Cougar Mountain will be Aidan O'Brien's representative in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.
The Fastnet Rock colt ran a career-best when third behind Solow in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and will step to a mile and a quarter for the first time at the weekend.
O'Brien took out his dual 2000 Guineas hero Gleneagles, who is expected to run next against Solow in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
The Ballydoyle trainer said of Cougar Mountain: "We will step him up in trip now and he'll go for the Eclipse," said O'Brien.
In the absence of New Bay, five horses stood their ground for the Group One feature, led by unbeaten Investec Derby hero Golden Horn.
His form was boosted by the brilliant performance of his stablemate and Epsom runner-up Jack Hobbs in the 150th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday.
Golden Horn bids to become the first three-year-old winner of 10-furlong showpiece since John Oxx's Sea The Stars in 2009.
Trainer John Gosden has been delighted with the unbeaten son of Cape Cross since his Classic success.
"Frankie (Dettori) was thrilled with his work on Saturday morning. He did a lovely seven furlongs on the watered gallop with a good older horse rated 118 and he skipped clear of him," the Newmarket handler told At The Races.
"He's in good order and at the moment touch wood he's going the right way."
Gosden has also left in Western Hymn, who is a three-times winner over the course and distance.
The four-year-old was third in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot on his latest start and is set to renew rivalry with The Grey Gatsby who finished two and three-quarter lengths ahead of him in second place when just short-headed by Free Eagle.
The other possible is Andrew Balding's admirable seven-year-old Tullius.
Between 1999 and 2009 O'Brien trained 10 of the 11 winners of this race with only Jim Bolger's Democratic Deficit breaking the domination in 2004. However, Alfred Nobel in 2009, was O'Brien's last winner of this six furlong Group Two before today.< Painted Cliffs went off 7/1 as a strong word at the track for Jessica Harrington's Rockaway Valleysaw his price slashed to 11/8 favourite on the off.
Log Out Island broke smartly and led as Painted Cliffs tracked him in second withArgentero close behind in third and Rockaway Valley fourth. Saafarr was pulled up at halfway when trailing in rear.< Painted Cliffs drew upsides a couple of furlongs out and moved on with a furlong and a half to negotiate. Moore drove him clear inside the last furlong and the pair put two and three quarter lengths on Rockaway Valley.
The runner-up was off the bridle beyond the two pole and could make no impression on the winner but stayed on for second, ahead of Log Out Island.
Ryan Moore said: "I was very impressed with him. He travelled very well and I thought really I just had the Godolphin horse (Log Out Island) to beat. I got him off the bridle and I was there too soon. It was impressive. He's a nice colt."
Aidan O'Brien said: "We liked him before he ever ran but he disappointed the first day and Joseph said he was very idle and babyish. We put the blinkers on him at Leopardstown to help him concentrate, and I wasn't sure if it was just a bad race or that the blinkers worked.
"Ryan said he's a very nice horse. He likes him. Maybe we could leave the blinkers off him in future."< Painted Cliffs was given a first show of 25/1 for the 2,000 Guineas by Paddy Power and BoyleSports.
This was Aidan O'Brien's 12th winner of the Railway Stakes. Vincent O'Brien holds the record with 14 victories.
Aidan O'Brien pleased with Curragh ground ahead of Irish Derby
Last Updated: 26/06/15 6:53pm
Qualify: One of four runners for Aidan O'Brien
Views from connections ahead of the 150th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday.
Aidan O'Brien declared the track at the Curragh in "beautiful condition" as he prepares to take on Investec Derby runner-up Jack Hobbs with a four-pronged attack on the 150th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday.
Qualify, a shock 50-1 winner of the Oaks at Epsom, is part of the O'Brien team as he chases an astonishing 12th success in the showpiece mile-and-a-half event.
The number one hope on jockey bookings appears to be French Derby runner-up Highland Reel, with Ryan Moore riding on the crest of a wave following his astonishing week at Royal Ascot.
Colm O'Donoghue keeps the ride on Qualify, while Epsom Derby fourth and sixth, Giovanni Canaletto and Kilimanjaro, are partnered by Joseph O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan respectively.
O'Brien, who has won eight of the last nine runnings, said on Friday evening: "I walked the full mile and a half of the Derby track and it is in beautiful condition. They have done a good job.
"All four horses are in good form, and it will be interesting to see how Highland Reel gets on stepping up in distance. I think he'll get the trip.
"The race at Epsom probably came a bit too quick for Giovanni Canaletto, while Kilimanjaro has come forward well and I think a small field will suit him better.
"Qualify is the interesting one. Colm gave her a lovely ride in the Oaks, and the last furlong she came home very strong. The Curragh will suit her."
Alice Springs (15/8 into 6/4) lived up to expectations on debut with a lovely performance under Seamie Heffernan in the When You Want It Done, DoneDeal European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden at the Curragh.
The chestnut looked like an old hand under Seamie Heffernan, when leading on the rail from over a furlong out.
From there the daughter of Galileo strode away in the style of a classy performer to defeat Siamsaiocht by two lengths.
"You would have to be delighted with that. She's a lovely filly and will have learned plenty. We will have to think about something like the Debutante Stakes," revealed winning trainer Aidan O'Brien.
Looking ahead to the big one tomorrow, O'Brien said: "I walked the full mile and a half of the Derby track and it is in beautiful condition. They have done a good job.
"All four horses are in good form, and it will be interesting to see how Highland Reel gets on stepping up in distance. I think he'll get the trip."
Meanwhile Boylesports go 20/1 for the Guineas, and 14/1 for the Oaks, aboutAlice Springs for next year's Classics at Newmarket and Epsom respectively.
Aidan O'Brien has four chances to register an astonishing 12th success in Saturday's 150th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.
Qualify, a shock 50-1 winner of the Investec Oaks at Epsom, has been a late addition to the Classic picture, but t he number one hope on jockey bookings appears to be French Derby runner-up Highland Reel, with Ryan Moore riding on the crest of a wave following his astonishing week at Royal Ascot.
Colm O'Donoghue keeps the ride on Qualify, while Epsom Derby fourth and sixth, Giovanni Canaletto and Kilimanjaro, are partnered by Joseph O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan respectively.
O'Brien said: "Highland Reel will step up another quarter of a mile but we were happy with him in France last time and we've been happy with him since.
"We always thought she (Qualify) was a really nice filly and we always knew the minute she went beyond a mile, there was the possibility she would really step up and Epsom was the first time she went beyond a mile.
"We were obviously delighted with that and look forward to Saturday.
"Giovanni Canaletto is in good form. We felt Epsom was maybe coming a little too quick for him, but he came out of the race well and we look forward to seeing him run again on Saturday.
"Kilimanjaro ran a nice race at Epsom and the Curragh might suit him better than Epsom."
Dermot Weld's unbeaten Radanpour takes a big step up in class after winning each of his three starts this season, completing the hat-trick in Leopardstown's King George V Cup at Listed level three weeks ago.
Big-race jockey Pat Smullen said: "He'd probably want a drop of rain and hopefully they'll keep plenty of water on as he just wants a bit of ease in the ground.
"It's definitely a big step up for him, but he's been very consistent and deserves to take his chance.
"It's an open race, but if the favourite (Jack Hobbs) turns up with his run from Epsom, he'll be hard to beat.
"We're all hoping for a good run, but on the figures Radanpour has to improve a lot."
Seamie Heffernan rider of Minding (Healy Racing Photos)
Minding justified odds-on favouritism (2/5) in the opener at Leopardstown as she ran out a comfortable winner under Seamie Heffernan for Aidan O'Brien.
Second on her debut over the course earlier in the month she was dropped back a furlong to six this evening.
Settled in second she hit the front over a furlong and a half out and soon stretched clear, keeping on well inside the final furlong to win by five and a half lengths.
Newcomer The Yellow Bus (25/1) kept on well to take second under Billy Lee for David Wachman while Wachman's other runner, Know, was a disappointing last.
Seamie Heffernan said afterwards: "She gave me a nice feel and is taking the right steps. She has a bit of class and hopefully she's nice."
The winner, who is out of dual Group 1 victor Lillie Langtry, is a full-sister to Kissed By Angels who won the Group 3 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown in May while she holds an entry in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh in September.
Aidan's Has 14 in Juddmonte International - Gleneagles Cougar Mountain, Tapestry, Father Christmas, Giovanni Canaletto, Highland Reel, John F Kennedy, Kilimanjaro, Ol' Man River, Diamondsandrubies, Found, Qualify, Together Forever and Words.
Aidan's Has 7 in Nassu Stakes - Diamondsandrubies, Qualify, Together Forever Outstanding, Easter, Wedding Vow and Words.
