has been off a long time and he is not a soft-ground horse, but we were over the moon with his run," said O'Brien.

"That (America) is what we would be thinking about.

"It was the only place we could get a little bit better ground, by going over the far side."

"Declarationofpeace is going for a five-furlong race on Breeders cup undercard. War Decree could go for the Classic or the Mile."


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Bound brings up Ballydoyle treble at Leopardstown



Bound became the third winner on the day for Aidan O'Brien, and the second for Seamie Heffernan, when she shed her maiden tag in the Listed Trigo Stakes at Leopardstown. O'Brien combined to land the 2.20 with Heffernan and James Cook, whilst his son Donnacha rode Kenya to victory in the preceding Killavullan Stakes. <Bound chased the leaders in fourth, and she went second three furlongs out. Ridden to lead under two furlongs out, the chestnut daughter of Galileo stayed on well in the final furlong. She crossed the line with a length and three parts and half a length to spare over Cannonball (6/4 favourite) and Play The Game (66/1). "Seamus always liked her and he wanted to ride her today. He gave her a lovely ride," said Aidan O'Brien. "She is a very honest filly, and very clear winded. We didn't always get a clear run with her, and she's probably even better than her form. "She's a very well-bred filly, and I'd say she will be going to the paddock next year."

©Healy Racing Photos



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Classy Kenya too good in the Kilavullan Stakes G.3 at Leopardstown




Aidan O'Brien has yet another potential Classic contender for 2018 on his hands after Kenya took the step up to Group Three company in his stride in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown.

Just eight days on from a wide-margin Cork victory, the son of Galileo was given a positive ride by Donnacha O'Brien, who set sail for home early in the straight on the 7-4 favourite.

Mcmunigal tried to chase him down but stamina appears to be Kenya's forte and the market leader answered every question put to him by his rider to cross the line with a length in hand.

O'Brien said: "He improved from his first to his second run and obviously has again. Donnacha said he handles an ease in the ground and won't mind stepping up in trip.

"Donnacha said he was very happy with him and that he's a grand, big, genuine horse."

RaceBets gave the Galileo colt a quote of 33-1 for the Investec Derby, and O'Brien added: "I think he'll be one for a Derby trial, whether he runs in a Guineas trial we'll see, but Donnacha feels he'll have no problem with a mile and a quarter.

" I'd imagine that will be it for this year. Obviously things can change, but more than likely that will be it."




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James Cook FOUND his way round Leopardstown well to break maiden tag



It was Aidan first, Joseph second and Aidan third and fifth as the O'Briens dominated the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden (Plus 10 Race) at Leopardstown. James Cook (4/7) got the job done under Seamie Heffernan.

The Lloyd Williams-owned and Joseph O'Brien-trained Latrobe ran very well on debut, but the previous second placer James Cook saw it out well enough to hold on by half a length.

There was also merit in the performances of Ballydoyle third and fifth, Gardens Of Babylon and Cypress Creek.

Aidan said: "He's still very green from the front, but you would have to be happy with that. He probably won't run again this year. We will probably leave him alone."




©Healy Racing Photos




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Wonderful scenes at Ascot Yesterday 

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Hydrangea all heart to win Fillies & Mares as Aidan Equals World record 
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Aidan O'Brien drew level with the late Bobby Frankel's world record of 25 Group/Grade One wins in a year when Hydrangea landed the Qipco British Champion Fillies And Mares Stakes at Ascot.

The Galileo filly had beaten dual 1000 Guineas winner Winter twice already this campaign, but was racing over a mile and a half for the first time.

Ryan Moore made a bid for home early, obviously in no doubt about her ability to stay the distance, but the favourite Bateel cruised up alongside her. When asked to go and win the race, though, Bateel simply could not get past Hydrangea and in the final 100 yards the 4/1 shot began to pull away again.

Hydrangea eventually won by two lengths, with Coronet back in third.

On equalling the record, O'Brien said: "It's incredible for everyone, they all put in so much hard work, day in day out. We're a small link in a big chain and I'm delighted for everyone - it's a magic, special day. The chain is so long and we're so glad to be a little link in it."

He added of the winner: "She's by Galileo and they will not stop, their will to win is incredible. She pulled out more and it was Ryan's idea to run her as he thought there was a chance she'd get the trip. We weren't sure, but she did."

Moore said: "What Aidan O'Brien has done this year is remarkable and it is a massive team effort. Everyone who looks after these horses, they put in so much time.

"The filly has been on the go all year and has got better and better. I thought she had a good chance, I just hoped the ground would be a bit better than it was.

"I'm delighted for Aidan."
















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Order Of St George digs deep to land Long Distance Cup 

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Order Of St George pulled off an unlikely victory to get up close home in the Qipco Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

Aidan O'Brien's stayer was sent off the 4/5 market leader, but with two furlongs to run he looked beaten back in fourth, hitting a big price on the exchanges as Torcedor kicked clear.

Gold Cup hero Big Orange was a spent force a long way out on the testing ground and it was Mount Moriah who led them into the straight, with Torcedor on his shoulder.

When Colm O'Donoghue asked the Jessica Harrington-trained Torcedor for maximum effort he looked sure to collect, but in the final 100 yards he was treading water as Ryan Moore got a late lunge out of Order Of St George.

John Gosden's Goodwood Cup winner Stradivarius stayed on for third under Frankie Dettori.

Moore told ITV Racing: "I was very happy the whole way round and thought I had the first two covered, but they picked up very well and it didn't look likely for a long time. But as they came back to him he began to get motivated and at the line he's won well.

"He's an unbelievably good horse, he ran a very good race in the Arc 20 days ago, he's come here at the end of a long, hard year and looked magnificent.

"He's a pleasure to deal with and we're very lucky to have him."

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Aidan assembles strong 12 horse squad for Champions Day 

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19/10

Aidan will fire a two-pronged assault on the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Six-time Group One winner Highland Reel will lead the Irish challenge and will be joined by stable companion Cliffs Of Moher.

Caravaggio is among a classy field of 13 for the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Aidan O'Brien's colt appeared to have the sprinting world at his feet when lifting the Commonwealth Cup but was beaten in the July Cup and in France before bouncing back in the Flying Five Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend. Washington DC Intelligence Cross & Alphabet also represent the Ballydoyle handler. 

Aidan O'Brien won the QEII  for the fourth time with Minding 12 months ago and saddles 2000 Guineas hero Churchill, who needs to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Irish Champion Stakes, Lancaster Bomber and Sir John Lavery.

O'Brien's triple Group One-winning filly Roly Poly was the only horse withdrawn from the confirmation stage.

Order of St George renew his rivalry with Big Orange in the Qipco Long Distance Cup. 

