The late gamble lands at @Galway_Races as Galileo filly Delphinia, sister to the smart Indian Maharaja and Delano Rooselvelt, gets off the mark for @donnacha_obrien and @Ballydoyle:
All 12 Ballydoyle Lots Have Been Sold At Tattersalls
202 The Corporal - Sells to Chris Wall for £20,000 GNS
203 North Wind - Sells to Damien English for £25,000 GNS
205 Isle Of Innisfree - Sells to Paul D' Arcy for £23,000 GNS
207 James Cook - Sells to Imperial Bloodstock for £42,000 GNS
538 World Stage - Sells to James Mescall for £13,000 GNS
539 Christopher Robin - Sells to Joseph O'Brien for £20,000 GNS
540 Aircraft Carrier - Sells to John Ryan Racing for £27,000 GNS
547 Zabriskie - Sells to Luke Comer for £58,000 GNS
619 Cliffs Of Dooneen - Sells to A C Elliott Agent for £90,000 GNS
202 The Corporal - Sells to Chris Wall for £20,000 GNS
203 North Wind - Sells to Damien English for £25,000 GNS
205 Isle Of Innisfree - Sells to Paul D' Arcy for £23,000 GNS
207 James Cook - Sells to Imperial Bloodstock for £42,000 GNS
538 World Stage - Sells to James Mescall for £13,000 GNS
539 Christopher Robin - Sells to Joseph O'Brien for £20,000 GNS
540 Aircraft Carrier - Sells to John Ryan Racing for £27,000 GNS
547 Zabriskie - Sells to Luke Comer for £58,000 GNS
619 Cliffs Of Dooneen - Sells to A C Elliott Agent for £90,000 GNS
623 Freetown - Sells to Luke Comer for £14,000 GNS
627 Royal Navy Warship - Sells to Pegasus Farms for £22,000 GNS
731 Lucius Tiberius - Sells to Anthony Stroud for £320,000 GNS
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Leading Sire Tables GB&IRE Updated 3 championships for Coolmore with Galileo Camelot & No Nay Never - Congratulations to Frankel too
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Gutsy Delphinia sees off rivals in Galway Maiden
Healy Racing Photos
From as big as 6/1 this morning she was backed down to 11/4 favourite while her stablemate, Flowering Peach, drifted from 10/11 in the morning out to 3/1 on the off (finished 11th).
Aidan O'Brien's Galileo filly challenged and led turning for home but was strongly pressed by newcomer Kiss For A Jewel (6/1) in the final furlong.
Delphinia was strongest in the closing stages, though, as she beat her rival into second by half a length.
Lottieloveheart completed the placings a further five and a half lengths away in third at 5/1 from 13/2.
Donnacha O'Brien said: "She liked the ground and stayed well. It took a while to find a race with stamina in it but staying is her forte.
"Maybe she was (under the weather in August) but she had two runs coming here so had a bit of experience."
Delphinia got off the mark on her third start after unplaced efforts in Leopardstown and the Curragh.
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Aidan Update on some of his Breeders Cup Squad
October 28th
Aidan O’Brien feels Mendelssohn’s experience of racing on dirt will stand him in good stead in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
The three-year-old colt has recovered after struggling on a sloppy surface in the Kentucky Derby in the spring with three good efforts since.
His latest run was in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Cup a month ago when he was only beaten two lengths into third place to suggest he could be a big player in the Classic.
“Everything is good with him so far. We have to be very happy with him. He has had the experience,” said O’Brien.
“You try different things but it is a bit different for us from people training in America. We are training over here and going over so we do have to try and learn what does and doesn’t work.”
While he still has to finalise his team, O’Brien named Magical and So Perfect are set to travel.
“Magical is going for the Turf. She came out of Ascot well so that would be good. She’d be open to improvement that filly. It will be interesting to see,” said the Ballydoyle handler.
“The filly (So Perfect) was second in the Phoenix and third in the Cheveley Park. We just have to decide whether we run her in the mile for fillies or the six furlong sprint. She is a little bit up in the air.
“They are all being scoped and blooded. If all those things are right we will let them go but if any of them have any issues with either scoping or blood than obviously they won’t travel.”
The Ballydoyle horses are due to leave on Monday morning from Shannon Airport
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Magna Grecia wins the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy! @DoncasterRaces @vertemam
Magna Grecia just claimed victory in the final Group One of the British Flat season on Saturday, the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster.
It was Aidan O’Brien’s ninth win in the race and two of his last three winners, Camelot and Saxon Warrior, followed up in the following year’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Sky Bet left Magna Grecia unchanged at 16/1 for next year's 2000 Guineas.
Second to Persian King in the Autumn Stakes last time, Magna Grecia was supplemented for this race on the back of that performance and he didn’t let connections down with a gutsy victory.
Held up in mid division by Donnacha O'Brien, stablemates Western Australia and Circus Maximus cut out the running and they opened up a gap on the field approaching the final quarter mile.
Magna Grecia went off in pursuit of his stablemates inside the two pole and five horses looked in with a chance inside the final furlong as the Ballydoyle trio were joined by Phoenix Of Spain and Great Scot.
However, it was Magna Grecia (2/1 favourite) that pulled out more to deny Phoenix Of Spain (11/2) with Western Australia (50/1) holding on for third.
"We think a mile will be his thing next year."
The result provided his young rider with yet another Group One in what has been a stellar season.
Set to be crowned Irish champion jockey, he has also won the Oaks, 2000 Guineas and Irish Derby among a host of big-race successes this term.
A stewards' inquiry was called as there appeared to be contact between the first two, initially when Magna Grecia moved out from behind his stable companions to make his challenge and then just before the line, but there was no change to the result.
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Cosy for I Remember You in Fillies Nursery
Another win for @Ballydoyle today as I Remember You with @chrishayes24 on board surges to take @thetotecom @IrishEBF_ Fillies Nursery Handicap
I Remember You (7/1) relished her first crack at a nursery when delivering for Aidan O'Brien at Leopardstown.
She gave the champion trainer a double on the card as he also took the opener with Happen.
Chris Hayes was booked to do the 8st 4lb and his mount shot through between horses racing past the furlong pole to soon catch Leagan Gaeilge.
He kept her up to her work in the final 100 yards of this seven-furlong contest to hold fast-finishing Sunblessed (7/1) by half a length.
Commodus (7/1) was the same distance back in third.
“It was a nice spare to pick up. That was my first ride for Aidan, I spoke to him earlier on and he filled me up with confidence about the filly,” said Chris Hayes.
“Thankfully it worked out the way he planned and it would be nice to get another ride off him some day.”
Nikeandnemesis went off 13/2 favourite with six of the remaining 10 horses sent off at 7/1 in an incredibly competitive betting heat.
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By War Front out of Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks winner Alexandrova, Happen gets off the mark for @Ballydoyle with a strong run under top apprentice @CrosseShane in the opening @thetotecom @IrishEBF_ Maiden at @LeopardstownRC:
Many congratulations to @coolmorestud who have won our first race of the afternoon the @thetotecom @IrishEBF_ Fillies Maiden with HAPPEN
Happen mowed down Morpho Blue in the opening fillies' maiden at Leopardstown to give apprentice championship leader Shane Crosse another victory.
There was a morning-price gamble on Morpho Blue (8/1 to 4/1) and she set out to make all under Shane Foley.
The pair looked to have seen their 15 rivals off racing to the final furlong, however, Happen began to make headway on the inner.
The War Front filly was fourth at the furlong pole and stayed on strongly to get up in the final strides by a short head at 5/1.
Morpho Blue had to settle for second, a length and a quarter in front of Mallacoota (25/1).
Racine, the 7/4 favourite, looked a big danger as she made progress on the outer in the final quarter of a mile but her challenge petered out in the final 100 yards and she came home fifth.
Shane Crosse said: “She jumped very well, got a position, and just raced a small bit lazily for me. Once I really got stuck into her she was only really hitting top gear when she got to the line.
“I had my doubts, I thought I was going to get there and then I thought I wasn't. Thankfully she just got her head down so it was great.
“I just have to keep trying to get winners now so they have to try and fight back at me. We've only got a small bit to go so hopefully I can hold on.”
On riding for Aidan O'Brien he said: “I never thought I'd ever have a ride for him never mind ride a winner for him so it's brilliant."