Colm O'Donoghue gained big race glory with Qualify in the English Oaks recently and added the featured Listed Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Naas Oaks Trial to that tally at Naas today, steering Outstanding to an all the way win for trainer Aidan O'Brien.
The sister to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Magician made all in her two and three parts of a length win over Stellar Glow and in the end showed a willing attitude.
O'Donoghue, whose biggest winner was in the Irish Derby with Treasure Beach in 2011, later stated "she's done it really well and went a nice even pace. She kept pulling it out and galloped all the way to the line.
"She's tough and genuine and is a sister to Magician, who was probably best at ten furlongs. She should get a mile and a half."
Mayo footballer and sponsor of the card at Ballinrobe, Donal Vaughan, with Joseph O'Brien (Healy Racing Photos)
There were a couple backed in opposition to the favourite, Sherlock Holmes (11/8), but there was no disputing the Galileo colt's superiority on the track as he brought up a double for Ballydoyle, at Ballinrobe, in the Vaughanshoes.ie European Breeders Fund Maiden.
Ana O'Brien had been on the mark an hour earlier on Best Kept Secret and her brother Joseph took the reins on Sherlock Holmes.
The chestnut came forward nicely from a Curragh debut fifth placing to make all in this mile five event.
Creative Talent (around 14s earlier on into 6s) loomed up threateningly leaving the back straight and Sherlock Holmes briefly looked vulnerable when moving a little wide.
However the 'jolly' was too strong from over a furlong out and he went on to beatPincode andp>Creative Talent by two and three parts of a length and a length and a half.
"He stays well and he has a good attitude. He handled the track quite well considering it was only his second run," said Joseph.
"Hopefully he might progress. If the handicapper isn't too hard on him there might be a handicap at Galway for him or something, I'm not sure."
Best Kept Secret sees it out well under Ana O'Brien (orange and blue) (Healy Racing Photos)
There was a real family success in the vaughanshoes.ie Jennings Meats Handicap as the O'Brien's Best Kept Secret just held on under 7Ib apprentice Ana in race two on Ladies Day at Ballinrobe.
Big morning market mover Maknificent (coughing post race) was easier to back on track and he pulled up in the back straight, whilst another 'lively one' earlier in the day, Forever Scotland, never threatened.
At the business end Best Kept Secret, bred by Aidan and Annmarie's Whisperview Trading Limited, came out on top over a host of horses that still held chances until late on.
Fran Berry, bidding for a double after his first race win on Wider World, flew home from towards the rear on Buzz Off Barroso, but the line came in time for Best Kept Secretwho was half a length up.
Joseph O'Brien said of the Ballydoyle winner in the aftermath: "We thought he was nicely handicapped. It took a while for the penny to drop with him and it's nice to win with him. He might get another."
Nine possibles remain in the mix for Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby - headed by Epsom runner-up Jack Hobbs.
Immediately after he chased home stable companion Golden Horn in the Investec Derby, John Gosden had his eyes on this prize and he is the odds-on favourite to go one better.
Adding colour to the occasion, though, is the possible participation of a couple of fillies, including Oaks heroine Qualify.
A shock 50-1 winner at Epsom for Aidan O'Brien, she earned a 'win-and-you're-in' ticket when scoring on the Downs and has been added to the Curragh field.
Jim Bolger could run his Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Pleascach, though she was turned over in the Ribblesdale at Ascot last week. Like Jack Hobbs, she now wears the Godolphin blue.
As well as Qualify, O'Brien could run Giovanni Canaletto, fourth at Epsom, French Derby runner-up Highland Reel and Kilimanjaro.
Storm The Stars, who ran such a good race to be third behind Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs, is a possible for William Haggas, while the unbeaten Radanpour is set to be Dermot Weld's representative.
Carbon Dating, eighth at Epsom, completes the list.
Aidan O'Brien is set to add Epsom Oaks winner Qualify to his team for this Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock was a shock 50-1 winner of the fillies' Classic earlier this month, a victory which entitles her to a free entry into the Irish Derby thanks to the new 'win and you're in' incentive associated with certain races in the build-up to the prestigious event.
O'Brien, who has won the Curragh prize an incredible 11 times, plans to supplement Qualify on Tuesday and will also confirm at least four other horses in Epsom Derby fourth Giovanni Canaletto, Prix du Jockey Club runner-up Highland Reel, Lingfield Derby Trial winner Kilimanjaro and Chester Vase winner Hans Holbein.
"Qualify is in good form since Epsom and John and Chantal (owners) would like to let her take her chance," said the Ballydoyle handler.
Air Vice Marshal was all the rage for the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Gowran Park and duly justified short odds with some style.
The son of War Front kept on to take third on debut at the Curragh a fortnight ago, and early morning offers of 4/9 looked good value as the 1/4 favourite showed the benefit of that outing for a convincing victory.
Listowel runner-up Hoppala set the pace in this seven-furlong event but was headed a furlong out by the Ballydoyle representative, and Joseph O'Brien had no worries as his ount came home a very comfortable two and a half lengths clear.
Haraz made a pleasing debut, keeping on a further two and a half lengths adrift in third.
Joseph O'Brien said, "He ran a nice race the first day and came on plenty at home since.
"The step up to seven furlongs helped and that looks his trip at the minute and he can now step up to Group company."
"The ground is beautiful and safe and on the quick side of good."
Aidan O'Brien has been enjoying an excellent opening four days at Royal Ascot this week and, in that time, added another three winners in Ireland, as his Loved completed the Champion Trainer's double in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Limerick today.
O'Brien's five high profile (Gleneagles, Washington DC, War Envoy, Waterloo Bridge, Aloft) Royal Ascot winners have been achieved in the same period as his Painted Cliff (Leopardstown on Tuesday), Jacobean and Loved (both at Limerick today) each won in Ireland.
Both Jacobean and Loved were ridden by Seamie Heffernan and after Loved had won, the jockey stated "she is a lovely filly and won easy. She's not over-big but has a big heart and can step up to Stakes company in the future."
Jacobean and Seamie Heffernan win (Healy Racing Photos)
As Ballydoyle's Aloft was helping Ryan Moore to record-breaking heights over at Royal Ascot, the County Tipperary superpower was keeping things ticking over on home-soil with the Seamie Heffernan ridden Jacobean (5/4 favourite), winner of the opening Croom House Stud Maiden at Limerick.
His accomplishment, equipped with first-time tongue-strap, in defeating Chenega Bay, by two lengths, mightn't have been the most pleasing on the eye, but that'll matter little to the son of High Chaparral's supporters or connections.
"He took a few runs to come to himself, like a few of ours, but hopefully he has now and can step up to Listed and Group class," said Heffernan.
Lester Piggott set the previous post-war best of eight winners in 1965 before repeating the feat a decade a later and Pat Eddery matched that total in 1989.
Aidan O'Brien's three-year-old was the 5-2 favourite for the two-mile contest, despite stepping up a full mile in distance and making his first start since finishing second in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October.
Moore rode a patient race aboard the market leader before asking for maximum effort from the home turn.
It was hard work over the marathon distance, but Aloft responded admirably considering his lengthy absence and got up to beat Tommy Docc and Future Empire by half a length and the same.
Moore said: "It was a very messy race, I was slowly away and in a bad position and having to pick my way, he was a bit rusty all the way round.
"He's a fair horse this fellow. He's open to all sorts of improvement, it's his first run of the year and you wouldn't know where he could end up.
"I'm very lucky, I get to ride the best horses and that makes a big difference."
Moore added: "It (the record) is not something you think about, we'll think about tomorrow then worry about this."
O'Brien said: "It was his first time over the trip, but he got there lovely.
"He's that (St Leger) type of horse. He stays and likes fast ground and got the trip very well.
Painted Cliffs keeps up the gallop under Donnacha O'Brien from Sikandarabad and Leigh Roche (Healy Racing Photos)
It was pretty appropriate as a son of triple Royal Ascot winner and now first-season sire, Canford Cliffs, that Painted Cliffs (9/4) would score at Leopardstown tonight, landing the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden under Donnacha O'Brien (7Ib claim now reduced to five).
The Ballydoyle colt, blinkered after a debut eighth placing at the Curragh on 1,000 Guineas Day, saw out the six furlong trip well to defeat Sikandarabad by a length and a quarter.
Favourite Mint Chai failed by some way to come up to expectations in last place.
"That's it gone now (the seven pound claim) and it should make the weight a bit easier - 2Ibs down - it's nice," reflected O'Brien.
"I thought he had a good squeak. He was very green on his debut. He loved the quick ground and he has plenty of pace. He was professional today with the blinkers on him.
"It's beautiful good ground - it felt lovely on him anyway."
War Envoy and Ryan Moore nearside (Healy Racing Photos)
Ryan Moore landed his eighth Royal Ascot winner in the first three days of the meeting when the 10/1 shot War Envoy finished with a flourish to claim the Britannia Handicap.