British Champions Day Ballydoyle Jockey Bookings 
Ryan - Order of St George Highland Reel Caravaggio Hydrangea Churchill
Heff - Intelligence Cross Wild irish Rose Cliffs of Moher Sir John Lavery 
Wayne - Alphabet 
Don -  Washington DC Lancaster Bomber



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Curragh Awards Round UP As Aidan Ryan Heff & Coolmore win awards. 



Seamus Heffernan was awarded the leading Riding Performances of the Year’ award. There was also a huge response to the public vote which was launched this year for the first time to allow racing fans vote on both categories from a list of five nominees. Seamus Heffernan was awarded the accolade for his successful ride on Capri in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Aidan O’Brien was the Leading Trainer of the Season having won 34 races, while Ryan Moore was leading Jockey with a notable 17 victories. Mrs Sue Magnier was crowned leading owner for the 2017 season.

Leading Owner  presented by Curragh Board member Stephen Collins: Mrs Sue Magnier 

Leading Trainer presented by Curragh Board member John Byrne : Aidan OBrien

Leading Jockey presented by Curragh Board Manger Joe Osborne: Ryan Moore

Leading Riding Performance presented by Ger Humphreys of Tipperary Crystal: Seamus Heffernan
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Closing sectionals a Johannes Cup pointer?
19/10

Johannes Vermeer

How do you dissect the closing sectionals of Johannes Vermeer from last Saturday when assessing his chances in Saturday's $3 million Caulfield Cup?

The Lloyd Williams-owned import was having his first Australian start in the G1 WFA Caulfield Stakes (2000m) last weekend.

After getting shuffled back and then failing to get a run at a crucial time due to his tiring stablemate The Taj Mahal, Johannes Vermeer got into the clear and produced the third-fastest final 400m of the day - quite a feat given there were multiple class races conducted over sprint trips.

His overall IVR figure was 4.1 above the benchmark standard - typically short of what you need to win a Caulfield Cup when factoring in a distance rise that usually compresses a horse's IVR.

"They tend to lose around one to three lengths when going from 2000m-2400m," Vince Accardi from Daily Sectionals said before issuing a warning.

"European-bred thoroughbreds in staying races can hold their IVR figures as they step-up in trip and in some cases improve it."

But the real key to working out Johannes Vermeer lies within his 6.9 lengths above benchmark final 400m in the Caulfield Stakes. It proves the son of Galileo can reel off a sizzling sprint after running benchmark figures early in staying races - a major plus for a Caulfield Cup.

Last Saturday he was powering through the line, as opposed to Humidor when he won the Makybe Diva Stakes and Royal Symphony first-up this time in when both were simply going past tired horses in average finishing sectionals albeit off faster tempos - both have since let their followers down.

Johannes Vermeer could've undoubtedly recorded figures at least two to three lengths superior if allowed to build momentum earlier.



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Aidan is underestimated by British race goers


18/10

Aidan's domination of racing in Ireland and Britain over the past few seasons is like nothing any of us have seen before. He has won 14 of the 31 Group 1's run so far in the UK in 2017, seven of the 12 in Ireland. He has won eight of the ten classics in the two countries (and had the runners-up in the other two).

On Saturday, he will win his seventh British trainers’ championship. Even before Champions Day, he has won a record £7.25 million in prize money and is nearly £3 million clear of John Gosden in second.

His 21st Irish title is assured. His haul there is €6.43 million - roughly the same as the next 5 trainers in the table put together.

He is so far clear at the top of the world trainers’ rankings that he seems to have disappeared over the next horizon.

And perhaps more significant than any of these achievements is the world record of Group or Graded races in a calendar year he seems certain to break very, very soon. 

Aidan, who celebrated his 48th birthday on Monday, needs just one more to equal American Bobby Frankel’s mark of 25. And he has plenty of strong contenders in plenty of the key races still to come.

So pretty well all his runners are going off at falsely short odds, right? Bookmakers must surely fear the worst whenever there are one or more Ballydoyle horses in the line-up. It has to be a long time since you could get a good price about any of his horses, right? In Britain particularly, where he is obviously more selective about which races he targets with which horses, punters must be queuing up to bet on them. 

Right?

Er, not necessarily.

In Britain, a strange phenomenon is apparent. Sometimes, even now, Aidan is being underestimated.

He has had 131 runners in 74 Group races in the UK so far in 2017, winning 24 of them. Winners to runners, that’s a strike rate of 18.3 percent. Winners to races (and, let’s face it, you can only win each race with one horse) it’s a strike rate of 32.4 percent. Aidan wins one in every three races he contests.

You might think then that those 24 winners were more or less all short-priced favourites. Yet, on the contrary, nine of them started at 4/1 or longer. And six of them - 25 percent - were 8/1 or longer.

Some punters obviously didn’t think quite so much of their chances.
Of course, in many of the most prestigious races, Aidan often has multiple runners - Wings Of Eagles was one of six in the Epsom Derby, for instance. It used to be said that, when he saddles up a large squad, it’s a scatter gun approach, that none of them are particularly outstanding.

If that was ever the case, it certainly isn’t now. Surely bettors should have realised the obvious truth: there are so many top-class horses in the yard these days that, when Aidan runs several in one race, pretty well all of them have a chance. There are very few no-hopers.

Indeed, if you’d had a £10 win bet on every single one of O’Brien’s 131 Group-race runners so far this year, you’d be £560 in profit.

US Navy Flag -

It’s relatively easy to understand why the son of War Front was allowed to go off at 10/1 for the Middle Park Stakes - he was part of a Ballydoyle contingent of four, for a start, and Ryan Moore had elected to ride one of the others. It was U.S. Navy Flag’s ninth race of a busy campaign, and he looked thoroughly exposed, and not top class.
The starting price of 5/1 for the Dewhurst Stakes last Saturday is a little harder to explain.

This time he was the only G1 winner in the field, the winner of his two previous races, and now the choice of Ryan Moore, again as part of a four-strong Ballydoyle contingent. It may have been his tenth run of the year, but the previous week his full sister, Roly Poly, had won her third G1 of the season, over the same track, and obvious similarities between the two were apparent - most significantly that they get better the more they run.

Of course, the main reason U.S. Navy Flag was less respected in the market than perhaps he should have been came in the shape of the Juddmonte colt Expert Eye, who was already 4/1 favourite for the 2000 Guineas after an impressive win in a G2 at Goodwood at the beginning of August.

Beyond that, U.S. Navy Flag, out of a G1-winning Galileo mare, arguably has a stronger pedigree, and he had won twice on the Rowley Mile already while the inexperienced Expert Eye had never raced at Newmarket. The market was betting on perceived potential rather than hard facts. When those hard facts involve Aidan O'Brien, it's a curious approach.