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What a finish! @hugebowman and Brave Smash take out the Group 1 Manikato Stakes.
.@tjcom1974 comments on the performance of Aidan O'Brien's Manikato quartet.
What a run from Spirit of Valor for @oismurphy @TheValley @AtTheRaces @CoxPlate. Awesome effort. Yeeehaaa!
Aidan O’Brien’s Spirit Of Valor was narrowly denied by Brave Smash in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.
The Ballydoyle handler saddled four runners in the six-furlong Group One, with Ryan Moore siding with July Cup hero US Navy Flag, who was bidding to bounce back from his disappointing run in The Everest a fortnight ago.
However, along with stablemate Intelligence Cross, US Navy Flag missed the break and the pair never threatened to get involved in the finish.
O’Brien’s fourth runner, Fleet Review, was also well-beaten.
Spirit Of Valor, on the other hand, made a smart start in the hands of Oisin Murphy and raced to the lead rounding the home turn.
The War Front colt gave his all, but was unable to resist the late charge of the Darren Weir-trained Brave Smash under Hugh Bowman and had to make do with the runner-up spot, just as he did in the Group Two Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield earlier this month.
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Madrid swoops late to bring up Ballydoyle treble at Thurles
Madrid swooped inside the final furlong to run out a cosy winner of the three-year-old plus mile maiden at Thurles, completing a clean sweep of the first three races for Ballydoyle.
The previous two winners this afternoon had made most of the running but Donnacha O'Brien had to settle mid-division on Madrid as he was niggled along to go the early pace.
The Galileo colt found his feet in the straight, however, and started to make progress from the two marker.
O'Brien drove the 11/8 favourite into the lead inside the final 150 yards and he was soon well on top, easing down close home for a three-and-a-half length success over Swiss Cottage.
The winner was taking a significant drop in trip today having been fourth in a mile-and-a-half handicap at Leopardstown five days ago.
“They went flat to the boards up front and I took my time with him and he finished off well,” said Donnacha O'Brien.
"He travelled ok and I just gave him a chance."
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Constantinople sparkling performance overshadowed by the loss of Gathering Storm
Nice performance from Galileo colt Constantinople, runaway winner at @thurlesraces and off the mark for @Ballydoyle and @donnacha_obrien
Constantinople powered away in the closing stages to bring up a quick Ballydoyle double at Thurles in impressive fashion.
Front-running again proved the successful tactic in the mile maiden for colts and geldings.
The 4/11 shot tussled for the lead early with another Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Galileo, Gathering Storm, and had a definite lead after three furlongs.
Donnacha O'Brien asked the hotpot to stretch passing the two pole and he galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a 10 length victory over Counting Sheep.
The winner had been third on his last outing over in Newmarket last month and looked to be taking a significant drop in class today.
The champion jockey elect said afterwards:- "He had the experience and it was a moderate race so it was nice to get one.
“He is a good looking horse, will stay further and will get 1m4f next year, and the ground suits him."
After the race the sad news that the Team had lost Gathering Storm the full brother to multiple G1 winner Alice Springs
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Mona Lisa's Smile makes all to break maiden tag in Thurles Maiden
Mona Lisa's Smile produced a game front-running performance to land the first Flat contest run at Thurles in over a decade.
The Ballydoyle filly bounced out in front in the mile fillies maiden that opened proceedings at the Tipperary track this afternoon but was soon harried for the lead.
Fiadhna disputed approaching halfway but Wayne Lordan kicked on again over two furlongs out on Mona Lisa Smile.
The daughter of War Front kept on well in the closing stages to post a two length win at odds of 7/1.
4/1 favourite Syrena gave chase in the closing stages but was eventually pipped for second close home by Fujimoto Flyer.
Lordan said afterwards:- “It's nice to be back and the track rides well. I rode a filly with lots of experience, she jumped well and I got to the front which is a help around here.
"I had a good draw, the filly had loads of experience and Aidan said just to get her out good and forward and I hit the gates well. It all worked out well.
"I rode four or five winners here in the past."
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Grecia Head Ballydoyle Trio in Trophy
October 25th
Magna Grecia will spearhead a three-pronged attack by Aidan O’Brien on Saturday’s Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.
The Ballydoyle handler has an excellent record in the Group One — with eight wins to his name, including Saxon Warrior last year — but he is still behind Sir Henry Cecil’s 10 victories on the roll of honour.
O’Brien has sent the likes of High Chaparral, St Nicholas Abbey and Camelot to Town Moor for the final Group One of the season in Britain.
Magna Grecia, second to Andre Fabre’s Persian King in the Autumn Stakes, will be joined by Circus Maximus and Western Australia.
Magna Grecia was supplemented earlier in the week.
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Western Frontier off the mark in Navan maiden as he leads home Ballydoyle 1 2
Healey Racing Photos
Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien completed a 1-2 in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Navan today as 13/8f Western Frontier, under Seamie Heffernan, beat the Donnacha O'Brien partnered Captainofthebounty. (2/1)
Western Frontier, a son of Scat Daddy, made much of the running, and having improved to lead a furlong and a half out, stayed on well to eventually beat his stablemate by three lengths.
Afterwards Heffernan said “the first two are similar horses. My lad is big and possibly a little bit weak but I couldn’t have won any easier.
“All his three runs here are good, and hopefully he ends up being a Stakes horse.”
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T.J. Commerford video update on Rostropovich US Navy Flag Fleet Review Spirit Of Valor & Intelligence Cross
Master trainer Aidan O'Brien has some leading chances including US Navy Flag stepping out. Here is an update.
Rostropovich will meet #WINX for the first time on Saturday in the @CoxPlate. See how the horse is travelling.
Our 20th Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 16 Ballydoyle Residents in the rankings.
Huge thanks to Timeform - website
> https://www.timeform.com/
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BREAKING NEWS - BALLYDOYLE BREEDERS CUP 2018 PRE ENTRIES
18 PRE ENTERED FOR BALLYDOYLE A NEW BREEDERS CUP RECORD
Meet the Ballydoyle Breeders Cup 2018 Team
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BIG update on the Nieces and Nephews of St Nic - His sis gave birth to a 7th foal a Frankel Colt and The Yearling by Siyouni sold at tatts and the 2YO has been named Kimbriki - These are the only remaining relations to St Nic and i find it heartwarming that his bloodlines live on.
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Leading Sires GB & IRE Tables Updated - congratulations to Coolmore Stud Galileo, No Nay Never & Camelot are all champion Sires
Congratulations to Galileo on his tenth champions sires championship and his ninth in a row
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Albuquerque nails Empire State late on to win Gowran Maiden
Healey Racing Photos
Full brother to the top-class Rip Van Winkle, Albuquerque gets off the mark a shade cosily for Seamie Heffernan and @Ballydoyle at @GowranPark1. This one entered in next year's Derby and Irish 2000 Guineas...
After the success of Chablis in the opener, Aidan O'Brien quickly doubled-up with Albuquerque in the Join The Gowran Park Racing Club Today Maiden.
A full-brother to three time Group 1 winner Rip Van Winkle, the bay colt finished down the field on debut at Leopardstown in May.
Having opened on-course at 9/1, he came in for plenty of market support, and went off a 6/1 chance under Seamie Heffernan.
Settled in third on the inner, he squeezed through to challenge front-running stable mate Empire State from the furlong pole, getting to the front inside the final 100 yards, before going on to score by a neck.
Empire State proved friendless with punters, and having opened on-course at 7/4, he eventually went off the 3/1 market leader under Donnacha O'Brien.
Newcomer Georgeville (9/2) ran a fine race to take third, another three parts of a length back under Declan McDonogh for Dermot Weld.
Heffernan said afterwards: "He's a brother to Rip Van Winkle. He had a nice run the first day and I liked him today. It was tight enough but I always had enough room.
"He's above average."
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Chablis smartly off the mark in Gowran Maiden
Healey Racing Photos
One you might be hearing more about - by Galileo and a sister to The Pentagon, 1.5m gns buy Chablis wins on debut for Aidan O'Brien and the @Ballydoyle team at @GowranPark1:
The recent domination of the O'Brien family continued in the opener at Gowran this afternoon, as newcomer Chablis landed the Follow Gowran Park Racecourse On Twitter Fillies Maiden.