Two runners from the far side group fought out the finish and War Envoy touched off Udododontu right on the line to give Moore a treble on the day and trainer Aidan O’Brien a double.
The field split into two groups and Auspicion took them along on the near side but the overall leader appeared to be Bow And Arrow, who took the far side group along.
Udododontu (14/1) travelled well and surged into the lead in the closing stages but War Envoy charged home under the unstoppable Moore and got up in the final strides to score by a neck.
Sacrificial (28/1) ran a great race to lead home the near-side group and finished a length further back in third, with Carry On Deryck (33/1) taking fourth place.
The winner was enjoying a significant drop in class, having had his last three runs in the Craven Stakes, the French 2000 Guineas and the French Derby.
Moore said: “It was a bit tricky. I was hoping they wouldn't split as uneven as that and there wasn't as many horses as I would have liked (on the far side).
"They got well strung out but fortunately we had the speed on our side. They got racing a long way out and I just kept waiting and, fortunately, I didn't find traffic this time (he had met trouble in running in the Gold Cup earlier).
"He's a miler and loves fast ground and loves a strong pace. When he's running in those Group races it doesn't always unfold that way, but he's got plenty of ability."
It was a fourth winner of the meeting for O'Brien, who added: "I'm delighted. We probably did all the wrong things with him, running him in soft ground and over a mile and quarter. It took us a good while to learn what way to ride him.
"Obviously a mile on fast ground and taking our time on him (works) and Ryan gave him an absolute peach of a ride.
"What can I say about Ryan? He's a marvellous jockey, probably the greatest jockey I've ever seen. He's a total professional and fully committed. He has a great feel about a horse and a great feel about a race.
"We've worked with him very closely for the last three years and we're privileged he's riding for us."
Waterloo Bridge wins the Norfolk under Ryan Moore (Healy Racing Photos)
Waterloo Bridge came home best to cause a minor upset in the Norfolk Stakes on day three of Royal Ascot as Ryan Moore's domination of the meeting continued.
The betting was all about Richard Hannon's runners, with the champion trainer responsible for 11-8 favourite King Of Rooks and his main market rival Log Out Island (13-8).
The market principals were both smartly away in the five-furlong Group Two and threatened to control it from the front, but the more patiently-ridden Waterloo Bridge, a 12-1 shot for Aidan O'Brien, swooped by in the final furlong and was well on top at the finish.
Log Out Island was half a length away in second, with the same distance back to his stable companion in third.
Moore, riding his sixth winner of the week, said: "The strong pace suited us, but to be fair to this horse, he'd probably never run on quick ground and it's brought about improvement. He's been running on soft ground and not enjoying it.
"This horse looked magnificent, every one of Aidan's this week has run great and you can never discount them.
"He's a good horse and gave me a great feel the whole way. He had a little look when he got to the front, but he's been produced in terrific shape. He travelled like the best horse in the race and when I asked him to win it he went.
"The ground is still fast."
O'Brien said: "He was always a very fast horse at home and always travelled very strong in his work.
"He used to get there (the front) and swerve a little bit. The last day in Tipperary he came through and won very easily and I had a hood on him and Joseph (O'Brien) said he was ready to have the hood off.
"He wanted a fast pace and like all those Zoffanys he has a lot of natural speed and he travelled very strong.
"Ryan gave him a great ride. He came with a lovely clear run and got there late on him, we're delighted.
"He's a fast horse and fast horses usually want fast ground. We could go to Goodwood or somewhere like that."
Hannon felt his placed pair may have gone a little too hard in front.
He said: "They both ran good races. Log Out Island will get six furlongs.
"They might have gone a bit quick and set it up for the winner."
Harry Herbert, racing manager to Al Shaqab Racing, who owned the beaten favourite King Of Rooks, said: "Sadly they cut each other's throats.
"Frankie (Dettori), wonderfully honest, said 'sorry'. They took each other on and went too quick.
"There are no immediate plans. We'll find the right spot for him. It didn't quite go right there, but we'll be back."
The market was dominated by the Richard Hannon-trained duo Log Out Island (13/8) and King Of Rooks (11/8f) but they could not hold off the Aidan O’Brien-trained winner in the final furlong and had to settle for second and third.
Log Out Island set the early pace under William Buick but King Of Rooks and Frankie Dettori were in close proximity and the two market leaders were prominent throughout.
Waterloo Bridge raced in mid-division but responded well when asked to challenge by Moore and he stayed on powerfully down the middle of the track to lead inside the last en route to victory by half a length.
Log Out Islands won the battle of the Hannon duo, taking second place by half a length, and the 33/1 shot Riflescope ran a good race to take fourth for trainer Mark Johnston, whose juveniles are in fine fettle.
Waterloo Bridge had only broken his maiden at the fourth attempt last time out but the son of Zoffany now seems to be a colt going places.
It was a sixth winner of the week already for Moore, who said: "The strong pace suited us but, to be fair to this horse, he'd probably never run on quick ground and it's brought about improvement. He's been running on soft ground and not enjoying it.
"This horse looked magnificent. Every one of Aidan's this week has run great and you can never discount them.
"He's a good horse and gave me a great feel the whole way. He had a little look when he got to the front, but he's been produced in terrific shape. He travelled like the best horse in the race and, when I asked him to win, it he went."
O'Brien added: "He was always a very fast horse at home and always travelled very strong in his work.
"He used to get there (the front) and swerve a little bit. The last day in Tipperary he came through and won very easily and I had a hood on him, and Joseph (O'Brien) said he was ready to have the hood off.
"He wanted a fast pace and, like all those Zoffanys, he has a lot of natural speed.
"He's a fast horse and fast horses usually want fast ground. We could go to Goodwood or somewhere like that."
Hannon thought his duo may have set too strong a pace.
"They might have gone a bit quick and set it up for the winner," he said. "They both ran good races. Log Out Island will get six furlongs."
And Harry Herbert, racing manager to Al Shaqab Racing, who owned beaten favourite King Of Rooks, said: "Sadly, they cut each other's throats.
"Frankie (Dettori, who rode the favourite), wonderfully honest, said 'sorry'. They took each other on and went too quick."
Aidan O'Brien has been "very happy" with Foundahead of Friday's Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Despite not making her debut until last August, she made great strides in 2014.
On just her second outing she was beaten less than a length in the Moyglare Stud Stakes before running out an impressive winner of the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp.
A setback in the spring meant the Guineas at Newmarket came too soon for her, but she ran just a day later in Group Three company when she was surprisingly beaten.
She showed more on her next start in the Irish Guineas when just held off by Pleascach and a crack at the Oaks was bypassed to run in this race.
"We were absolutely delighted with her (at the Curragh). She ran a great race and finished really well. We've been very happy since," said the Ballydoyle handler.
"She stepped up nicely from her first run at the Curragh.
"Obviously she'll stay at a mile for this race, but we might step up after that. She won around Longchamp going right-handed so hopefully she will be OK at Ascot."
Ryan Moore will be in the saddle and told Racing UK: "Things just haven't quite worked out for her so far this year, but I'm hopeful she goes to Ascot with a very good chance. We think a lot of her."
Ol' Man River bids to get a disappointing season back on track in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The three-year-old is certainly bred for the job as a son of Montjeu out of dual Guineas-winning mare Finsceal Beo and he looked every inch a Classic contender after winning in each of his two juvenile starts, including the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.
However, he finished tailed off as stable companion Gleneagles stole the show in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and he also failed to get competitive in a strong renewal of the Dante at York.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien is keeping his fingers crossed his charge can show his true colours for the first time this year in Friday's Group Two contest.
He said: "There was something amiss with Ol Man River but we have given him a break. He has bounced back from York and we have been happy with him since.
"For whatever the reason, I couldn't get the Derby horses to come to hand. "
Ol' Man River and Ryan Moore are opposed by six rivals, with the master of Ballydoyle also saddling recent Roscommon scorer Father Christmas, who is the mount of Joseph O'Brien.
The Coolmore colours of owner Michael Tabor are also carried by Stravagante, who was supplemented by Sir Michael Stoute following his stunning victory in an Epsom handicap on Derby day.
He will be partnered by Frankie Dettori for the first time.
Acapulco and Ryan Moore winning the Queen Mary Stakes (Healy Racing Photos)
American challenger Acapulco landed some very hefty bets in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The giant Wesley Ward-trained filly was heavily supported as the 5-2 favourite for the five-furlong Group Two and broke smartly in the hands of Ryan Moore, who was partnering his fourth winner of the meeting.
While stable companion Bruised Orange blazed a trail on the other side of the track, Acapulco led the group racing towards the stands side and quickened up from two furlongs out to leave her rivals toiling.