In the event, of course, Expert Eye was last of nine after running too keenly early on, and the Ballydoyle quartet finished 1-2-3-4



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Aidan & Mick Kinane team up in the Legends race at 

Punchestown 


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18/10

Mick Kinane and Aidan O'Brien are reunited in the John Shortt Legends Challenge Race at Punchestown on Thursday.

Kinane and O'Brien formed one of the most successful partnerships seen in world racing, teaming up with such luminaries as Galileo, Giant's Causeway, Rock Of Gibraltar, Hawk Wing, High Chaparral, Yeats and many others.

And the old guard are back together in a star-studded event, with Kinane riding Air Supremacy against some of the greats of both codes in a race put on in memory of former National Hunt jockey Shortt.

Shortt lost his battle with cancer in February, aged 53, but before he died purchased a plot of land on which to build a family home for his wife, Anne Marie, and daughter Alex, and the race will be raising funds towards that goal.

"It just goes to show what people thought of John," said Kinane. "He was a wonderful man and this race and the people involved, Aidan O'Brien, Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott - it shows how popular he was.

"It will be a very interesting race, that's for sure, and one thing that is for certain is that those of us riding in it won't look like we did in former years! I'm really looking forward to it, as are the rest of the lads.

"Aidan was very keen to provide a horse for this race and Ballydoyle and Coolmore are always very supportive of occasions like this.

"It's the first time I've ridden for him since George Washington, but despite all their success they never forget and it's great to team up again.

"I'm sure it will be a great day and I hope we raise plenty of cash for John's family."



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Will Aidan O’Brien break Bobby Frankel’s record?



18/10

It is, of course, a reasonable way of illustrating the genius and dominance of Aidan O’Brien this year but rarely has as much attention seemed to have been drawn to a rather unexciting record attempt.

One imagines, as humble as he will no doubt be when he secures the last two Group One winners to draw ahead of Bobby Frankel’s world mark of 25 in a year, that it is not an achievement that will have greatly occupied the mind of the brilliant O’Brien.

He is trying simply to maximise the potential of the horses in his care and race them around the world, rather than compare himself with a man whose 2003 mark was secured exclusively in North America.

O’Brien will surely reach it through the Breeders’ Cup, Racing Post Trophy and remaining events in France but it might actually be tough for him to get two on the board at Ascot as the likes of Caravaggio, Churchill, and Hydrangea have major obstacles in their path. William Hill offer 3-1 that he will cross off the two winners, if that floats your boat.

Then again, he may only need one by the time Ascot gets under way as his Johannes Vermeer is favourite to land the Caulfield Cup in Australia on Saturday morning.

The Cup runneth over:

One of Ascot and Champions Day’s remaining ambitions is surely for the Long Distance Cup to become another Group One on the card and this year’s race has attracted the two best stayers in Britain and Ireland as Order Of St George and Big Orange prepare to re-enact their epic meeting in the Gold Cup.

It appears that Melbourne’s loss is Ascot’s gain in the case of these two. The former is partly Australian owned while the latter has appeared in Flemington for the past two years. The competitive nature of the Melbourne Cup would make it very hard for these top-class stars to give away lumps of weight in a handicap and the promise of another tooth-and-nail battle promises to open the card with a bang.



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Aidan to be crowned British Champion trainer on Saturday


18/10

Aidan O’Brien will officially be crowned British Champion Trainer 2017 at QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday.

O’Brien has enjoyed a sensational 2017 winning four out of the five British Classics (Churchill– QIPCO 2000 Guineas; Winter – QIPCO 1000 Guineas; Wings of Eagles – Investec Derby and Capri in the William Hill St Leger); together with three winners at Royal Ascot and eleven races which comprise the 35 race QIPCO British Champions Series.

O’Brien is also tantalisingly poised to equal, and possibly exceed, the world record for the most number of Group / Grade 1 victories in a year. Bobby Frankel’s tally of 25 was set in 2003 and O'Brien is currently on 24 and fields a dazzling squad for Britain’s richest raceday that comprises dual Classic winner Churchill, crack sprinter Caravaggio, globetrotter Highland Reel and Order of St George.

The Trainers’ Championship is decided on prize money and runs from 1st January to 31st December but, at the request of the National Trainers’ Federation, the presentation will be made on QIPCO British Champions Day, along with the Stobart Champion Flat Jockey and Champion Owner.

Rupert Arnold, Chief Executive of the National Trainers’ Federation said: "In recognition of his exceptional performance in 2017 and as he challenges the boundaries at the highest level, the NTF felt it was fitting that Aidan O’Brien should be crowned Champion Flat Trainer on QIPCO British Champions Day, the finale to the European flat racing season.

"We congratulate him and all the team at Ballydoyle."

O’Brien has accrued £7,247,556 in prize money in Great Britain this year and is nearly £3 million ahead of the 2015 Champion Trainer, John Gosden who, as the last British winner of the title, will make the presentation to his peer after the QIPCO Champion Stakes at approximately 4.05pm.

Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series said, “Aidan O’Brien has once again been in blistering form this season, winning 11 of the 30 QIPCO British Champions Series races that have been run to date so we are delighted to be honouring his achievements and celebrating his successful defence of his title on QIPCO British Champions Day. Congratulations to him and all the team.”

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Vermeer's draw is ideal as the son of Galileo is set for the Caulfield Cup 
 
Johannes Vermeer

18/10
Inside barriers are not always a blessing in the Caulfield Cup, but the Johannes Vermeer team would not swap theirs for any other in Saturday's $3 million Group 1.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained galloper claimed favouritism for the 2400-metre handicap after drawing barrier two at Tuesday night's allocation of starting positions.

Drawing low has been the undoing of many Northern Hemisphere-trained visitors in the charge to the first turn, but O'Brien's travelling foreman T.J. Comerford said it was ideal for the son of Galileo, who will be ridden by Ben Melham.

"I text him (O'Brien) straight away and he was very happy with it," Comerford said from Werribee on Wednesday morning.

"When you see how well he jumped out the last start at Caulfield, he was smart out, so all he has to do is be as smart out and then he can just slot in wherever we want and we can take our time on him.

"The good thing about him is he's smart away and it's not like we'll be worried that he's slow away, because if he was slow away then you've had to sit and suffer but I know he'll be quick away."

Tawqeet, in 2006, was the most recent Caulfield Cup winner to start from barrier two, but it has been a race for those drawn in the second half of the field of late with five of the past eight having started from double-digit gates.

O'Brien, who will equal the record of 25 Group 1 wins in a calendar year held by Bobby Frankel if Johannes Vermeer is successful on Saturday, said he is delighted to race the horse with five-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams.

Williams has often labelled O'Brien the premier trainer in the world and it seems the admiration is mutual as O'Brien claims the man to have owned more Melbourne Cup winners than any other is the most knowledgeable man in racing.

"His experience is obviously second to none in life and business and racing and everything so I am really delighted that Lloyd has this horse now and now has the program set out for him," O'Brien told Sky Sports Radio.