Trained by Aidan O'Brien, and bought for 1.55 million guineas as a yearling, the Galileo bay is a half-sister to French Group 2 winner Vadamar, and last year's Tyros Stakes victor The Pentagon.
Sent off at 8/1 under Wayne Lordan, she was settled behind the leaders on the inner, and was poised to challenge in fourth from the two furlong pole.
She soon came with her effort, and had a good battle with Peruvian Lily inside the final furlong, with three parts of a length separating them at the line.
The Joe Murphy trained runner-up was backed from 6s to 9/2 on-course (11s in early shows), while Lottieloveheart (50s to 33s) kept on well to take third, another length and a half back under Oisin Orr for Noel Meade.
Singer was sent off the 6/4 favourite, and she faded tamely in the straight, eventually finishing a disappointing thirteenth.
Lordan said afterwards: "I'd a good draw (in three) and over seven furlong here it's a huge help. I was able to travel around well, and when I got out she picked up and went to the line well.
"She's a well-bred filly being a sister to The Pentagon. She's a filly that will stay and it was a nice performance."
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Magna Grecia has been supplemented into the VertemFuturity Trophy (Racing Post Trophy)
22 October
Supplementary entry Magna Grecia is among eight possibles from the Aidan O’Brien stable for the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday.
Magna Grecia looked a colt brimming with promise when he was just touched off by Persian King in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket early this month, after making a winning debut at Naas at the end of September.
O’Brien, who has won the two-year-old Group One over a mile eight times, has a powerful contingent – among a field of 19 at the five-day stage – that includes Japan, winner of the Beresford Stakes.
Completing his team are Jean-Luc Lagardere runner-up Broome, Cape Of Good Hope, Circus Maximus, Zetland Stakes scorer Norway, Sydney Opera House and Western Australia.
Supplementary entry Magna Grecia is among eight possibles from the Aidan O’Brien stable for the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday.
Magna Grecia looked a colt brimming with promise when he was just touched off by Persian King in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket early this month, after making a winning debut at Naas at the end of September.
O’Brien, who has won the two-year-old Group One over a mile eight times, has a powerful contingent – among a field of 19 at the five-day stage – that includes Japan, winner of the Beresford Stakes.
Completing his team are Jean-Luc Lagardere runner-up Broome, Cape Of Good Hope, Circus Maximus, Zetland Stakes scorer Norway, Sydney Opera House and Western Australia.
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Aidan "More to come from I Can Fly Next Year".
22 October
Aidan O’Brien believes there should be more to come from I Can Fly next season after she pushed Roaring Lion close in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The filly went down by only a neck and is now Group One placed to add to her Group Two win in the Boomerang Stakes.
I Can Fly was just touched off by Roaring Lion in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
“We thought she was a Guineas filly. She just lost her way in the middle but has been progressing with every run since, massive progressive as we saw, and there could still be even more to come next year,” said O’Brien.
“She’s a smart filly.”
O’Brien was able to give a clean bill of health to all his Champions Day runners, but no decision will be rushed over which horses now head to the Breeders’ Cup.
“They all seem to be fine. We’ll see how they are next week and then we’ll have a chat and see what will go on to America or what will be retired,” he said.
“Obviously some of those fillies will be left alone now.
“Rhododendron (fifth in Champion Stakes) might be left alone now as she’s after doing a lot. The lads will talk about it now, but she’s a very important mare and she’s done it at two and three.
“She’s a filly that, looking back at it, a mile could have been her best trip, even though she has a lot of good form over a mile and a quarter. She still ran well yesterday.
“Capri (fourth) is grand. He ran a good, solid race.”
Sir Erec finished just ahead of Irish Leger winner Flag Of Honour in the Long Distance Cup behind Stradivarius.
“The stayers’ race was a little bit messy, but they ran good races. They are both horses that will get trips as four-year-olds,” said O’Brien.
“They’ll get a mile and a half plus anyway. They’ll be comfortable at a mile and a half, but they’d go on from there I’d imagine.”
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Can't Remember many first season sires having such an incredible start to their stud careers if any. - 24 individual winners from 49 starters and he has already produced a G1 winner
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Our 19th Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 14 Ballydoyle Residents in the rankings.
Huge thanks to Timeform - website
> https://www.timeform.com/
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Curly makes all to win the Rathasker Bungle Inthejungle EBF Bluebell listed Stakes At Naas that a Ballydoyle Treble on the day
Curly powered away from the field to take the Listed finale in Naas and gave Aidan O'Brien a treble on the card.
She tanked along for Seamie Heffernan and put daylight between herself and her rivals in the final quarter of a mile. The race was over passing the furlong pole as she won well by two and a quarter lengths at 5/1.
"We're delighted. She had some good runs and Seamus gave her a great ride,” Aidan O'Brien said after this mile and a half contest.
“She's a Galileo and she just kept going. I'm delighted she's won a stakes race, she deserved it. She had some good runs in Group races.
“She's entitled to win a Listed race off her rating.
“She'll go to stud now.”
O'Brien earlier scored with San Andreas and Sarrocchi (also ridden by Heffernan).
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Sarrocchi makes all and just holds on to win the Listed Garnet Stakes
Sarrocchi and Seamie Heffernan hold on to win the Listed @RathaskerStud Clodovil @IrishEBF_ Garnet Stakes for @Ballydoyle at @NaasRacecourse:
Sarrocchi looks set to head to the paddocks after her victory in the Rathasker Clodovil Irish EBF Garnet Stakes at Naas this afternoon.
Aidan O'Brien's charge produced a game front-running performance, under Seamie Heffernan, to claim the Listed contest.
The Galileo filly had her rivals on the stretch going to the two pole in the mile event.
The field started to close inside the final furlong but the 7/1 shot had enough in reserve to record a three-parts-of-a-length win.
Damselfly just prevailed in a tight finish for the runner-up spot, a short-head in front of Could It Be Love.
Sarrocchi had won on debut at Leopardstown last October and had been highly tried in Group company this season, her best effort coming when fourth in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh.
“That was great and Seamus gave her great ride,” said O'Brien.
“She had some very good runs. She had a break and this was her first run back.
“She's very genuine. She kept going and kept trying. It's great for a filly to win a stakes race like that.
“It's good to get it and I think she'll be off to stud now. We'll give some of the others a chance.
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San Andreas leads home Ballydoyle 123 in Naas Opener
£250,000 Dark Angel colt San Andreas sees off a couple of @Ballydoyle stablemates at @NaasRacecourse to win at the second time of asking:
The opening maiden in Naas for juvenile colts and gelding was dominated by Aidan O'Brien who supplied the first three home.
The Corporal led under Michael Hussey but was collared by stablemate, and 11/10 favourite, San Andreas and Donnacha O'Brien in the final 150 yards of this six-furlong race.
Ferretti (4/1) stormed home from fourth a furlong out to get to within half a length of the winner at the line.
The Corporal (18/1) held on for third, a further length away.
Aidan O'Brien said: “He's a hardy horse and he's going to take another run of two before he comes together.
“You'd be very happy with him and he came forward lovely from the last day. He's still a baby but you'd be delighted with that.
“I don't know if there's much left for him now.
“He's not slow, he's going to have plenty of speed and he's going to be quick enough next year. You'd hope that he might get a mile.
“The other horses improved on their last runs which was good.”
San Andreas was having his second start having come home fourth over seven furlongs at this track at the start of the month.
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Coral Beach stuns Killavullan Stakes field
Lucky 13! Something of a surprise in the feature Killavullen Stakes, but the tough juvenile Coral Beach lands her biggest prize on her 13th start this season in the Group 3 feature at @LeopardstownRC under Michael Hussey for @Ballydoyle:
Coral Beach sprang a 16-1 surprise to win the Killavullan Stakes for Aidan O’Brien at Leopardstown.
Michael Hussey’s mount bided her time in the seven-furlong Group Three contest, before picking up much better-fancied stablemate Old Glory and running out a one-length winner.
O’Brien’s Old Glory, sent off at 2-1 second-favourite, broke well and set out to lead all the way under Seamie Heffernan.
He had a two-length lead into the straight but had no answer to Coral Beach’s sustained run on the rail – with Jim Bolger’s Guaranteed also staying on late to snatch second.