Easton Angel ran a blinder to fill the runner-up spot and was easily best of those racing away from the market leader, but was still beaten readily by a length and a half.
Another leading fancy in Besharah finished third to give the form an extremely solid look.
Ward said: "She's a sweetheart, what a lovely filly, she really proved herself today.
"We went over all the horses at the sale and I pointed out to Mr Tabor which ones I liked and thankfully we got the right one.
"It's a huge relief to get a winner at the meeting, it's just amazing."
"I hope to inspire more Americans to come over and have a go as we've some really fast two-year-olds that come out early.
"It's such a privilege and hopefully we'll see some of the bigger trainers with better pedigrees come over.
"I was very disappointed with her first run and I did something very unconventional, I let her breeze seven days afterwards but it was the most phenomenal breeze on grass I've ever seen and thanks go to Keeneland for allowing me to do that.
"I'll talk with the owners and see what they wish to do, but she has a big future on turf."
Aidan O'Brien feels it could be a blessing in disguise John F Kennedy and Ol' Man River have failed to fire so far this season.
Although featuring prominently near the head of the ante-post markets for the 2000 Guineas and Derby, the pair have to date been a shadow of the horses they were last season.
John F Kennedy finished last in both the Ballysax Stakes and the Dante, while Ol' Man River trailed home a well-beaten last in the 2000 Guineas before finishing a place ahead of his stablemate at York.
O'Brien said: "Our Derby horses (Ol' Man River and John F Kennedy) were disappointing and went by the wayside for lots of different reasons and the horses weren't right January, February, March.
"It is hard for them to then be right for the trials and then the Derby. For the likes of Giovanni Canaletto, the Derby came too quick, obviously there was something wrong with John F Kennedy and he will have a break now and he might come back.
"Ol' Man River, there was something amiss with him, and we have given him a break and he is running here later in the week.
"If they don't get it together for the rest of the year they might stay in training next year, which would be a big advantage to us as we haven't had any four-year-olds in training this year.
"It is a lot of strain on the three-year-olds when you don't have any four-year-olds.
"I wouldn't write them off yet, they just didn't get it together in time for the Derby. I wouldn't say all is lost yet.
"I'd love to have them next year and it might be a blessing in disguise for me as I might get to have them at four."
For an operation as well oiled as Ballydoyle it would be ludicrous to think that some sort of succession planning was not in place.
After Gleneagles handed Aidan O’Brien a seventh St James’s Palace Stakes victory and a 45th Royal Ascot win in all, the trainer revealed the tantalizing possibility that sooner rather than later his son Joseph may well play a fundamental role in running Europe’s leading racing operation.
O’Brien senior has held a licence for 22 years, and he secured his first Royal Ascot win with Harbour Master in the 1997 Coventry Stakes. It seems another century ago, and the 45-year-old underlined that Joseph, and to a certain extent his other son Donnacha, have already begun to ease his workload.
“The lads are all getting older and bigger and know a lot more about everything,” he said.
“They are grabbing and I’m not stopping them taking it.
“Anything they want, they can have it. I’m very happy to be in the back seat.”
When asked to be more specific about Gleneagles, O’Brien added: “The reality is that Joseph trains him and rides him. I watch him every day. Joseph does all the work and it is very easy for me.”
Joseph O’Brien is clearly not quite ready to give up the saddle, and has ridden 84 times on the Flat in Ireland so far this season. He has ridden twice over jumps, however, and it is the management of the small and select string of National Hunt horses that has crept into his daily routine.
“He has a lot of stuff on,” O’Brien senior added. “He is with the Flat horses in the morning and the jumpers in the evening.
“He is taking my job slowly. They are taking the pressure, which is good for me.”
If Gleneagles is really trained by Joseph O’Brien, then the 22-year-old is making a fair first of his new role.
The Galileo colt became the first horses since Ballydoyle’s Henrythenavigator in 2008 to add the St James’s Palace Stakes to wins in the English and Irish Guineas.
Gleneagles may not win in a manner of flashy former stablemates Hawk Wing or George Washington, but it is his ability to see off the opposition with little fuss that marks him out as a similar type to Giant's Causeway or Rock Of Gibraltar.
Both of those horses went on to win the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, and with Solow proving a formidable winner of the Queen Anne Stakes, the new-look £1million race backed by Qatar already has its Duel On On The Downs.
"Joseph said before the race that he had him better today than at any stage, which was pleasing to hear,” O’Brien senior added about Gleneagles.
“He’s very like Giant’s Causeway in that he has the same constitution, but he has more speed. You rode Giant’s Causeway near the pace and he would grind it out, but this horse can relax and quicken.
“The boys made the decision to mark out the four races, and the plan was to come here and then go to Goodwood. If he gets to the Sussex we will then make a plan after that.
“He could get a mile and quarter. He is not very impressive, and I don’t think he will ever get a rating to match his ability.”
Ryan Moore, who had earlier tasted success on Gleneagles and Clondaw Warrior, landed a first-day treble thanks to the Zoffany colt, who was notching a second career win.
Wesley Ward's American challenger Ruby Notion set a blistering pace on the far side and Washington DC tracked from afar, steadily moving into the contest before taking up the lead inside the final furlong.
Areen emerged from the pack and lay down a stern challenge, but Washington DC had enough in hand despite moving off a true line in the closing stages.
Steady Pace stayed on well for third.
Moore said: "I'm delighted with him, he's a very fast colt.
"We probably could have gone with the American horse if I'd let him, but I wanted a lead for a bit longer.
"He had a little look around when he was left in front, but I'd say there's plenty more to come.
"He's got an awful lot of pace. He'd probably get six, but at this stage there's no real need."
Aidan O'Brien notches a Royal Ascot double. "WASHINGTON DC is very fast, all speed. Ryan gave him a great ride."
Aidan O'Brien's three-year-old was a brilliant winner at Newmarket in early May and although he was not as visually impressive in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, he was the 8-15 favourite for his latest Group One test.
Consort, taking a big step up in class following a Listed-race victory at Sandown last month, was sent straight to the lead by Frankie Dettori, closely pursued by Andre Fabre's French 2000 Guineas winner Make Believe.
Ryan Moore positioned Gleneagles in fourth place before asking him to close down the leaders early in the straight and the response was emphatic.
The son of Galileo showed thrilling acceleration to pick up Consort and he passed the post two and a half lengths clear under just hand driving.
Outsider Latharnach came through to beat Consort to the runner-up spot, with Aktabantay fourth and Make Believe a long last of the five runners.
Moore said: "He's got a very good turn of foot this horse.
"It was a muddling race, a bit messy early and Frankie got his own way in front but he made up three lengths there.
"He's just a pleasure to ride and I think he's getting better.
"He wasn't stopping there, I wasn't getting serious with him, it was hands and heels, I was delighted with him.
"He's a proper horse, you want to ride the best horses and he's about the best of his generation.
"He could get a little further but he has plenty of pace and there's no real need, I'm sure plans will be made later on."
Part-owner Michael Tabor said: "He's just done everything we hoped he would, won every once bar one and got disqualified at Longchamp, but he's special.
"There was talk about Epsom (running the Derby), but we weren't tempted in the slightest.
"We'll discuss what is next, we have so many options, it's just exciting to have a horse of this calibre."
Gleneagles is bidding to follow Rock Of Gibraltar and Henrythenavigator
PICTURE: Getty Images
Fast ground will be in favour of Gleneagles
BY TONY O’HEHIR8:21AM 16 JUN 2015
AIDAN O'BRIEN is confident his dual 2,000 Guineas heroGleneagles, the shortest priced favourite on day one of the 2015 royal meeting, can add to his tally of three Group 1s in the St James's Palace.
Victory for the 4-6 favourite would see O'Brien become the most successful trainer in the history of the race having achieved a hat-trick with Giant's Causeway, Black Minnaloushe and Rock Of Gibraltar between 2000 and 2002 and repeated the feat when Excellent Art, Henrythenavigator and Mastercraftsman won consecutive runnings from 2007 to 2009.
Impressive in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, Gleneagles had to battle for victory in the Irish equivalent and speaking on Monday O'Brien said: "We always knew Gleneagles had a lot of pace and ability but in the Irish Guineas he showed he also has a big heart.
"He had to show a lot of courage to win at the Curragh on ground that was slower than ideal. We took a chance running him on it and we got away with it. It was great it worked out.
"We've been happy with him since and his preparation has gone well. He loves fast ground and he's going there in good form."
Rock Of Gibraltar and Henrythenavigator both completed the 2,000 Guineas double at Newmarket and the Curragh before their Royal Ascot victories and Gleneagles will be attempting a similar feat when he takes on five rivals this afternoon.