"We talk a lot. He is a very wise and clever man and we can all learn a lot from him. He's been in racing a long time. I really call Lloyd a very good friend."

A $15 chance in the Caulfield Cup before Saturday, Johannes Vermeer caught the eye of many in the G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) when he flashed home for second to Gailo Chop, who is now second favourite in Cox Plate behind Winx.

Comerford said the Caulfield Stakes performance was not unexpected and he was trying not to get caught up in the increasing hype around the five-year-old entire, who heads CrownBet's Cup market at $4.60.

"He's come out of the race very good, he's benefitted from that run," Comerford said after watching Johannes Vermeer take part in his most strenuous piece of work this week, a light 1500m gallop with The Taj Mahal on the Werribee synthetic track.

"He looks way better this week than he did last week. I think he's just come into himself. He takes to his racing well, he looks well, he's healthy and I was very pleased with him this morning.

"It's a bit different now because now you're under the spotlight more and people are expecting big things from him, but if things go to plan I don't doubt that he'll be on the premises."




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Probable Ascot Runners Saturday

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Aidan said Roly Poly Rhododendron & Seventh Heaven most likely to be kept for the Breeders Cup - Aidan on Winter "Winter hasn't been 100 per cent since running in the Arc and we're going to wait a bit longer before making plans,"





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Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News 2017 - 21 Ballydoyle Residents in rankings 


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From our friend Jason Doyle updated Tattersalls horses in training sale Ballydoyle lots.



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Johannes Vermeer draws barrier 2 of 17 & Ballydoyle old boy Sir Isaac Newton draws barrier 17 of 17 for the Saturdays Caulfield Cup.

Ben Melham (Johannes Vermeer's Jockey) "he has a good barrier & hope to reward Aidan with the world record equaling G1". Everything crossed

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Leading Sires Tables Updated - (1) Leading Flat Sires GB&IRE (2) Leading 1st Season Sires Europe (3) Leading Second Season Sires Europe


AIdan O'Brien is now 6 Times Champion trainer of Great Britain & 20 Times Champion Trainer of Ireland as he can not be caught in either



A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated

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A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses In Training 2017 Updated 


A.P.O'Brien G1 Wins By Nations Updated 


A.P.O'Brien Group Race History Honors Board Updated 


A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated 

Its so close now we can touch it

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Bumper Ballydoyle Squad of 17 assembled for British Champions day 



16/10
Aidan O'Brien has eight of the 17 horses confirmed for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday

The Ballydoyle battalion includes Highland Reel, Churchill and Rhododendron - but not multiple Group One-winning filly Winter, who has also been taken out of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

Caravaggio is on course to lock horns with Harry Angel once again in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Aidan O'Brien's sprinter got the better of Harry Angel in the Coronation Cup at Royal Ascot, but was fourth behind Clive Cox's sprinter in the July Cup at Newmarket.

Caravaggio got back to winning ways at the Curragh last time, while Harry Angel supplemented his Newmarket success with another top-level victory in the Haydock Sprint Cup.

Caravaggio was one of four confirmations for O'Brien, alongside Intelligence Cross, Washington DC and Alphabet.

Seventh Heaven, Hydrangea, Rhododendron and Wild Irish Rover are all in contention for the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

Big Orange and Order Of St George, the first two home in the Ascot Gold Cup, could renew rivalry in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.

Irish St Leger winner Order Of St George is one of three possible runners for O'Brien, who has also left in Idaho and Seventh Heaven.


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Johannes set for swift return in Australia 
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16/10
Johannes Vermeer is set to make a swift return to action in Saturday's BMW Caulfield Cup after narrowly failing to strike at Caulfield over the weekend.

Aidan O'Brien's charge was beaten just a head in the Group One Ladbrokes Stakes, making eyecatching late headway but just failing to catch Gailo Chop over 10 furlongs.

The four-year-old is now in line to step up to 12 furlongs just seven days later, with connections considering a midweek gallop to keep him ticking over.

"He ran very well, we thought as much, he was absolutely flying since he got here, I think since he got here his work has come on again," said O'Brien's travelling head lad TJ Comerford.

"I don't think we need to do a whole lot with him, but we will think about going on the grass on Wednesday, just putting him back to his normal routine.

"It (Caulfield Cup) does come a bit quick so we just have to change things around a little, but not a whole lot, the horse is fit and well, he is fresh, he actually looks very well.

"(Backing up) would only be a problem if they don't come out of his races well, he always seems to come out of his races well, he hasn't been knocked about at all really, he had a lovely race, he came back, ate up at night and that is where we are now, I'm 100 per cent happy with him," he told www.racing.com.

O'Brien is still in hot pursuit of Bobby Frankel's record of 25 top-level winners in a year and Johannes Vermeer will provide the next opportunity for the Ballydoyle handler to equal that mark.

Comerford indicated that the O'Brien team are still aiming to press on to the Cox Plate with The Taj Mahal, who finished 10th at Caulfield.

"The Cox Plate is the big option for him, we can change a few little things around with him the next time, I will have to see what Aidan and Lloyd (Williams, part-owner) think, but I do think it would be an option," he added.

"(The) Taj Mahal just ended up being a bit lazy, he probably needed that to wake him up because he is a good horse you know, there is better to come from Taj Mahal, I don't doubt that he will improve."



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Derby hero Wings of Eagles to stand in France 

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16/10
This year’s G1 Investec Epsom Derby winner Wings Of Eagles will return to his birthplace of Haras de Montaigu to take up stallion duties in 2018. The bay was off the mark at Killarney as a 2-year-old and was a close second in the G3 Chester Vase S. in May, an important Epsom pointer, before blossoming and going on to beat stablemate Cliffs Of Moher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the Epsom showpiece in June, emulating his own sire Pour Moi’s winning performance in 2011. The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt proved that win was no fluke when going down narrowly to Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Cracksman in the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, despite suffering a career-ending injury during the race. The earner of $1,376,832 retired with a mark of 7-2-1-1.

Wings Of Eagles was purchased from his breeders Gilles and Aliette Forien as a yearling at Arqana by MV Magnier for €220,000. His dam Ysoldina was graded stakes placed on multiple occasions including when third in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches in 2005. His yearling half-sister by Kingman (GB) sold for €750,000 at Arqana in August and his repatriation is another boost for French breeding following the stallion additions to Haras de Bouquetot as mentioned opposite.

Wings Of Eagles is the first Epsom Derby winner to retire directly to stud in France in over 60 years.

Haras de Montaigu’s Sybile Gibson said, “With his magnificent physique and pedigree, which combines the class and stamina of Montjeu with the precocity and speed of Kendor, and his racing performances, Wings Of Eagles has all the attributes to become a leading stallion like Galileo, Sea The Stars, New Approach and High Chaparral, all Derby winners.”