Favourite No Needs Never, on the back of his unexpected Listed win over Old Glory at Dundalk last time out, could never land a blow in the rematch and trailed in seventh.
Coral Beach had mustered just one maiden victory, on her penultimate start at Cork, from 11 previous attempts – and was consequently very much her powerful stable’s second string here.
But she was a convincing winner nonetheless.
Winning jockey Hussey said: “She has plenty of ability, but she needs things to go right – and they did today.
“She travelled really well to the furlong pole – and when I went there, I think I got there a bit early.
“She’s got her head in front now, and she knows what to do. There is improvement in her, I hope.
“You have to ride her with a bit of confidence. Seamie told me to ride her down the inside and don’t come off the inside, so I stuck to that.”
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At Last Magical gets her Group One in the Champion Fillies & Mares
MAGICAL back against the girls today wins a Group 1 as a 3-year-old in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.#ChampionsDay
Ryan Moore explains that the softer conditions made all the difference to Magical today #ChampionsDay
Resultsbit.ly/2w8fYfO
Magical won the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot for Ryan Moore as the John Gosden hotpot bubble was burst on Champions Day.
After Stradivarius won the opener for Gosden the big four-timer was on, but bookmakers collectively breathed a sigh of relief as evens favourite Lah Ti Dar fluffed her lines in the Fillies & Mares.
Frankie Dettori had a wide trip aboard the favourite and she raced a bit keenly in the early stages, but the pair took up the running in the home straight to the roar of the crowd.
However, Aidan O'Brien's Magical was always travelling nicely in her slipstream and Moore angled her out for a challenge approaching the final furlong where she swept past Lah Ti Dar to take the lead.
Coronet emerged from the pack as the main danger, but Gosden's second string had no answer as Moore kept Magical up to her work, the Galileo filly winning by a length.
Coronet did finished second ahead of stablemate Lah Ti Dar, the trio three-and-a-half lengths clear of the rest.
O'Brien said: "She ran a lovely race in the Arc, and we really fancied her for the Oaks last year - (but) she had a little setback and didn't get to run.
"Wayne (Lordan) rode her in the Arc and he loved her. Wayne came in after the Arc and he was brilliant, he said there was no doubt this filly does get a mile and a half as that was her first time over a mile and a half and that is why we came back here.
"She was working lovely - and we're really, really delighted.
"We were always going to take our time with her (in the race), and she had a lovely position and relaxed. So I couldn't have been happier.
"That is her first Group One. We thought she might handle ease in the ground as she had form with ease in the ground as a two-year-old.
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Our 19th Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 14 Ballydoyle Residents in the rankings.
Huge thanks to Timeform - website
> https://www.timeform.com/
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US Navy Flag arrives in Melbourne where he will target further Group 1 races
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Record breaking season for Aidan in terms of winners & individual winners
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Galileo Sire Of Sires
Leading Sires GB & IRE Tables Updated - Galileo away and clear - 4 Coolmore sire in top 10 1st season sires - Camelot almost a million clear - Excelebration remains in top 10
Galileo Year By Year Stats Weekly Update
British Flat Trainers Championship Updated
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Ballydoyle quintet in contention for Killavullan Stakes
16th October
So Perfect headlines five entries for Aidan O’Brien in Saturday’s Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown.
The daughter of Scat Daddy has a verdict over Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Skitter Scatter to her name and chased home Advertise in the Phoenix Stakes.
So Perfect finished a creditable third to stablemate Fairyland in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on her latest outing.
O’Brien has also entered Coral Beach, Never No More, San Andreas and Old Glory, a son of Frankel who cost 1.6millions euros.
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Yucatan heads straight to the Melbourne Cup as McDonald offered the ride.
16th October
Yucatan will not run before the Melbourne Cup and James McDonald will be offered the ride in Australia’s greatest race.
Six-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams confirmed on Tuesday morning on RSN927’s Racing Pulse that the Herbert Power Stakes winner had pulled up a 'bit puffy' in his joints but was otherwise fine to continue his preparation toward a Melbourne Cup start.
The horse had been installed as favourite for both Cups following his freakish performance last Saturday but was taken out of the Caulfield Cup on Monday night fewer than 12 hours after his stable indicated he would be running.
"He hadn't quite recovered from the race," Williams explained. "He had a little bit of fluid in his joints and we thought running again in seven days was probably too difficult for him.
"By Wednesday or Thursday he'll be absolutely fine."
Williams said he spoke with the horse's trainer, Aidan O'Brien, in Ireland and it was decided not to risk the horse with a view to the Melbourne Cup.
He said Yucatan’s legs had been x-rayed on Monday after the puffiness around his joints had not reduced but he said the reaction was typical of European stayers.
"He was x-rayed in his joints and there was absolutely nothing wrong with him," he confirmed.
"He doesn't have to run again. Remember two years ago, Almandin won The Bart Cummings and went to the Melbourne Cup and that was a week before this race."
As for a Melbourne Cup rider, he said of McDonald, the winning rider from the Herbert Power Stakes: "Providing he is available and his manager wants to book him, I'm sure he'll get the offer to ride the horse."
Williams stopped short of declaring Yucatan his best chance of making it seven Melbourne Cup wins.
"I like Latrobe," he said. "(He’s got) 52 kilos and he's a pretty good horse Latrobe."
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Carrier surges late to break maiden tag at Gowran Park
Healey Racing Photos
Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien equalled his best ever Irish yearly flat winners total at Gowran today with the win of Aircraft Carrier in the Racing Again November 24th Maiden.
Aircraft Carrier, and Seamie Heffernan, today finished well to edge past runner-up War Diary near the line and score a short-head success and give trainer O'Brien his 139th success of 2018.
O'Brien finished 2013 with a record 139 Irish flat winners but is now certain to beat that tally, with three weeks of the turf season left, followed by two months racing on the all-weather at Dundalk.
O'Brien wasn't present at the meeting and regarding Aircraft Carrier, jockey Heffernan later said “he came forward a little bit and handles both types of ground which is a plus. He’s very relaxed and going further would help him a lot.”
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Royal Ascot winner Washington DC has retired to stud in England
15th October
Washington DC has been recruited to Bearstone Stud in Shropshire in England. His best performance this season came when finishing 2nd to Battaash in the Temple Stakes Group 2 at Haydock on May 26th.
Bearstone Stud owner Terry Holdcroft said: "I've followed his career since he won at Royal Ascot as a two-year-old and everyone at Bearstone is thrilled to have the opportunity to stand him in Britain.
"He's a very fast horse, comes from a very speedy family and is by a stallion who had a Royal Ascot two-year-old treble in his first season."
Washington DC will join former Ballydoyle Resident Fountain Of Youth at Bearstone Stud. A stud fee will be announced at a later date.
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Yucatan out of Caulfield Cup
15th October
The Caulfield Cup surprises keep coming with the new favourite Yucatan now out of the running for Saturday's $5million race and in line for a possible surprise Cox Plate start.
Co-owner Lloyd Williams confirmed on Monday night that the Herbert Power Stakes winner would not run in the Caulfield Cup but that there was had been no interruption to his Melbourne Cup campaign.
He confirmed by text that there was: "No problem. Hard track last race needs a week."
The following week is Cox Plate week and the only two races Yucatan would be liable to contest on that card are the Cox Plate or Moonee Valley Cup.
Less than 12 hours earlier, Williams had indicated Yucatan would return this Saturday with just 52 kilograms to the 2400 metre course at Caulfield. In the meantime, Racing Victoria’s chief handicapper Greg Carpenter penalised the former Irish horse 2.5 kilograms for the Melbourne Cup to 54.5 kilograms for his astonishing Australian debut where he thrashed a field of quality stayers.
The penalty for the Herbert Power win already took Yucatan to a safe spot in the Melbourne Cup order of 24th in line for a start in the 24-horse field with several horses above him in the order certain to miss the race.
Nick Williams Added "Disappointed Yucatan will miss the Caulfield Cup this Saturday. We were very keen to run but the horse’s well-being must come first so after much consideration by the experts it was decided it would be wrong to run him so soon after such a torrid run on the extremely firm track".