Those rivals include the French 2,000 Guineas winner Make Believe, the unbeaten Consort and last year's champion juvenile Belardo. Aktabantay and Latharnach complete the field.
Wonderful Video of Duke Of Marmalade at His New Home In South Africa - The next best thing in the breeding ranks.. Duke of Marmalade.'They call him magnificent, I
Words looked a filly for the future as she overcame greenness and a 352-day absence to lift in the Munster Oaks at Cork.
The daughter of Dansili looks ready to take up one of her lofty future entries of the evidence of her performance to defeat the much more experienced and older Carla Bianca.
She holds engagements in both the Ribblesdale and Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot this week, but Aidan O'Brien did not want to throw her in at the deep end on just her second start.
Seamie Heffernan settled Words (5-2) last of four as Roheryn set the pace before Carla Bianca set sail for home two furlongs out.
He countered the move by delivering Words to challenge and asset in the final half-furlong and defeat the evens favourite, who was conceding 17lb, by three-quarters of a length.
Heffernan said: "I rode her patiently and it was a likeable performance. I was confident she was always going to win from two down. We've always liked her but she was a bit delicate.
"She's just coming now and hopefully she will keep coming. It's good, quick ground and she didn't mind it."
Dual 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles heads a field of six for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt has looked a cut above his fellow three-year-olds in picking up both Classics at Newmarket and the Curragh.
He appears to have frightened away plenty of opposition but has not scared off French 2000 Guineas hero Make Believe.
The Andre Fabre-trained colt, who was supplemented at a cost of £35,000, had his form boosted by the victory of his stablemate and Poule d'Essai des Poulains runner-up New Bay in the French Derby.
Make Believe's owner Prince Faisal also retains an interest in Belardo, with Godolphin buying into last season's champion two-year-old.
Trainer Roger Varian is praying there is still time for showers to hit the Berkshire course.
"Belardo is a big price, but we are hoping for thunderstorms to come. The horse is in super form and has come on for his run in the Irish Guineas," said Varian.
"He probably had the worst run of the race as he missed the break, then he had to loop around the field."
Sir Michael Stoute has an interesting contender in Consort, who is taking a big hike in class after winning his two starts, most recently in the Heron Stakes at Kempton.
Hugo Palmer's Solario Stakes scorer Aktabantay makes his belated seasonal debut, while Godolphin's Latharnach, trained by Charlie Appleby, completes the sextet.
Words (purple cap) pictured on her way to victory at the Curragh last June (Healy Racing Photos)
Words showed her class as she got the better of Carla Bianca in the feature at Cork this afternoon, the Group 3 Munster Oaks.
The Aidan O'Brien trained daughter of Dansili beat Raydara (subsequent Debutante Stakes winner) and Epsom Oaks winner Qualify when taking her maiden on debut at the Curragh last June.
Wearing a hood for the first time today she was settled in rear by Seamie Heffernan. She came with her challenge from two furlongs out and was pushed out to lead inside the final furlong, scoring by a cosy three parts of a length.
The winner proved friendless with punters. She was as short as 11/10 this morning but opened on-course at 9/4 before going off a 5/2 chance.
Carla Bianca, who was giving the winner over a stone, went off the even money favourite and she had to settle for second under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.
The front two went seven and a half lengths clear of Roheryn who was third under Andrea Atzeni for Ger Lyons
Seamie Heffernan: "I rode her patiently and it was a likeable performance. I was confident she was always going to win from two down. We've always liked her but she was a bit delicate.
"She's just coming now and hopefully she will keep coming. It's good, quick ground and she didn't mind it."
Irish Fillies Star In Coronation
Last Updated: June 13 2015, 13:00 BST
The Irish-trained pair of Found and Lucida are two of the star names among 14 fillies confirmed for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Found: In Coronation Stakes
Found rounded off her juvenile campaign with a Group One victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp and although she has suffered two short-priced defeats so far this year, she is set to go off as a hot favourite for Aidan O'Brien next week after being touched off by Pleascach in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
Pleascach's trainer Jim Bolger is set to saddle Lucida, who was also only narrowly denied Classic glory by Legatissimo in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Jean-Claude Rouget's French Guineas heroine Ervedya adds Gallic flair to the Group One contest.
Other possible runners include Martyn Meade's French Guineas runner-up Irish Rookie, David Elsworth's runaway Epsom scorer Arabian Queen and the John Gosden-trained Yasmeen.
Ballydoyle’s intended runners at Royal Ascot are headed by 2,000 Guineas and Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Gleneagles. Ryan Moore will ride all four horses on Day 1 and the stable selected thereafter.
American Pharoah: will stand at Coolmore's Ashford Stud after racing
PICTURE: Getty Images
Pharoah odds-on to stand for $175k-$200k
BY BLOODSTOCK WORLD STAFF2:18PM 11 JUN 2015
BETFAIR has priced American Pharoah at 8-13 to stand for a fee of between $175,000 and $200,000 during his first season at stud.
The son of Pioneerof The Nile - whose fee of $60,000 is also expected to rocket in 2016 - made history on Saturday when becoming the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.
The Bob Baffert-trained three-year-old was secured for stud duties by global breeding behemoth Coolmore following his stroll to victory in the Preakness Stakes last month, and after he secured one of racing's most coveted prizes, speculation has been rife as to what fee he will command after his retirement from racing.
Betfair spokesman Barry Orr said: "It was a major coup for Coolmore to secure American Pharoah and a lot of discussion will go into pitching him at the right price for his first two years, but at between $175,000 and $200,000, they should have breeders queuing up to service their mares - especially if he remains unbeaten this year."
The layer offers 11-4 about American Pharoah standing for less than $175,000, and 4-1 for a fee of more than $200,000.
There has also been much conjecture over the next outing for owner-breeder Ahmed Zayat's champion, with Monmouth's Haskell Invitational Stakes the 4-5 favourite, followed by Saratoga's Jim Dandy Stakes at 7-2.
Betfair is also offering 3-1 that American Pharoah will remain unbeaten in 2015.
American Pharoah initial stud fee - Betfair betting: 8-13 $175,000 to $200,000, 11-4 less than $175,000, 4-1 more than $200,000
American Pharoah's next race - Betfair betting: 4-5 Haskell Invitational, Monmouth, August 2, 7-2 The Jim Dandy, Saratoga, August 1, 4-1 Pacific Classic, Del Mar, August 22, 7-1 Travers, Saratoga, August 29, 10-1 bar
American Pharoah to remain unbeaten this year - Betfair betting: 3-1
Aidan O'Brien takes the wraps off the promising Words in Sunday's Munster Oaks at Cork.
The beautifully-bred Dansili filly is out of Irish Oaks winner Moonstone and looked potentially very smart when winning on her debut at the Curragh last June.
She beat Mick Halford's Raydara there, herself a very smart youngster, but has not been seen again since.
O'Brien had mooted starting her off in the Ribblesdale Stakes but thought better of that when the opportunity to take her to Cork came up, although she retains her Royal Ascot engagement.
She is also entered in the Pretty Polly and Irish Oaks later in the summer.
"It would have been a bit much running in the Ribblesdale for her first run," said O'Brien.
"Sunday will be a nice introduction. We're very happy with her, we just felt that asking her to go in the Ribblesdale first time out might have been a bit much."
Just four go to post with Dermot Weld's Carla Bianca, progressive last year, the chief threat.
Having won two Listed races and a Group Three last summer, much was expected of her on her return at Gowran but she could only manage fourth behind subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Legatissimo.
Ger Lyons' Roheryn is not without a chance, having finished third in the Blandford Stakes last season. She was fourth to Jim Bolger's Answered on her return.
The Patrick Prendergast-trained Maid Of The Glens completes the quartet.
Aidan O'Brien looks set to keep one-time leading Derby contender Sir Isaac Newton to seven furlongs at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.
Having skipped a possible engagement at Navan this weekend, the Galileo colt is poised for the Jersey Stakes at the big five-day meeting, although he also holds an engagement in the St James's Palace Stakes over a mile 24 hours earlier.
O'Brien said: "It's very possible he'll go straight for the Jersey. You'd imagine that he'll get much further but he shows a lot of pace at home."
Sir Isaac Newton had gone into winter quarters much fancied for Epsom having finished second to Zawraq at Leopardstown on his sole two-year-old outing.
He reappeared in a maiden at Chester's May meeting but suffered a shock reverse at odds of 1-6, before getting his career back on track with a smooth success in a seven-furlong maiden at Gowran.
Aidan O'Brien takes the wraps off the promising Words in Sunday's Munster Oaks at Cork.
The beautifully-bred Dansili filly is out of Irish Oaks winner Moonstone and looked potentially very smart when winning on her debut at the Curragh last June.
She beat Mick Halford's Raydara there, herself a very smart youngster, but has not been seen again since.