Wings Of Eagles will stand in conjunction with Coolmore Stud and a covering fee of €12,000 has been set.



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Idaho fails in Canadian International bid as Bullards Alley pulls off 50/1 shock 
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16/10
Bullards Alley was a shock 50/1 winner of the Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine racecourse on Sunday night, meaning Aidan O'Brien's wait to equal the world record for number of Grade/Group One wins in a year goes on.

The mark of 25 set by the late Bobby Frankel has long been threatened by O'Brien, who reached 23 victories in 2001 and 2008.

A Dewhurst Stakes 1-2-3-4 at Newmarket on Saturday led by US Navy Flag had put him one away from joining American great Frankel, and with Ryan Moore doing the steering, the four-year-old Idaho was well fancied to improve on his eighth place in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

But the unheralded Bullards Alley, trained by Tim Glyshaw, did not read the script, coming off the home turn full of running and rocketing clear when asked the question by jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva.

To his credit, Idaho stayed on down the straight to make late ground in fourth, just ahead of last year's winner Erupt, but in the final reckoning there was only one horse that mattered.

Rain Goddess finished last the EP Taylor Stakes she never really got into the race


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US Navy Flag Breeders Cup Bid can't Be ruled out by O'Brien



16/10
Aidan O’Brien has hinted that Saturday’s Dewhurst Stakes winner US Navy Flag could join his stablemate and sister Roly Poly as part of his Breeders’ Cup team for California next month.

The success of US Navy Flag at Newmarket took O’Brien to 24 group one wins in 2017, one short of the record in a calendar year set by the late American trainer Bobby Frankel in 2003.

It was the 10th run of the season for the Ryan Moore-ridden 5-1 shot. He appears to be thriving on racing and became the first colt since Diesis in 1982 to add the Dewhurst Stakes to victory in the Middle Park Stakes.
Asked if US Navy Flag could be heading across the Atlantic, O’Brien said: ‘I would definitely not rule it out.’

Roly Poly, a three-time group one winner this summer, is on course for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Roly Poly and US Navy Flag are offspring of US sire War Front. Their dam, Misty For Me, won five races including the 2011 Irish 1,000 Guineas.

O’Brien will fire a strong squad at Qipco British Champions day at Ascot on Saturday with plans to run Caravaggio (Champion Sprint), Churchill (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes), Order of St George (Long Distance Cup) and Winter (Champion Stakes).


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Dramatic improvement for Dramatically as Daughter of Wonder of Wonders sheds Maiden Tag 


©Healy Racing Photos

15/10
Aidan O'Brien's Dramatically showed improvement to get off the mark in the juvenile fillies' maiden over six furlongs at Naas.

The daughter of War Front raced off the pace in the early stages before taking closer order after halfway.

She delivered her challenge inside the two pole and soon hit the front under Donnacha O'Brien.

She was kept up to her work and drew two and a quarter lengths clear at the line at 4/1.

Betsey Trotter at 9/2 and Encantador (14/1) completed the placings in second and third respectively.

"I was actually very happy with her first run when she was just very green,” Donnacha O'Brien said.

“She wasn't really facing the kickback there when I got back a bit. She'd prefer nicer ground but that was a nice performance. Dramatically finished 11th of 14 on debut in Dundalk at the end of September.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson


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Flag leads home scintillating 1 2 3 4 for Ballydoyle in Dewhurst




U S Navy Flag led his rivals a merry dance in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes as Aidan O'Brien saddled the first four home in the Group One at Newmarket.

The Ballydoyle colt was a 5/1 shot to secure a second Group One on the bounce following his Middle Park Stakes triumph a fortnight ago.

Ryan Moore controlled the pace from the front before kicking for home and U S Navy Flag readily brushed aside his opponents to claim an impressive two-and-a-half-length victory.

Stablemates Mendelssohn, Seahenge and Threeandfourpence finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Sky Bet cut U S Navy Flag to 8/1 from 33s for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket with disappointing favourite Expert Eye pushed out to 10/1 from 7/2.

U S Navy Flag provided O'Brien with a 24th top-flight success of 2016, leaving him just one short of the record set by American trainer Bobby Frankel in 2003.

Moore told ITV Racing: "He's been a remarkable horse. From the middle of the summer we've started to work him out. He's very tough. I thought it was going to be a very good Dewhurst.

"To win a Middle Park and then to come and win a Dewhurst is great and he was strong at the line. It's a massive feat again, what Aidan has done."

U S Navy Flag is a full-sister to Roly Poly, who secured her third successive top-level win in last weekend's Sun Chariot Stakes.

"They're amazingly similar," Moore added.

"Neither of them are the biggest, but they'll both give you absolutely everything. This lad would have a little more substance about him. They both seem to keep getting better every time they come to the track."









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Smart Kenya Dazzles at Cork 



Kenya justified his short price with the minimum of fuss in the opening seven-furlong maiden at Cork this afternoon.

Emmet McNamara sent his mount straight to the front and the 8/11 shot had his rivals at work passing the two pole in the Coolmore Ruler Of The World Maiden.

The son of Galileo galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a comprehensive length victory over Stellar Ecplise.<Kenya has been a promising third behind stable-mate Flag Of Honour on his debut at Naas ten days ago.

McNamara said afterwards:- "He had a lovely run the first day and came out of it and came forward from it well and was very impressive.

“I thought it would take a very nice maiden to beat him and it looked like a field where there might be plenty in with chances and you'd imagine all five would win a maiden.

"He handled the ground well and stayed particularly well. He'll have no problem stepping up in grade or trip."



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Impressive Kew gets the better of Zetland Rivals 

Kew Gardens was a decisive winner of the Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes at Newmarket.

Fourth behind stablemate and leading Derby contender Saxon Warrior in the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh three weeks ago, Aidan O'Brien's juvenile was the 13-8 favourite for this 10-furlong Listed event.

Ryan Moore controlled the pace in front and, with the rail to help, kicked for home over a furlong out.

Dee Ex Bee and Graffiti Master went in pursuit, but Kew Gardens was well on top at the line, passing the post three and a half lengths in front of the former.

Moore told ITV Racing: "He's got some very good form and has ran into some good colts in Ireland.

"The step up in trip has helped him and he probably enjoyed running on nicer ground.

"He's done that very smoothly. He was happy the whole way and just kept picking up."

O'Brien said: "Ryan was very happy and said he was very uncomplicated.

"He's a very good-natured, genuine, good-moving horse. Ryan said he galloped out very well.

"I'd imagine he'll start in the Derby trial (next season) and that's the type of horse we think he is - a classic mile-and-a-quarter, mile-and-a-half horse."
Thanks to Stu for the picture.