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Impressive Peach Tree lands the Staffordshire Stud Listed Stakes at Navan
Well-fancied in Group 2 company at the St Leger meeting last time, well-bred Galileo filly Peach Tree gets back to winning ways for @Ballydoyle and @donnacha_obrien in the Listed Staffordstown Stud Stakes at @NavanRacecourse:
Peach Tree completed a Listed race double for Aidan O'Brien at Navan, as she justified favouritism in the Staffordstown Stud Stakes.
A good second in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month, the daughter of Galileo since acted as a pacemaker in a Group 2 contest at Doncaster.
Having opened on-course at 7/2, the chestnut victor eventually went off the 5/2 market leader with Donnacha O'Brien in the saddle.
Settled behind the leaders in third, she improved into second approaching the straight, and got to the front with just under two furlongs left to race.
She was soon ridden and kept on well from the furlong pole, going on to score comfortably by a length and three parts.
Tarnawa (9/2) finished second under Declan McDonogh for Dermot Weld, while Credenza (8/1), also trained by O'Brien, was another three parts of a length back in third.
Donnacha O’Brien said afterwards: "She’s a grand genuine filly. She got a nice tow into the race and stuck her head out when I gave her a few hits."
Aidan O'Brien was earlier on the mark with All The King's Men in the Legacy Stakes.
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All The King's Men smartly wins the Legacy Stakes at Navan
Fresh from his big wins on Low Sun and Norway at Newmarket yesterday, Seamie Heffernan struck again at Navan this afternoon, as he guided All The King's Men to victory in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Legacy Stakes.
Successful on his penultimate start at Naas, the son of No Nay Never since finished fifth in the Blenheim Stakes at Fairyhouse.
Having opened at 10/1 this afternoon, the Aidan O'Brien trained victor eventually went off at 8s, and was sent straight to the front by Heffernan.
He was ridden over a furlong from home, and kept on well from there to score comfortably by a length and three parts.
Recon Mission (7/1) took second under Leigh Roche for Michael O'Callaghan, while Eclipse Storm (8/1) was another half a length back in third.
Never No More, also trained by O'Brien, was sent off the even money favourite, and he finished a disappointing seventh.
Heffernan said afterwards: "He's a winner and he's been working a little bit better than he's been running. The No Nay Never's enjoy racing, and I'd say you can run them often. He's a stallion I like."
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Capri Hydrangea & Happily on duty for British Champions Day
Aidan O’Brien is considering dropping Capri down in trip for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
Last year’s St Leger hero has had a truncated campaign, but showed he was coming back to form when fifth behind Enable in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
O’Brien has yet to finalise his team, but it could include Hydrangea, who might bid to repeat last year’s victory in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.
However, this year’s Leger winner Kew Gardens may be excused duty in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup after he finished seventh in the Arc, on what his eighth start of a busy campaign.
“I’m not sure if Kew Gardens will go,” said O’Brien.
“We will decide early in the week and just see how he is. You are never sure if he will get two miles.
“He won the St Leger, so there is every chance, but he has had a long season, so we will see. It will all depend on how he is during the week, then we will decide.
“We will see how Capri is, as he might go for the Champion and Flag Of Honour might be supplemented for the Long Distance race.
“Hydrangea might go back for the mares’ race and Happily, who finished second at Newmarket, might go for the QEII.”
O’Brien is keeping an eye on Just Wonderful ahead of a possible tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf at Churchill Downs early next month.
“It is possible that Just Wonderful could head out to America, but we will just see again with her,” said the Ballydoyle trainer.
“Fairyland won’t be going to America. She is finished for the year.”
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Impressive Sir Erec wins the Martin Molony Stakes (listed) at Limerick
Aidan O'Brien's Sir Erec stayed on powerfully from fifth approaching the final furlong to win the Listed Martin Molony Stakes in Limerick by a comfortable four lengths.
The 9/2 shot was switched out from behind horses by Michael Hussey and found an extra gear at the furlong pole.
It was here that The King had gone for home but he was swamped by Sir Erec coming to the final 100 yards and the latter strode right away to win well.
The King, the 6/4 favourite, had to settle for second under Colm O'Donoghue.
Michael Hussey said: "He is a nice horse. He was in a bit of a pocket but got me out of it and quickened up well and loved the ground.
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Classy Norway takes Zetland Stakes
Zetland Stakes (Listed)
2010m , 40k GBP , 2yo
Newmarket
1) Norway (IRE) by Galileo x Love Me (full Ruler Of The World)
2) I'Ll Have Another (IRE)
3) Nate The Great (GB)
"There's a chance he could be a bit better than him."
Seamie Heffernan making a positive comparison his Zetland Stakes winner Norway and full-brother Ruler Of The World.
Results
Norway showed stamina will be his forte after staying on powerfully to give trainer Aidan O’Brien back-to-back victories in the Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
Having landed the 10-furlong prize 12 months ago with subsequent St Leger winner Kew Gardens, the Ballydoyle maestro repeated the trick with the full brother to 2013 Derby hero Ruler Of The World.
Despite being a bit green the 7-2 shot found plenty for pressure under Seamie Heffernan to defeat I’ll Have Another by a length.
Following the race the winner was cut to 25-1 for the Derby by Paddy Power and Betway, while Ladbrokes went 33-1 for the same race.
O’Brien said: “I’m delighted with him. That was a lovely experience for him. He stays well and the last day he won well and galloped to the line. He is a beautifully bred horse.
“It is possible (going to France for Criterium de Saint-Cloud). He is a lovely big horse and he doesn’t have to go there as he has had that experience coming here. It’s a possibility though as he is in it.
“He is a lovely horse as he is a brother to Ruler Of The World and half brother to Duke Of Marmalade.”
Aidan also said US Navy Flag will stay in Australia for now “We will probably leave him there now and come back down to Melbourne. There is a Group One on the same day as the Cox Plate and there is another one in Melbourne a couple of weeks after that.”
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Electric Yucatan bolts up in Herbert Power Stakes
Yucatan dishes out a galloping lesson in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes. He's off to the #CaulfieldCup. bit.ly/2QIfrLY
"I'd be saying to you he's the Melbourne Cup winner in waiting."
Big statement from Team Williams.
"It's great to ride a winner in these colours."
Yucatan did as he pleased out there for @mcacajamez.
Sheer arrogance would be an apt description of Yucatan’s win in Saturday’s Group II Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield.
Yucatan showed why Irish master trainer Aidan O’Brien thought him worthy of a crack at the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups with a dominant performance in the Herbert Power Stakes.
Yucatan earned a Caulfield Cup ballot exemption with his easy win.
Yucatan ($6.50) drew barrier 15 and was slow away but jockey James McDonald was happy to let the son of Galileo improve three and four wide during the middle stages until he was handy to the speed at the 800m.
McDonald let Yucatan stride at the 600m before the entire opened a huge gap on his rivals on the home turn. Yucatan could have won by a big margin had McDonald not slammed on the brakes in the last 100m, which allowed the placegetters to cut the margin to 1 ¼ lengths on the line.
Part-owner Nick Williams described Yucatan as “the Melbourne Cup winner in waiting” but he and his father, prominent Melbourne owner Lloyd Williams, would let O’Brien decide whether the stayer backed up in the Caulfield Cup.
O’Brien’s travelling head lad TJ Comerford said Yucatan has settled in the best of the trainer’s five runners at the Werribee quarantine centre.
“He won very easy really, but he was the pick of them all week,” Comerford said.
“He gave a lot of ground going around the outside and he was the horse that was mapped out for this for a long time.
“Aidan always liked him and before he came here, he was working well.”
Yucatan's part Owner Nick Williams lifting the Herbert Power G2 Trophy
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Cliffs runs with credit in Ladbrokes Stakes
WHAT A BATTLE!
Benbatl fights off his @godolphin counterpart Blair House in a thrilling Ladbrokes Stakes. bit.ly/2QIfrLY
The Cliffsofmoher ran with real credit finishing 4th in the in the Ladbrokes Stakes (Group 1) at Caufield. He was last for most of the way and had to circle the field around the final turn he stayed on very strongly.
The Cliffsofmoher trapped 9 wide coming round the final bend 
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No Luck for Flag in Everest
BACK-TO-BACK FOR REDZEL IN #TheEverest
U S Navy Flag finished 9th in the Everest Stakes at Royal Randwick he missed the break and struggled to land a blow during the final stages of the race the heavy going was also against him on the day.