O'Brien had mooted starting her off in the Ribblesdale Stakes but thought better of that when the opportunity to take her to Cork came up, although she retains her Royal Ascot engagement.
She is also entered in the Pretty Polly and Irish Oaks later in the summer.
"It would have been a bit much running in the Ribblesdale for her first run," said O'Brien.
"Sunday will be a nice introduction. We're very happy with her, we just felt that asking her to go in the Ribblesdale first time out might have been a bit much."
Just four go to post with Dermot Weld's Carla Bianca, progressive last year, the chief threat.
Having won two Listed races and a Group Three last summer, much was expected of her on her return at Gowran but she could only manage fourth behind subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Legatissimo.
Ger Lyons' Roheryn is not without a chance, having finished third in the Blandford Stakes last season. She was fourth to Jim Bolger's Answered on her return.
The Patrick Prendergast-trained Maid Of The Glens completes the quartet.
Minding (Purple Colours on Inside) Made a promising debut tried to do it the hard way went off in the lead from the start and showed plenty of potential just picked off late on by an impressive winner think the team will be happy enough with that start alot more to come from Minding.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Cougar Mountain is the only potential Irish runner in Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot after featuring among 11 confirmations for the Group 1 mile event.
The Fastnet Rock colt ran some promising races at the highest level last year and although yet to fire in two starts so far this term, he wasn't beaten far in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last time and remains a smart prospect.
French ace Solow and Hong Kong superstar Able Friend remain on course for a mouthwatering clash as they stood their ground at the latest forfeit stage.
Solow was a brilliant winner of the Dubai Turf at Meydan in late March and is set to go off the red-hot favourite after after an equally stunning display in last month's Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp.
Victory would provide trainer Freddy Head with a second victory in the Royal Ascot curtain-raiser following the magnificent mare Goldikova's triumph in 2010.
John Moore's Able Friend is almost untouchable in his homeland and adds intrigue to what promises to be a thrilling contest.
Andre Fabre's mare Esoterique is another possible raider from across the Channel.
Heading the home challenge is Richard Hannon's Night Of Thunder.
Last year's 2000 Guineas hero made a successful return in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and is set to be reopposed by his stable companion and Newbury runner-up Toormore.
Lockinge third Arod is also in the mix after subsequently winning the Diomed Stakes at Epsom in some style for Peter Chapple-Hyam.
Recent Haydock winner Cable Bay, Glory Awaits, Here Comes When and Rizeena complete the acceptors.
Port Douglas made it two from two for favourite backers at Leopardstown as he took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden under Joseph O'Brien for his father Aidan.
Settled behind the leaders in third the victorious son of Galileo took closer order as they approached the straight and he was soon ridden.
He got to the front over a furlong out and kept on well under pressure to score by three and a quarter lengths.
Gleneagles - Highland Reel - Sir Isaac Newton -- The Happy Prince - War Envoy St James Palace Stakes
Cougar Mountain Queen Anne
Air Force Blue, Washinton DC & Waterloo Bridge Coventry
Washinton DC & Waterloo Bridge Windsor
Gleneagles heads St James's field
Wed 10th Jun 2015, 13:36
Gleneagles (Healy Racing Photos)
Gleneagles is among 15 entries at the six-day stage for the Group One St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The dual Guineas winner could take on another Classic hero with the Prince A. A Faisal-owned Make Believe, winner of the Poule D'Essai Des Poulains from Prix Du Jockey Club winner New Bay, supplemented.
Aidan O'Brien is responsible for five of the entries with Highland Reel, Sir Isaac Newton, The Happy Prince and War Envoy all possibles to join Gleneagles in the line up.
Andre Fabre, the trainer of Make Believe, could be double-handed himself with 2000 Guineas runner-up Territories another possible.
Godolphin could also be represented by Latharnach as well, while they have a joint interest with Prince Faisal in the shape of Belardo, trained by Roger Varian.
Richard Hannon has two entries with Estidhkaar and Ivawood potential runners.
Hugo Palmer's Aktabantay, Mick Channon's Bossy Guest and Charles Hills' Dutch Connection complete the entries.
DUAL Classic winner Gleneagles is the early front runner in the race to be crowned Horse of the Year at the 25th Cartier Awards in November.
Success in the Newmarket and Curragh versions of the 2,000 Guineas has given Gleneagles the edge over Legatissimo and the veteran Al Kazeem in the points table for the overall award, while his nearest pursuers in the Three-Year-Old Colt category are Derby hero Golden Horn and Prix du Jockey Club winner New Bay.
The points earned in Pattern races throughout the year will account for 30 per cent of the final tally in each of the seven categories, as well as for the overall Horse of the Year.
The remaining 70 per cent is split equally between a panel of racing experts and the public, as represented by readers of the Racing Post and the Daily Telegraph as well as Channel 4 viewers.
Defending champion Sole Power heads the Sprint category whileBrown Panther tops the table among the Stayers.
Royal Ascot is bound to shake up the standings with its eight Group 1 prizes on offer, as well as kick start the two juvenile categories.
"The Cartier Racing Awards notch up a quarter century in 2015 and it is a great testament to everyone involved that they remain the ultimate accolade in European horseracing," said Cartier consultant Harry Herbert.
The awards will be presented at London's Dorchester Hotel on Tuesday November 10.
Oathkeeper and Sarah O'Brien (Healy Racing Photos)
Oathkeeper was a second winner on the evening at Roscommon for J P McManus, after Riviera Sun's victory in the second for Henry de Bromhead, as Aidan and Sarah O'Brien's recent domination of the bumper scene continued unabated in the Ladies Day At Roscommon On July 6th Flat Race.
The Ballydoyle family's score now stands at five winners and a short-head defeat from their last six attempts in the sphere, and thisOathkeeper (a well-backed 11/4 favourite) was well-touted to make a winning bow.
Himself, and the Willie and Patrick Mullins hope, Prince D'Aubrelle, settled down to battle it out up the straight. It wasOathkeeper that proved much the stronger inside the last as he passed the post five and a half lengths to the good.
"He's a nice horse and he looked it there, Joseph liked him at home. I'd imagine he'll go for a winners bumper now maybe at Galway," said Aidan O'Brien.
Father Christmas, blue and orange, gets up to win in Roscommon (Healy Racing Photos)
Father Christmas wore down Alertness to give Aidan and Joseph O'Brien a winner at Roscommon this evening.
The 9/10 favourite made full use of the extended mile and two in this maiden for three-year-olds as he stayed on from fourth two furlongs out to collar Alertness just over 50 yards from home.
The runner-up was always to the fore as he raced in a close second to Pretty Love before Kevin Manning drove him into the lead at the two pole.
Joseph O'Brien had started to get busy on the odds on favourite and his supporters must have been watching proceedings warily as several backhanders were administered.
However, he saw out the trip well and always looked to be getting there inside the final furlong.
"He stays well. He's still very green and that was his first time going right-handed,"Joseph O'Brien said.
"He was unlucky not to win over a mile in Leopardstown the last day. The penny dropped late with him. Again it took a while to drop today. I suppose he hasn't run for a while. You would imagine he would get a bit further. He's possibly a bit better than he has shown today.
"I always thought I was going to win. I felt from a good way out I was going to get there but it just took me a bit of time to get him organised and to get him together. I think he's a nice colt.
"I'd imagine he might be in the picture for a handicap at Ascot or something like that. He's progressive but he has a bit of growing up to do yet."
Outspoken is set to be part of Aidan O'Brien's formidable squad for Royal Ascot later this month following his impressive debut at Navan
The stoutly-bred son of Galileo created a big impression when make a successful start to his career in Co Meath, pulling readily clear of a number of more experienced horses in the hands of the trainer's son, Donnacha.
Although that victory came over a mile and a quarter, Outspoken could step up to two miles for the Queen's Vase at the Royal meeting, with the King Edward VII Stakes over a mile and a half another option.
O'Brien said: "He could go to Ascot for the Queen's Vase or the King Edward and looks the type that could improve a lot."
TRAINER Aidan O'Brien and his wife Annemarie may struggle to produce a better horse than they did early in their combined attempts at breeding - seven-time Group 1 winner Rock Of Gibraltar, whom they bred in partnership with Annemarie's father Joe Crowley - but their Whisperview Trading operation has nonetheless been wielding a big influence in stakes races over the past few days.
Qualify, a daughter of Fastnet Rock bred by Whisperview Trading out of the Galileo mare Perihelion, sprang a surprise in the Oaks on Friday, hours before last year's Irish Derby runner-up Kingfisher, a Galileo colt also bred by the operation out of the Halling mare Mystical Lady, scored in the Listed Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown.