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New Coolmore Poster - First Group Winner for CAMELOT
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Late Flying Johannes Vermeer just denied in the Caufield Stakes 


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The Darren Weir-trained Gailo Chop has held off the fast-finishing Ballydoyle 4 year old Johannes Vermeer to win the Group One Caulfield Stakes and deny Aidan O'Brien a 24th Group One victory of the season. 

Johannes Vermeer was fairly handy early but was taken back. At the halfway stage the Ballydoyle duo were no more than a length apart.

Johannes Vermeer was switched to the far out side & started to make progress in the final 3 furlongs Johannes began to really take off under Katelyn Mallyon who got a fine tune out of him in the final half furlong but just failed to pick up the winner late on.

Damien Oliver's mount The Taj Mahal started in midfield but failed to pick up in the later stages and was clearly looked after by his jockey when the writing was on the wall he finished in 10th place.

You can take positives from both performances as it was merely an opener for the duo.







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September 2nd in the Fillies Mile Group One at Newmarket Magical 4th

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Cougar Mountain 5th in the Challenge Series (Group 2) at Newmarket - I Can Fly 3rd Butterscotch 4th in the Oh So Sharp Stakes Group 3 at Newmarket  - Battle of Jericho unplaced in the Cornwallis Stakes Group 3 at Newmarket. 

Ruby Quest unplaced in the 830 at Dundalk - De Coronado & Long Island sound unplaced in the 8pm at Dundalk 


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Idaho leads Rain Goddess at Woodbine this morning thanks to TwinSpires for the Photos




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6 Ballydoyle juveniles in the top 20 in Europe

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O'Brien quartet will test Expert Eye's Classic credentials 

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12/10
Aidan O'Brien, who won the Dewhurst for the fifth time with this year's dual 2000 Guineas hero Churchill 12 months ago, O'Brien sends over four contenders to take on Expert Eye who was the impressive winner of the Vintage Stakes and is the antepost favorite for the Qipco 2000 Guineas.

Gustav Klimt Ballydoyle's leading Guineas hope was ruled out of the race after a setback and has since been put away for the winter.

Instead Expert Eye will tackle Middle Park Stakes scorer US Navy Flag Champagne Stakes-winning stablemate Seahenge, maiden winning son of Scat Daddy Mendelssohn & Dundalk maiden winner Threeandfourpence.

On the same card Group 3 placed Kew Gardens runs in the Zetland Listed Stakes 
While impressive Naas maiden winner Flag of Honour & Tipperary winner Zabriskie run in the Autumn Stakes G3 




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New Coolmore Poster - More winners for Camelot 





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Knight revels in conditions to break maiden tag at Gowran 



©Healy Racing Photos

Saracen Knight landed the odds in the opener at Gowran Park this afternoon when asserting in the closing stages.

Seamie Heffernan was soon in front on the 1/2 shot (11/10 this morning) but was pushing along turning for home on the Ballydoyle colt.

The son of Camelot drifted left under pressure when Heffernan asked for maximum effort a furlong-and-a-half out but kept on well inside the final furlong.

He went on to record a length-and-three-quarter success over newcomer Razoul. It was third time lucky for the winner who had been third on his two previous outings.

Heffernan said:- "I liked him at the Curragh and the two that beat him the last day are above average. He stays well.

"We have plenty of Camelots and I'd say there is still more to come from them. They are not as early as what you would like.

"The ground is heavy."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)


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Happily Magical & September set for Fillies mile

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11/10

Aidan O'Brien fields Happily in the bet365 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket on Friday as he hunts down a 24th top-level success of the year Ryan Moore will ride.

The Ballydoyle handler is on the cusp of breaking Bobby Frankel's record of 25 Group-Grade One victories, and Happily will have the chance to add to her Moyglare and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere wins as she spearheads a three-pronged O'Brien assault.

O'Brien also runs Magical (Don( and September (Heff), who finished second and third respectively in the Moyglare last month.

Aidan also runs Battle of Jericho (Ryan) in the Cornwallis G3 Butterscotch (Heff) & I Can Fly (Ryan) in the Oh So Sharp Stakes G3 & Cougar Mountain (Ryan) in the Challenge Stakes G2 on friday at Newmarket 
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Taj Mahal & Johannes ready to make Aussie bow 

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11/10 
Taj Mahal and Johannes Vermeer begin their spring carnival campaigns in the Caulfield Stakes with bigger Group One targets on the horizon.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained pair have been in quarantine at Werribee racecourse just shy of two weeks and are set to line up in Saturday's Group One race over 2000m.

The pair will race in the colours of five-time Melbourne Cup winning owner Lloyd Williams whose son Nick was at Werribee on Wednesday morning to watch the pair work.

Williams has received glowing reports from T J Comerford who has travelled to Australia previously with the O'Brien team.

"From all reports T J Comerford seems very happy with them," Williams said.

"The lads looking after them seem happy and their work today looked impressive. 

"They were squeezed up a couple of furlongs in their work so we're hopeful they can give a positive showing on Saturday."

Williams is hopeful they can pick up a share of the $1 million prize money on offer on Saturday.

Damien Oliver partners Taj Mahal from barrier two while Katelyn Mallyon rides Johannes Vermeer from barrier six.

Johannes Vermeer is aimed at Saturday week's Caulfield Cup with The Taj Mahal scheduled to tackle Winx in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 28.

Williams said the cliche of one race at a time exists with Taj Mahal.

"We'll see how he goes on Saturday but it's always been Aidan's plan to take him to the Cox Plate," Williams said.

"Flemington has that wonderful option of the Emirates Stakes on final day and to me he looks a big horse, a big striding horse and Flemington wouldn't be bad for him but Aidan's always said Moonee Valley.

"He's the best trainer in the world and has won something like 300 Group One races and 23 for the year so far-be-it for me to give him any advice."

Another pair of Williams-owned Melbourne Cup runners are due to in Melbourne on Saturday morning.

Trained by O'Brien's son Joseph, Rekindling and US Army Ranger are undergoing quarantine in Ireland ahead of their flight to Australia.



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Aidan Chats about weekend plans - 4 in Dewhurst & 3 potential runners in Fillies Mile

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10/10

Aidan on his potential Dewhurst runners 
US Navy Flag “He is a very progressive horse. He's a brother to Roly Poly and there are many similarities between the two. We always thought he worked like a nice horse but he was just a little bit slow to learn. We were happy with him in the Middle Park – he seems to have come out of that very well, and at the moment we're contemplating running him on Saturday."

Seahenge "He was very green the first day and was a bit green again at Goodwood, but he did it well in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, where Donnacha gave him a lovely ride."

Mendelssohn "he was behind Seahenge at Doncaster but Ryan felt he banged himself a little. He’s a horse that’s learning and he has a good look around, but we worked him in blinkers during the week and they seemed to wake him up. There’s a possibility he'll wear a pair of blinkers, or a visor, on Saturday."