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Valor runs a stormer in Schillaci Stakes
Sustained speed from Ball of Muscle in the G2 Schillaci Stakes. bit.ly/2QIfrLY
Tj Comerford comments on Aidan O'Brien's Schillaci trio. Who will you be following from the race?
Spirit Of Valor 2nd in the Keno Schillaci Stakes (Group 2) at Caulfield Fleet Review was 9th & Intelligence Cross was 13th Aidan O'Brien's travelling foreman T.J. Comerford was delighted with the performance of Spirit Of Valor and suggested he would be suited by the step to 1200m next start.
The five-year-old holds entries for both the Manikato Stakes and the VRC Sprint Classic.
L-R: Spirit of Valor / Fleet Review / Intelligence Cross.
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Super Serge becomes Aidan's first Cornwallis Winner
Sergei Prokofiev flies from last to first in the blink of an eye in the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes
Results
Sergei Prokofiev could be bound for the Breeders’ Cup after outclassing his rivals in the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt looked a top-class prospect after registering successive wins in the spring and was far from disgraced when third behind Calyx and Advertise in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He was a shade disappointing on his two most recent outings in the Phoenix and Middle Park Stakes, but showed his true colours in this five-furlong Group Three on the Rowley Mile under a confident ride from the trainer’s son, Donnacha.
The 3-1 favourite was still at the rear of the field racing inside the final two furlongs, but made rapid headway once switched wide and passed the post a length and a quarter clear of Well Done Fox, without being asked for maximum effort.
O’Brien said: “He was always so quick at home. The first time we stepped him up to six furlongs he lost that bit of brilliance. It’s amazing the difference a furlong makes – obviously he is really a five-furlong horse.
“We were going to let him relax wherever he was. Donnacha did give him a very good ride. It’s very rare to come from the back like that.
“It’s possible he could go to America (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint). He has had a busy enough campaign and it might be possible we put him away for next year.”
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Ground conditions could dent US Navy Flag's Everest chances
12th October
Rain in Australia has dampened Aidan O’Brien’s enthusiasm ahead of US Navy Flag’s groundbreaking run in The TAB Everest on Saturday morning.
Billed as the world’s richest race on turf, the six-furlong test at Randwick sees 12 of the best sprinters on the planet line up.
Last year the inaugural running was won by Redzel, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, and he defends his title in what looks a wide-open race.
The Ballydoyle handler had planned to send Caravaggio to contest the showpiece event last year and while that did not come to fruition, US Navy Flag won the July Cup to seal his ticket.
O’Brien had campaigned the colt, who won the Middle Park and Dewhurst as a two-year-old, over a mile earlier in the season, finishing second in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
However, dropped back to sprinting he seemed much happier and beat a top-class field at Newmarket.
“He’s in good form and everything seems well with him,” said O’Brien.
“Obviously the worry we have is with the ground as they are getting plenty of rain down there, which is probably not ideal, but everyone seems to be happy with him other than that.”
Ryan Moore has jetted Down Under in preference to a solid book of rides at Newmarket on Friday and Saturday, including Anthony Van Dyck in the Dewhurst, but Coolmore’s Tom Magnier said the decision was made by the rider.
“Ryan Moore is retained by Coolmore as our No.1 jockey and he has the pick of the races he wants to attend,” Magnier told www.news.com.au
“There is the Dewhurst, one of the biggest races in the UK, but he is coming down for The Everest and is very excited about it.
“That says something when the top jockey in the world wants to be here.”
Magnier added: “It is one of the most talked-about races around.
“There is a buzz surrounding this race that I haven’t seen before.
“You have got your Melbourne Cup, your Arc de Triomphe, but this race is right up there. It’s got global recognition. In its second year it has become one of the biggest races in the world.”
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Emmet McNamara expecting no favors at Caufield
11th October
UNTIL two days ago, jockey Emmet McNamara had never laid eyes on Caulfield.
The Irishman will venture to The Heath on Saturday to ride Aidan O’Brien-trained sprinter Intelligence Cross, the lowest-rated of the Ballydoyle trio in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes.
Having spent years scrapping for rides at the powerhouse Irish stable and travelling the world for the sport’s most prolific Group 1 trainer, McNamara is undaunted to be taking on the cream of Australian horsemen.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to win plenty of big races in England and Ireland and did a couple of winters in Dubai, but it’s my first time riding here in Australia,’’ McNamara said.
“It’s a competitive pack here, but it’s the same in Ireland. There’s no quarter given or asked. I do hope I do have a good run.
“I had a peep over there (Caulfield) the other day, but I’ll walk it again on race day.
“It’s quite a short straight. There’s nothing similar, especially in Ireland.’’
Intelligence Cross is a $26 chance with TAB. His stablemates are Spirit Of Valor ($7) and Fleet Review ($14).
The trio, all by War Front, were given barrier practice along with O’Brien’s stayers The Cliffsofmoher and Yucatan.
“We put them all in. We done it last year with The Taj Mahal and I thought it worked well and Aidan likes to do it,” foreman TJ Comerford said.
“It sharpens their mind up and helps them refocus a couple of days out from race day, so they don’t get too lackadaisical. It works well. It can’t hurt.”
Comerford said the three sprinters were in “good form” and their performances in the Schillaci Stakes would shape their immediate future.
“We’re hoping to run well in sprints, we’re not expecting to win,” he said.
“If we won it would be a bonus.
“It’s the end of the year and normally if you have a good sprinter at home you’d like to bring them down for The Everest and that but there’s always other sprints like Hong Kong.
“It’s whatever Aidan feels like he wants to do like that.
“Maybe try them out and see what happens and if it works then you can go for other sprints out here like the Friday night (Manikato Stakes) at Moonee Valley and then at Flemington as well.
“This is a stepping stone to that.”
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Doyle looking forward to riding for Ballydoyle in Australia
11th October
James Doyle is looking forward to joining forces with Aidan O’Brien for the first time in his career when partnering Spirit Of Valour in the Keno Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield this weekend.
The in-demand 30-year-old will swap his more familiar Godolphin blue silks for those of the Coolmore team when getting the leg up aboard the four year old in the Group Two prize.
Doyle — who came so close to Arc glory last weekend with Sea Of Class — said: “I’ve never ridden for Aidan O’Brien before, but I have got my first ride for him on Spirit Of Valour at the weekend.
“I was meant to ride for them (Coolmore) one day in the July Cup, but the horse ended up being a non runner. Obviously when you are competing all the time against them, it is nice to get the call up to ride for them.
“I don’t know too much about the horse, but I’ve seen him race a fair bit and his last run was pretty good.”
Doyle will bid for more top-level glory Down Under aboard the Charlie Appleby-trained Jungle Cat in the Aquis Toorak Handicap, having triumphed aboard the son of Iffraaj in a seven-furlong Group One at the Melbourne track last month.
He said of the Godolphin runner: “It is going to be tough, as it is a Group One handicap and he has gone up in the weights a small bit. Hopefully he will improve going up to the mile.
“He has never run over that trip, but I think it will suit him with the fast early pace and the steady middle pace of the race. He has got a nice draw, which will also help.”
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Lancaster Bomber Retired to Stud
11th October
Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Lancaster Bomber has been retired to the National Stud in Newmarket. Coolmore will still retain a share in him.
The four-year-old son of War Front will stand at a fee of £8,500 on October 1, special live foal terms, with lifetime breeding rights also available. His stallion career will be managed by the Avenue Bloodstock team of John Ferguson, Mark McStay and Amy Lanigan.
Coolmore’s MV Magnier said: “Lancaster Bomber has always been held in very high regard by Aidan and the team at Ballydoyle. We've placed a lot of faith in his sire War Front, and thankfully it is being rewarded.
“We've retained some breeding rights in Lancaster Bomber and feel his retirement to the National Stud in Newmarket affords him an excellent opportunity to make an impact as a stallion.”
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Credenza digs deep to break maiden tag at Cork
Seamie Heffernan recorded a quick double for Ballydoyle at Cork this afternoon when Credenza held on close home to land the spoils in the mile nursery.
An Aingeal Dubh made the running and had the field on the stretch early in the straight.