Fastnet Rock completed a quickfire cross-hemisphere Group 1 double yesterday when his son Magicool landed the Queensland Derby at Doomben. The victory had the O'Briens' fingerprints over it too, as the three-year-old gelding is out of Perfect Truth, a Whisperview Trading-bred who won the Cheshire Oaks for Coolmore but was exported to Australia at the end of her racing career. The daughter of Galileo is now owned by Hutchins Thoroughbreds.
Aidan O'Brien: bred Qualify
PICTURE: Getty Images
Beethoven, successful in the Dewhurst in 2009, was also bred under the Whisperview Trading banner, while Furner's Green, who died after the line having run a close third in the 2012 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, looked a Group 1 winner-in-waiting for the breeders.
King Torus, another bred by the O'Briens, is a smart handicapper for David O'Meara now, but was among the best of his generation in his pomp, when he won the Superlative Stakes and Vintage Stakes for Richard Hannon snr at two.
One of the best broodmares owned by Whisperview Trading wasLady Icarus, who was bought by Annemarie O'Brien for €25,000 at Goffs - from the Darley draft. The daughter of Rainbow Quest and top miler Sonic Lady has produced four stakes winners for the O'Briens - Furner's Green, Lady Lupus, Palace and Mystical Lady, who in turn is the dam of Kingfisher.
Although Weatherbys has registered Lady Icarus as having left stud in 2015, with her last foal a Galileo two-year-old colt called Bravery, Whisperview Trading has a two-year-old colt by Fastnet Rock out of Lady Lupus, who was sent to Declaration Of War last year; and a Galileo yearling colt out of Mystical Lady, thus a brother to Kingfisher.
Qualify's dam Perihelion, meanwhile, has a yearling filly by Henrythenavigator and was covered again by Fastnet Rock last year. Shogun, her two-year-old colt by Fastnet Rock, has been entered to make his debut at Leopardstown on Thursday.
Naturally, almost all the Whisperview Trading-bred stakes winners are by sires who stand, or stood, at Coolmore.
The O'Briens even managed to conjure a Group 3 winner on the Flat by former Coolmore National Hunt sire Bach, in the shape of Hebridean. The Gallinule Stakes winner has a best Racing Post Rating of 115, some 34lb better than the second-best Flat runner by Bach - although he hails from a line cultivated for several generations by Crowley.
The Coral-Eclipse and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby are two options under consideration for Highland Reel following his fine effort at Chantilly last weekend.
Aidan O'Brien's colt disappointed when favourite for the French 2000 Guineas in early May, but fared much better on his return to France for the Prix du Jockey Club, filling the runner-up spot behind the exciting New Bay.
The three-year-old could now return to home soil for a tilt at the Irish Derby on June 27, or take on his elders in the Eclipse at Sandown the following week.
O'Brien said: "I was talking to Ryan (Moore) after the race and he said he could be an Eclipse horse.
"We're thinking the Eclipse or Irish Derby and we'll see what happens with the Epsom horses."
Rosshaven Lady powers away in Limerick (Healy Racing Photos)
Rosshaven Lady (7/2) showed improvement from her debut performance when staying on stoutly in the mares' bumper at Limerick.
Aidan O'Brien's five-year-old ran on well in Ballinrobe last month to be fifth but made no mistake tonight.
Sarah O'Brien sent her to the front with under five furlongs to race. Her main rival,Avichi the well-backed 8/11 favourite, progressed to third with less than three furlongs to go.
In the home straight Avichi closed right up on the tail ofRosshaven Lady a furlong and a half out. It looked only a matter of time before she went past butRosshaven Ladypowered away in the final furlong with the favourite making no impression.
The winner drifted left close home but had four and a quarter lengths in hand. Avichilost second to 66/1 chance Siberian Vixen who kept on well in the final furlong.
"She had a lovely run first time up in Ballinrobe and progressed well," said Aidan O'Brien.
"Joseph and the lads always liked her and Sarah gave her a lovely ride. She was green enough in front and will improve again."
Aidan O'Brien has set his sights on the St Leger at Doncaster after his three runners in the Investec Derby performed with credit without being able to put in a serious challenge.
Giovanni Canaletto fared best of the trio, staying on stoutly down the home straight to finish fourth in the hands of Ryan Moore.
Chester Vase winner Hans Holbein was at the head of affairs in the early part of the Classic before fading to finish seventh, one place behind Lingfield Trial hero Kilimanjaro.
The Ballydoyle handler said of Giovanni Canaletto: "The horse's preparation wasn't perfect and we would have loved to have taken him to Chester for the race there.
"He is a really big baby and another run would have been ideal in helping him gain a bit of racecourse experience.
"He is a horse with potential and it was a good race. He came home really well and will stay much further.
"Giovanni Canaletto and our other two horses will all be confident in getting the St Leger trip so that is a race we will look at.''
Kilimanjaro stayed on past beaten horses and O'Brien added: "He is a nice horse who will stay further.
"A step up in trip will really suit him and there should be some nice progress to come from him. Kilimanjaro could be a horse suited by the St Leger trip.''
Of Hans Holbein, he went on: "He ran well. We didn't aim to stretch Golden Horn's stamina and his performance showed he saw it out very well.
"Hans Holbein is a horse who will enjoy a step up in trip and will stay further - the St Leger at Doncaster could be a target."
Aidan O'Brien is prepared to let the once-raced Words make her first appearance in almost a year in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The daughter of Dansili beat subsequent Group Two winner Raydara on her racecourse debut at the Curragh last June, but was not seen again as a juvenile and has yet to make her three-year-old debut.
The Ballydoyle inmate holds a whole host of big-race entries and O'Brien is considering letting her return at the big meeting later this month.
He said: "She's in good shape. If she goes to the Ribblesdale she'll be going without a run, but she's in good order."
Qualify (second right): kicked off a great 24 hours for her sire
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Fantastic 24 hours for shuttler Fastnet Rock
BY MARTIN STEVENS11:38AM 6 JUN 2015
FASTNET ROCK completed a quickfire, cross-hemisphere Group 1 double on Saturday when his son Magicool landed the Queensland Derby at Doomben in Australia, less than 24 hours after his daughter Qualify sprang a surprise in the Oaks at Epsom on Friday.
Magicool, a three-year-old gelding trained by Mark Kavanagh, was fourth in the South Australian Derby last month but stayed on well in Saturday's 1m3f event to nail runner-up Werther (by Tavistock) by three quarters of a length.
Remarkably, both Magicool and Qualify are out of Galileo mares and have a strong link to Whisperview Trading, the breeding operation of trainer Aidan O'Brien and his wife Annemarie.
Qualify - who is trained by Aidan O'Brien for Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez - was bred by Whisperview Trading out of Park Hill Stakes second Perihelion.
Magicool, meanwhile, was bred by Hutchins Thoroughbreds and is the first foal out of Perfect Truth, who in turn was bred by Whisperview Trading and was trained by O'Brien for the Coolmore partners to win the Listed Cheshire Oaks and finish second in the Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes.
Perfect Truth was exported to Australia in 2009 at the end of her racing career.
Magicool was bought by Kavanagh for A$250,000 (£124,800/ €171,600) at the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Perfect Truth is a half-sister to Listed-placed Beyond Brilliance out of Charroux, a Robert Sangster-bred and raced daughter of Darshaan and Cheveley Park Stakes winner and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Durtal.
This is a family rich in superstars for the late Sangster. Durtal was a half-sister to Sangster's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Detroit and she also produced his dual Ascot Gold Cup winner Gildoran.
Durtal is also the granddam of Listed scorer Secret Garden, who has produced Irish 2,000 Guineas winner and promising sire Roderic O'Connor for Sangster's family.
Magicool and Qualify have taken Fastnet Rock's tally of top-level winners to 20.
A 14-year-old son of Danehill, Fastnet Rock has shuttled between Coolmore's bases in County Tipperary and New South Wales in recent seasons.
The good spell for Fastnet Rock also included on Saturday his stallion son Hinchinbrook supplying from his first two-year-old crop Group 1 BMW JJ Atkins winner Press Statement at Doomben.
Galileo now features as the broodmare sire of five Group/Grade 1 winners - the list completed by La Collina, Lea and Night Of Thunder.
Ryan Moore is bidding for his third Classic of the season when Giovanni Canaletto lines up in the Investec Derby at Epsom.
Narrowly out of luck on his 1000 Guineas winner Legatissimo in the Oaks on Friday, Moore has completed a 2000 Guineas double on Gleneagles already this season and was a fraction away from going for the clean sweep.
Widely regarded as the best jockey riding, he has cemented his association with Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore operation in fine style.
However, in a year without a clear-cut Derby contender, there was plenty of speculation as to what he might ride in the great race until a welter of money saw Giovanni Canaletto halve in price earlier this week, and confirmation swiftly followed.