Threeandfourpence “He won nicely at Fairyhouse and I spoke with Evie this morning and the plan is for us to run him as well.”


Aidan on The Fillies Mile 
“Nothing is set in stone with regards our Fillies’ Mile entries. Happily has come out of her run in France very well. September and Magical could also run. When there’s not a lot of space between races we like to leave the decision as late as possible.”

Aidan on Other Newmarket Group Races this weekend 
“There's a chance that I Can Fly will run in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes on Friday, while we're thinking about running Battle Of Jericho in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes.”



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Aidan can equal the world record next weekend looks a formality and a matter of time now. 


A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses in Training 2017

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A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated


A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated


A.P.O'Brien Career Stats Updated 


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


A.P.O'Brien G1 wins by Nations Updated

Leading Sires Tables Updated

(1) Leading Flat Sires GB&IRE (2) Leading 1st Season Sires GB&IRE (3) Leading Second Season Sires Europe

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British Champion Trainer Table Updated 



Aidan O'Brien's most successful season by G1 victories - Yesterday Aidan equaled his Personal Best tally of 23 G1 wins in a calendar year which was set in 2001 at the time it was also a World Record. Aidan also equaled his Personal best tally in 2008. Aidan's World record was beaten by Bobby Frankel in 2003.

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Baby makes it 2 in a row and takes the Staffordstown 



©Healy Racing Photos
Bye Bye Baby, the strong 5/4 favourite, delivered in convincing fashion from the front in the Listed Staffordstown Stud Stakes at Navan.

There was a chance that Donnacha O'Brien's mount could find most improvement off her maiden win and going up to a mile.

That’s how it panned out and she saw off Coeur D'Amour by two and a quarter lengths.

Bye Bye Baby's fellow Ballydoyle participants, Ballet Shoes (Padraig Beggy) and Sizzling (Wayne Lordan) filled the third and fourth spots.

Donnacha O'Brien said afterwards: "She's done it nicely. She got it easy up front and quickened up well. She tries hard and is taking her racing well. Hopefully she will be a nice middle distance filly next year."

(AM & EM)




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Gutsy Roly Poly takes the Sun Chariot Stakes 


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07/10
Roly Poly gave Aidan O'Brien a 23rd success at the top level this year - just two short of the late Bobby Frankel's world record - with a typically gutsy performance in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.

Taking her personal Group One tally in 2017 to three, Roly Poly just would not give in and kept responding to Ryan Moore's urgings.

Moore had Roly Poly (4/1) smartly out of the stalls and despite being unable to grab the far rail which Dawn Of Hope occupied, was always in a good position.

Dawn Of Hope led briefly, but Roly Poly rallied and went ahead again and was able to hold off Persuasive (9-4 favourite) by a length.

Nathra was a length and a quarter away in third, giving Jimmy Fortune a fine spin on his last ride before retirement.

O'Brien said: "She's a great filly, with a great heart. She's tactical and tough, amazing really. She's incredibly bred, out of a very good Galileo mare and by War Front, and the lads do a great job with her at home.

"I think so (go to Breeders' Cup), the lads (Coolomore) will decide what they want to do, but her and Rhododendron could be trained for the Filly And Mare race if that's what the lads want to do."

He added of being on the brink of reaching Frankel's record: "It would be incredible for everybody, but the horse always comes first. That's the important thing - the horse always comes first.

"After every race, the lads sit down and have a chat among themselves and see what race they want to pick, they have a big discussion with the people around them, make a target and we go with that.

"It's race to race, horse to horse, the horse always comes first and we're doing our best in every race, it's all we can do."

Sky Bet cut Roly Poly to 8/1 from 14s for the Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares Turf Stakes at Del Mar in November.

John Gosden said of Persuasive and Nathra: "They both ran superbly well. The winner on this ground was too good for us.

"With a bit more juice in the ground, both of our fillies would have troubled the winner. They have run second and third and I could not be more thrilled with them.

"They have run true and honest right to the end of the season. I think that will probably be it for both of them and the breeding sheds beckon."

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Long odds on Peace does the business at Dundalk 

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It looked straight-forward for Declarationofpeace on paper in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race and so it proved in the race itself.

Donnacha O'Brien tracked the leaders on the 1/7 shot and he moved up with ease to challenge a furlong-and-a-half from home.

The son of War Front hit the lead passing the furlong pole and just needed to be kept up to his work in the closing stages to post a cosy length-and-a-half success over Boragh Steps.

The winner was taking a significant drop in class having finished seventh in both the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and Middle Park Stakes on his last two outings.

He had won his maiden over course and distance back in May.

“I got there way too early and he stopped when he got to the front. He’s plenty of speed and it’s good to get him another win,” said the winning rider afterwards.



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Ranger enters Melbourne Cup Picture
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06/10

US Army Ranger has been listed as entered into quarantine in Europe and could make the trip for Australia's most prestigious race the Melbourne Cup Which takes place at Flemington Racecourse in early November known as the race that stops a nation. This is yet to be officially confirmed but once a horse is entered into Quarantine its virtually certain that the horse will travel. 

US Army Ranger was second in the 2016 Epsom Derby his career has not really gone to plan since but would make a fascinating contender. 
 



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Aidan Unveils Australian Targets for Taj Mahal & Johannes Vermeer

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05.10
Both Galileo colts will most likely run in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes over a mile and a quarter on October 14 before going on to their main targets. 

Aidan explained "Taj Mahal and Johannes Vermeer are in Australia and the plan is for them to run in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes.

"If all goes well then Johannes Vermeer will probably run in the Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup on October 21. Taj Mahal could go on to the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 28."




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Flag of Honour breaks his duck at Naas with an eye catching Kenya in 3rd


©Healy Racing Photos


The market spoke loudly for Flag Of Honour in the concluding seven furlong maiden at Naas and he duly did the business in good style.

The Galileo colt had finished ninth on his debut over course and distance ten days ago and showed considerable improvement.

Backed from 2/1 this morning into 4/6 favourite the Ballydoyle colt was produced to lead over a furlong from home by Seamie Heffernan.

He soon settled matters and went on to post a cosy four-and-a-half length victory over Dermot Weld's newcomer Jewel Maker.

Another Ballydoyle newcomer in the race Kenya made a promising start to his career finishing fast under Wayne Lordan to nab a place. Ballydoyle newcomer Conclusion by Deep Impact finished 8th. 

Heffernan said:- "He was very green here last week. I couldn't believe he was so short but he's won like a favourite should win. He's a little bit nervy but he has an engine."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)


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Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - 19 Ballydoyle residents in rankings 9 of them 2YO




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Leading Sires Tables Updated
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Aidan Deeply impacted by Japan's Star Sire 

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03/10
There will be no complaints if the Coolmore partners send Aidan several Deep Impact-bred horses next season - and he has one more to come in 2017.