Credenza chased down the front-runner a furlong-and-a-half from home but was strongly pressed by Facethepuckout in the closing stages.
That rival just failed by sjort-head to peg back the Aidan O'Brien-trained filly at the line.
7/2 shot Credenza had been third in her last two maiden starts, most recently behind stable-mate Frosty at Dundalk 12 days ago.
Heffernan said:- "She was a good ride in a nursery and I have her down as an 85 rated filly and she probably will be that after today.
“It worked out well and she is a filly that will go further next year like most Galileos. She is a Listed Stakes filly going 1m4f."
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Coral Beach breaks maiden tag at 11th attempt
Ballydoyle filly Coral Beach gained an overdue win on her 11th racecourse outing when taking the opening Kanturk Median Auction Maiden at Cork this afternoon.
The 5/2 favourite had to wait for a gap down the straight in the six-furlong contest and the split came inside the final furlong.
Seamus Heffernan drove his mount into the lead inside the final 100 yards to secure a half length success over the fast finishing Frosty Beach.
Coral Beach had been placed on seven occasions before today and had been beaten favourite on six of her runs.
Heffernan said afterwards:- "She has been a little bit disappointing but she works like a Group filly and I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up winning a Group race."
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Aidan aims Hermosa & Zagitova at Fillies Mile
10th October
Aidan O’Brien is double-handed as he chases a joint-record sixth victory in the bet365 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket on Friday.
The late Sir Henry Cecil currently holds the record — with Oh So Sharp (1984), Bosra Sham (1995) and Reams of Verse (1996) among his six winners.
O’Brien first struck gold with Sunspangled 20 years ago and has since added to his tally with Listen (2007), Together Forever (2014), Minding (2015) and Rhododendron (2016).
This year the Ballydoyle handler saddles Hermosa, who was third in the Moyglare Stud Stakes before winning a Group Three on her latest outing, as well as Moyglare fourth Zagitova.
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O'Brien pair Cliffs Of Moher & Yucatan to follow Vermeer path
10th October
The Cliffs of Moher and Yucatan polished off their final piece of work ahead of Saturday's show-stopping Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m), looking to follow in the hoofsteps of stablemate Johannes Vermeer.
The two northern-hemisphere four-year-old entires are set to track their path of their fellow son of Galileo from 2017, when Johannes Vermeer went on to place in each of the three Group 1s he contested.
Master trainer Aidan O'Brien's travelling foreman T.J. Comerford confirmed on Tuesday the same path was on the cards for both My Cliffs of Moher and Yucatan - the pair having been bought into for 50 and 100 per cent respectively by record Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams recently.
Despite not being at the races for more than three months, The Cliffs of Moher is ripe to perform at Caulfield come Saturday, according to Comerford.
"He's fairly forward now," he said from Werribee on Tuesday. We seem to think he's in good order. He hasn't ran in a while.
"He's training away, his weight is good, there's no real issues with him, it's just normal for him now and doing what he's doing since he got here.
"He's travelled down here well - they all travelled well actually, even though it was a long flight.
"But their weight is good, they're in good condition and their coats are nice and healthy, so they're in good form."
Comerford said a firm track would not be a knock to either heading to the weight-for-age contest, in fact they will thrive. Despite My Cliffs of Moher's most recent win coming on good-to-yielding ground at Naas, he has subsequently performed competitively against top-class opposition this year on good-to-firm ground.
"These are all top of the ground horses, so anytime they get different conditions at home, you have to kind of put up with it," Comerford said.
"Their class might show a bit more because you have to go on any ground, but I think you'll see the best of them when they're on top of the ground.
"I think the next step is similar to what we did with Johannes Vermeer last year - Caulfield Stakes, Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup."
And the quick back-up is not uncommon to one of them - My Cliffs of Moher racing twice at Royal Ascot this year three days apart
"Most of our horses are well used to it, backing them up wouldn't be a problem, we do that a lot and it seems to work well for us," Comerford said.
"I suppose if they had hard races... but normally you see how they come out after it, but generally it works out for the better."
While O'Brien will have eyes on the $13million Everest with US Navy Flag, he is experimenting with a trio of fellow War Front progeny in the $400,000 Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Each of Fleet Review ($11), Spirit of Valor ($13) and Intelligence Cross ($21) sit a few rungs down the market order for the sprint, Comerford said that was probably the right pecking order for their trio.
"I suppose Fleet Review and Spirit of Valour are probably the best of the three," Comerford added.
"Intelligence Cross is probably that little bit behind - but you never know with these War Fronts, the three of them are by War Front.
"They [War Front progeny] can be so much different on a raceday - what you see in training, and what they do on raceday can be totally different.
"Spirit of Valor's form is good, but Fleet Review's - on paper - is probably just a bit better, but I wouldn't like to pick between the two of them because they'll make a liar out of me."
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Aidan could pay first visit to Australia since 2008
9th October
Tom Magnier said he intends to contact Aidan to report in on U S Navy Flag’s work on Tuesday night Australian time where the logistics of a trip to Australia will be discussed.
“Aidan is not sure if he’s going to make it yet,” Magnier said. “We are going to speak tonight to make a plan. We also have the Dewhurst on in England and we’ve got a lot of runners there as well. We’re playing it minute-by-minute and the plan is to speak to him tonight, after the horse has worked. I know he wants to come down but there are a lot of runners in England and we have Ballydoyle’s best team here with the horse. Aidan is pretty happy with what’s going on down here but we also have a lot of horses in Melbourne and if he comes down he’d then head down to Melbourne to see how they’re progressing as well. We’ll decide tonight.
U S Navy Flag’s start in The Everest will be O’Brien’s first runner in Sydney but that’s not the case for Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate winning jockey Ryan Moore, who’ll ride the horse.
“It says plenty about The Everest when Ryan decides to come down to Australia,” Magnier said. With all the top races going on around the world at the moment, he wants to be here. He has decision on the Coolmore horses so it was his decision to come down to ride the horse. Ryan will be here on Thursday night. Moore is one of the world’s great jockeys, accomplished on every continent with 118 Group I wins to his name.
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Dewhurst U-Turn on the cards for Ten Sovereigns
9th October
Unbeaten juvenile Ten Sovereigns has come into contention for Saturday's Dewhurst Stakes after the Middle Park Group One Winner's trainer admitted there could be a change of plans.
Aidan "Although we stated after his Middle Park win that Ten Sovereigns was probably finished for the season, he came out of the race very well and it's quite possible he will go to the Dewhurst. We're thinking about it, and a decision will be made probably on Wednesday. The plan is to run Anthony Van Dyck, while Christmas and Royal Lodger winner Mohawk are also possibles.
Aidan added that Southern France, who finished third behind stablemate Kew Gardens in the St Leger last month, is under consideration for the Dubai £500,000 Cesarewitch, also at Newmarket on Saturday.
"He's a possible at this stage and we'll decide in a day or two," said the trainer.
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Waldgeist becomes 34th member of the Galileo Millionaires Club
Leading Sires GB & IRE Tables Updated
British Flat Trainers Championship Updated
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Ballydoyle responsible for 8 of 12 left in Dewhurst including AVD
8th October
Aidan O'Brien is responsible for eight of the 12 horses left in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
The Group One showpiece has provided an endless stream of future stars, with Frankel, Dawn Approach, Churchill and US Navy Flag all striking in the last 10 years alone.
O'Brien trained Churchill and US Navy Flag and while not appearing keen on running Ten Sovereigns in the immediate aftermath of his victory in the Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs, he has been left in.
As has Anthony Van Dyck, second in the National Stakes to Quorto last time out.
The Ballydoyle trainer can also call on Cape Of Good Hope, Christmas, Mohawk, Sydney Opera House, Van Beethoven and Western Australia.
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AVD set for Dewhurst Clash with Too Darn Hot
7th October
Aidan has confirmed that Anthony Van Dyck is in line to take on Too Darn Hot in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket next Saturday.
The National Stakes runner-up was expected to run in todays Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp but has swerved the race in favor of a run in the Dewhurst.
Aidan said: “Anthony Van Dyck is the main horse we’re looking at for the Dewhurst. We could run Christmas as well and then we’ll have a close look at the others we have entered in the race during the week.
- Dewhurst Stakes – (6) – Rock of Gibraltar (2001), Beethoven (2009), War Command (2013) Air Force Blue (2015) Churchill (2016) US Navy Flag (2017)
Moyglare Stud Stakes 3rd Zagitova and Weld Park Stakes Group 3 winner Hermosa are likely to represent Aidan in Friday's Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket.
- Fillies' Mile – (5) – Sunspangled (1998), Listen (2007) Together Forever (2014) Minding (2015) Rhododendron (2016)
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Ballydoyle quintet bid for arc glory
6th October
Kew Gardens leads a five-strong team for Aidan O’Brien into battle in this year’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
It is 11 years since the Ballydoyle handler first claimed Europe’s premier middle-distance prize with Dylan Thomas.
O’Brien doubled his tally with Found in 2016 and launches another strong assault, numerically at least, on the ParisLongchamp showpiece on Sunday.
Kew Gardens is the yard’s chief hope under Ryan Moore after providing his trainer with a sixth victory in the St Leger at Doncaster three weeks ago.
O’Brien told Press Association Sport: “Everything has gone well since the Leger and we’ve been happy with him since.
“He has won around Longchamp – he won the Grand Prix de Paris there. He seems to be in good form.
“We were training him for the King George in the middle of the summer and he just had a setback with the rest of the horses (stable bug), so that’s why he didn’t get to go there.”
The apparent second string is Donnacha O’Brien’s mount Capri, who won last year’s St Leger before beating just one home in the Arc at Chantilly.
The grey son of Galileo made a successful start to the current campaign in the Alleged Stakes at Naas in April, but has run just once since, finishing fifth of six in the Prix Foy over this course and distance last month.
O’Brien added: “We thought that he would improve nicely from the last day and we’ve been happy with him since.”
Magical (Wayne Lordan), Hunting Horn (Seamie Heffernan) and big outsider Nelson (Michael Hussey) complete the quintet.
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Impressive Never No More breaks his maiden tag in Dundalk maiden
Another promising one for No Nay Never - €300,000 buy Never No More stretches out to win well on his second start for the @Ballydoyle team at @DundalkStadium:
Healy Racing Photos
Leading first-season sire No Nay Never put another winner on the board when Never No More looked smart in justifying odds of 4/7 in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race (Plus 10 Race) at Dundalk.
Champion jockey elect Donnacha O'Brien was aboard this Naas second placer for his father Aidan, and he asserted inside the last to beat Chicago May by three and a quarter lengths.
"He's smart. He impressed me there, I hadn't ridden him a whole lot at home," said the winning jockey.
"He had a good run the last day behind a decent horse and he made no mistake today. He feels smart.
"He travelled smooth, he's still a little bit raw, and when I hit him a flick he quickened up nicely.
"I think he'll be a fast horse, five or six."
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US Navy Flag’s prep in full flow for Everest
5th October
US Navy Flag’s preparation for the $13 million The TAB Everest steps up a gear with a solid track gallop at Canterbury on Friday.
Coolmore’s Tom Magnier confirmed US Navy Flag is scheduled to have a fast workout on Friday morning, provided the track conditions are not too wet.
US Navy Flag, trained by Irish genius Aidan O’Brien, has settled in well at the Canterbury quarantine training and stabling facility where the triple Group 1-winning sprinter has exclusive use of the course proper.
But with the weather bureau predicting plenty of rain in Sydney over the next week or so, Magnier is unsure how US Navy Flag will adapt if the track conditions are wet on Everest Day.
“US Navy Flag won the July Cup on firm ground but if we get a rain-affected track for The Everest, that is a bit of an unknown,’’ Magnier said.
“But we have been praying for this rain for months and we are finally getting some good rain up the Hunter (Valley) so no one is complaining.’’
US Navy Flag’s English jockey Ryan Moore is expected in Sydney later next week, most likely Thursday or Friday morning but it is still unclear if O’Brien will make the trip.
“I sent Aidan a copy of the Trek To The Everest show about U S Navy Flag which he watched with his son, Joseph back in Ireland,’’ Magnier said.
“Aidan told me there is nothing like the coverage The Everest gets anywhere in the world and he is genuinely excited about having US Navy Flag in the race.’’
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Our 18th Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 14 Ballydoyle Residents in the rankings.
Huge thanks to Timeform - website
> https://www.timeform.com/
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Season Stats update 152 race wins 100 individual winning horses 38 multiple race winners
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A.P.O'Brien A to Z of Individual Group Winners
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Leading Sires GB & IRE Tables Updated
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British Flat Trainers Championship Updated
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Ballydoyle Resident up for sale in the Autumn horses in training sale at Tattersalls
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Flag of Honour will be supplemented in Long Distance Cup
3 October
Aidan O’Brien is ready to supplement Irish St Leger hero Flag Of Honour for the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.
The Ballydoyle handler has nine entries for the two-mile contest, including Kew Gardens, winner of the St Leger at Doncaster.
However, he is bound for Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp and Flag Of Honour could yet emerge as the stable’s number one hope for the Long Distance Cup on Qipco British Champions Day, despite not being among the entries at this stage.
O’Brien said: “Flag Of Honour would be one we’d be thinking of sending over. The Long Distance Cup over two miles is what we have in mind for him.”
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How did she get up there!? Sister to four-time Group 1 winner Winter, Snowflakes gets off the mark for @Ballydoyle and Seamie Heffernan at @corkracecourse:
HEALEY RACING PHOTOS
The well-bred Snowflakes swooped close home to open her account in the mile maiden at Cork.
Aidan O'Brien's charge was sent off 9/4 favourite on better ground today having failed to make much impression in testing conditions on her return at Listowel last month.
She was under pressure in third over a furlong from home but picked up nicely in the closing stages, under Seamus Heffernan, to pip Minnie Haha near the line and record a neck success.
The Galileo filly is a full-sister to four-timer Group 1 winner Winter and to the juvenile Frosty, who made a winning debut at Dundalk last week.
Heffernan said:- "We thought a lot of her but had an injury and got tired the last day at Listowel.
“I was expecting her to get tired again today so I didn't want to get there and get passed again but I hit the line well.
"She has a very good pedigree and was highly tried on her first two runs and then she went wrong. I won on her sister last week (Frosty) and she won impressively, so they have ability."
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Fightfortheroses brings up Ballydoyle double at Naas
Off the mark - closely related to Derby winner Pour Moi, Fightfortheroses is a winner for @Ballydoyle and @donnacha_obrien at @NaasRacecourse:
Fightfortheroses justified favouritism in the mile and a half maiden at Naas and gave Aidan O'Brien a double on the card.
He looked to be vulnerable to the strong-travelling Crecerelle at the two marker but found plenty when asked for his effort racing to the final furlong.
It boiled down to a match with Crecerelle at the business end but Fighfortheroses saw it out best to score by a length and a quarter at even money.
Runner-up Crecerelle was a 5/1 shot. He was four lengths ahead of Leaderboard (13/2).
Jockey Donnacha O'Brien said: "The step up in trip suited. He's genuine and he stays well.
“He found plenty for a bit of pressure. He handles soft ground as well so he's versatile enough.
“He's no world beater but he's a grand horse and he tries hard.”
HEALEY RACING PHOTOS
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Norway breaks maiden tag in style at Naas
Brother to Derby winner Ruler Of The World, Norway gets off the mark in style for @Ballydoyle at @NaasRacecourse...
Norway drew further and further clear in the final furlong of the juvenile maiden over a mile in Naas to post a decisive victory.
The Galileo colt soon led for Seamie Heffernan and was ridden under three furlongs out as I Am Superman tracked him in second.
The latter edged left when he came under the whip in the final quarter of a mile and could make no impression on the leader.
Norway kept up the gallop and drew clear by the furlong pole. He then stretched away to score by six and a half lengths at 7/2.
Bellakris stayed on for second at 25/1 from Rakan at 14/1.
Seamie Heffernan said: “He improved from his first run and improved from his second run.
“The horse that won in the Curragh the last day (Sydney Opera House) was placed in a Group 2 since. I expected him to win and he won well. He put his head down and galloped out.
“He's probably a mile-and-a-quarter to a mile-and-a-half horse. He's lazy, laid-back and he's very easy to like and manage.”
HEALEY RACING PHOTOS