With September having provided him with a Royal Ascot winner and Saxon Warrior second favourite for the Derby, having scored in both of his starts, the stallion's impact has already been colossal in Ballydoyle.

One more juvenile son of Deep Impact is yet to grace our shores this term, and his mom was not slow. Cherokee was sent straight into Group Three company on debut, scoring narrowly at the Curragh under then-stable rider Jamie Spencer in 2004.

Cherokee's three offspring managed 16 runs between them but no win. Of her latest, Conclusion, Aidan said: "He is a nice horse, getting close to a run." O'Brien could soon run Foreign Secretary, an entry at Naas tomorrow, by Galileo out of the brilliant Finsceal Beo. "He's a lovely mover, so we don't want him to start on bad ground."



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Plans for Ballydoyle big guns as World Record attempt in full flow 

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Gustav finished for the season 

03/10
Aidan O'Brien is lining up his stable stars for some big autumn targets as he continues his quest to surpass Bobby Frankel's record of 25 top level victories in a calendar year.

The Ballydoyle handler is three short of that target and has both Roly Poly and Alluringly in the mix for Saturday's Group One Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot at Newmarket.

Winter, Highland Reel, Order Of St George, Churchill, Caravaggio, Clemmie and Happily could turn out again before the end of the year and while O'Brien has a handful of options for the Darley Dewhurst Stakes, Superlative Stakes winner Gustav Klimt will not take his chance.

O'Brien told the Irish Independent: "Gustav Klimt is done for the year and, while we are not sure what we will run, it's possible U S Navy Flag and Threeandfourpence could go there, and perhaps Seahenge.

"We have The Pentagon and Saxon Warrior, they could go for the Racing Post Trophy.

"Order Of St George ran a fine race in the Arc; we'll look at the two-miler at Ascot.

"We'll chat to (Coolmore's partners) about Winter, she could go to the Champion Stakes. I'm not sure about the mile and a half, she won't run over it again this season, I'd have thought.

"Highland Reel has options in the Champion (Stakes) and America. With Churchill we're favouring him going over a mile at Ascot, but he has the chance of the Champion Stakes too.

"Likely both he and Caravaggio will be retired at the end of the season, but Caravaggio should run in the sprint at Ascot.

"I'd say September will be a middle-distance horse next season and she is in the mix for the Fillies' Mile. The Juvenile Fillies' race at the Breeders' Cup could suit Happily and Clemmie and we will see about Magical."



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3 New Coolmore Posters Camelot No Nay Never & Australia 



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Latest Stats Update

British trainers championship updated


A.P.O'Brien Bobby Frankel World Record bid is now going to happen


A.P.O'Brien Career Stats updated

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A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated 

Image may contain: 1 person, suit and textA.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated 

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A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses In Training 2017 Updated 

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A.P.O'Brien G1 Wins By Nations Updated 

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A.P.O'Brien Group Race History Honors Board Updated 

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What a weekend 







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Roly Poly & Clemmie plans Unvield  

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02.10
Aidan O'Brien has left Roly Poly and Alluringly in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

Roly Poly won back-to-back Group Ones in the Falmouth Stakes and Prix Rothschild before struggling in the Matron Stakes, while her stablemate was third in the Oaks at Epsom back in June but was last seen finishing fifth in a Gowran Park Group Three over an extended mile and a furlong.

A trip to the Breeders' Cup and the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket are under consideration for Clemmie following her triumph in Saturday's Cheveley Park Stakes.

Following summer successes in the Grangecon Stud Stakes at the Curragh and the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes on the July Course, the daughter of Galileo secured her first Group One victory on the Rowley Mile and hardened at the head of ante-post lists for next year's 1000 Guineas.

After strengthening his hand for the fillies' Classic when Happily beat the boys in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Chantilly on Sunday, trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "We were half-thinking that Clemmie might go to the Breeders' Cup and we have the Fillies' Mile to think about."

Clemmie is a best priced 4-1 market-leader for the 1000 Guineas, with Happily next best at 6-1.


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Back in form Rhododendron holds off gutsy Hydrangea in the L'Opera
Seamie Heffernan urges Rhododendron past Hydrangea and Ryan Moore
Ryan Moore sided with Hydrangea following her narrow victory over another Ballydoyle inmate Winter in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

Rhododendron, ridden by Seamie Heffernan, had finished second in the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks earlier in the year, but had disappointed on her two most recent outings.

Aidan O'Brien's pair were never too far off the pace being set by John Gosden's The Black Princess and after fighting their way to the front in the final furlong, it was Rhododendron who claimed a narrow verdict.

Sky Bet reacted by cutting the winner to 8/1 from 14s for the British Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes and to 14/1 from 25s for the British Champion Stakes.

O'Brien said: "We've just been talking, me and Michael (Tabor, part-owner), about sending her (Rhododendron) to the USA for the (Breeders' Cup) Filly & Mare Turf. I think that will be the plan.

"She had a bad day the last time she came here (pulled up), which stopped her for six weeks, and the lads did a great job to get her back.

"She's all class and we thought she would win the Oaks, only for her to run into Enable at Epsom.

"I'm delighted with Hydrangea and there's a good chance that she could also go for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare."





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Fast Finishing Happily takes Lagardere

Happily lunged late to beat the boys in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and earn quotes from Sky Bet of 6/1 (from 8s) for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and 7/1 (from 10s) for the Investec Oaks.

Aidan O'Brien's filly was bidding for a second successive Group One success following her narrow victory over stablemate Magical in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh three weeks ago.

With Magical the chosen Ballydoyle representative in the Prix Marcel Boussac - finishing fourth - Happily instead took on the colts and was a hot favourite under Ryan Moore.

Charlie Appleby's pair of Mythical Magic and Masar controlled the pace, with leading home-trained runner Olmedo splitting the pair at the top of the home straight.

Masar responded to pressure to stay with the strong-travelling Olmedo, but neither had any answer when Happily quickened by in the last half-furlong.

Olmedo beat Masar to the runner-up spot, with Mythical Magic fading into fifth place.


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Reeler Breeders Cup Defense not certain its Ascot or there say's O'Brien

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01/10 
Highland Reel has the option of running in the Qipco Champion Stakes or heading to America for the Breeders' Cup.

Aidan O'Brien was forced to rule him out of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, in which he finished second 12 months ago, due to soft ground.

The five-year-old has won the Coronation Cup and Prince of Wales's Stakes this season but has not been seen since being beaten nearly 10 lengths by Enable in the King George at Ascot on soft ground.

O'Brien said: "We are going to wait and see.

"He has the option of taking in the Champion Stakes or the Breeders Cup. The lads will think about what they want to do.

"The ground we thought was going to be too heavy in the Arc that is why we didn't go there."








 

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