Having looked promising when winning his maiden late last season, he missed an intended run at Chester only to be beaten on his reappearance by the filly Curvy in the Gallinule Stakes.
"I was disappointed he got beat, but I felt he ought to have won. It was a slowly run race, I was out the back and I didn't want to give him too hard a time," Moore told Channel 4 Racing.
"The favourite (Golden Horn) is very good, but this lad's open to considerable improvement and I feel if he comes forward from that run, which I'm pretty sure he will do, I'm sure he'll run well."
O'Brien, who has won the Derby for the last three years and five times in total, also saddles Chester Vase winner Hans Holbein and Kilimanjaro, who tidily claimed the Lingfield trial in May.
The Ballydoyle handler said: "Hans Holbein is a horse that looks like he gets a mile and a half well. He wouldn't mind any ease in the ground. He will probably end up getting further than a mile and a half.
"Kilimanjaro won his maiden in Dundalk early on, then went to Lingfield. He won nicely and got the mile and a half well. He's a big cruiser and came home very well that day. It's setting up nicely for him as well."
O'Brien's compatriot Ken Condon has supplemented the progressive Success Days, who has won Ireland's big Derby trials, the Ballysax and the Derrinstown.
"He's won the best two trials in Ireland impressively and while people might say they were small fields in soft ground, they always are," said the County Kildare handler.
"The Derrinstown might not have produced that much recently but until five or six years ago all the greats won it. He's well entitled to take his chance. We've no idea how good he could be and I hope he runs well."
Qualify: stayed on strongly to deny favourite Legatissimo in the Oaks
PICTURE: RP GRAPHICS
Oaks winner was qualified to run big race
BY BLOODSTOCK WORLD STAFF5:42PM 5 JUN 2015
QUALIFY caused a huge upset in the Oaks on Friday when staying on from the rear to nail favourite Legatissimo in the shadow of the post and become a first European Group 1 winner for her sire Fastnet Rock.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly needed every yard of the mile and a half trip at Epsom and it is no surprise when you delve into her pedigree.
Although Fastnet Rock was a Group 1-winning sprinter in Australia, a number of his leading European lights have excelled over a mile or further, possibly because a number of European breeders sent their stoutly-bred mares to the son of Danehill hoping he would inject a bit of speed into their pedigrees.
Qualify is a case in point. She was bred by O'Brien and his wife Annemarie out of the ten-year-old Galileo mare Perihelion, who won a 1m4½f maiden as a three-year-old before finishing second to Allegretto in the Park Hill Stakes.
Other talented middle-distance runners in Europe by Fastnet Rock include Dermot Weld's triple Group 3 winner Fascinating Rock, who was a close second to Al Kazeem in the Tattersalls Gold Cup on his last start.
Perihelion is one of six winners out of Medicosma, a daughter of late Derby winner The Minstrel who carried the colours of Khalid Abdullah to a pair of victories at up to 2m for Barry Hills.
Her half-sister Luna Fleur won seven races over jumps for Noel Meade before producing smart dual-purpose performer Ballyadam Brook, a son of Alderbrook who won five times over jumps as well as winning a pair of competitive Flat races for Terence O'Brien.
Qualify descends from one of Abdullah's most celebrated families. Her great-granddam - Oaks runner-up Media Luna - produced six winners, the list headed by the Alleged mare Eva Luna, who established herself as an integral cog in Abdullah's breeding operation after winning four races for the late Sir Henry Cecil, including the Park Hill Stakes.
She supplied four stakes winners, including Brian Boru, who was trained by O'Brien to win the St Leger and Racing Post Trophy, and high-class middle-distance runner Sea Moon. She is also responsible for the unraced Sadler's Wells mare Soviet Moon, dam of 2010 Derby hero Workforce, and Group 2 winner Moon Search, who produced Cheltenham Festival scorer Cinders And Ashes.
So although Qualify was a 50-1 shot on form, her pedigree entitled her to outrun her odds.
The breeding operation of Aidan and Anne-Marie O'Brien, Whisperview Trading Ltd, has had a Friday like no other, with Qualify stunning Epsom in the Oaks earlier on today, before another homebred, Kingfisher, landed the Listed Saval Beg Stakes over 1m6f for Donnacha O'Brien at Leopardstown.
Many, including myself, would consider that ride as one of the finest in the career of Donnacha O'Brien, who was sitting exams this morning, and still had enough energy in the tank to drive Kingfisher home, and he needed the full treatment.
Kingfisher is a classy horse, as he finished second in last year's Irish Derby, and that came to very good use with his staying power, but the first time hood will have also gave him some more focus.
Held up by Donnacha O'Brien, was pulled out to launch his challenge inside the final two furlongs, and he certainly had a lot on his plate, as the principal market leaders kicked for home.
At one point, Panama Hat looked all over the winner, but Kingfisher finished off with a good burst of speed and power to get the better of him, with Drifting Mist drifting back into third and Shu Lewis in fourth.
Anne-Marie explained after the race: " The main objective today was to get him to relax and he stayed very well. You would have to let him take his chance in the Gold Cup after that. He came home really strongly. Donnacha is doing the Leaving Certificate at the moment and sat exams today for Geography and Maths."
50/1 outsider Qualify sprang a humongous surprise this afternoon when just narrowly winning the Investec Oaks at Epsom.
Ridden by Colm O'Donoghue for Aidan O'Brien, Qualify was the outsider of the O'Brien trio and claimed 1000 Guineas winner and 5/2 favourite Legatissimo right on the line in a photo finish, with Luca Cumani's Lady Of Dubai an eye-catching third.
O'Donoghue, 34, said after finally winning his first British Classic after going close in the Derby on Treasure Beach in 2011: "Qualify has travelled, she is well balanced and I just wanted to keep her relaxed, and come with that clean, straight run. It's the winning post that matters."
"I wanted to keep her on an even keel and keep her running. I didn't want anything interfering with her because we were on the outside of the track's camber. She has come home strong."
As mentioned above, Luca Cumani trained the third filly home in Lady Of Dubai, and he was absolutely shell-shocked, saying: "Where did the winner come from? Did she jump in at Tattenham Corner?"
Qualify, a homebred at Ballydoyle, was obviously very highly regarded by Aidan O'Brien, as she won a Group 3 very impressively before running in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and the Breeders Cup Fillies Juvenile (both G1's) and she came home strongly in the Irish 1000 Guineas last time even if she was beaten a fair way, and Spanish owner Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez will not believe her luck, as she bought the filly just before her Breeders' Cup run.
This Oaks win was a fifth for Aidan O'Brien, after Shahtoush (1998), Imagine (2001), Alexandrova (2006) and Was (2012), and Qualify was NOT the first string this time by any means.
Entering the final furlong, several horses got into a bit of a barging match, including Diamondsandrubies, who was travelling well until she was badly hampered by Joseph O'Brien and Together Forever.
Ryan Moore went clear on his 1000 Guineas winner Legatissimo and looked to have the race sewn up, and was stunned when Qualify ran him down.
David Wachman said there were no excuses after the race and added: "I'm delighted for Colm O'Donoghue as he deserves more big-race success."
(Article by Kingsbarns, journalist for aidanobrienfansite.com)
An avalanche of support for Giovanni Canaletto in the Investec Derby ante-post market has matched Ryan Moore's apparent desire to ride the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt at Epsom.
The son of Galileo has been the best-backed horse in the build-up to the premier Classic, and it soon became clear why once Moore was revealed as his jockey on Tuesday.
Giovanni Canaletto has a bit to find with the main Derby protagonists, but he won extremely well on his final start as a juvenile and also shaped with promise when runner-up in the Gaillinule Stakes at the Curragh last month.
O'Brien, who sounded some caution about going to the Derby in the immediate aftermath of the Curragh, said: "He's in good form. Obviously it's a step quicker than ideal, but we're very happy with him.
"He's come out of the Curragh very well. The winner (Curvy) is a very progressive filly, but we were very happy our horse finished very well.
"Ryan liked him at the Curragh and we've put cheekpieces on him. Ryan said if he came out of the race well he's the one he'd like to ride."
O'Brien, who was won Derby for the last three years and five times in total, also saddles Chester Vase winner Hans Holbein and Kilimanjaro, who tidily claimed the Lingfield trial in May.
The Ballydoyle handler said: "Hans Holbein is a horse that looks like he gets a mile and a half well. He wouldn't mind any ease in the ground. He will probably end up getting further than a mile and a half.
"Kilimanjaro won his maiden in Dundalk early on, then went to Lingfield. He won nicely and got the mile and a half well. He's a big cruiser and came home very well that day. It's setting up nicely for him as well."
The girls proved too much for the lads in the bumper (Healy Racing Photos)
There was drama in the concluding bumper at Tipperary as Tesseract was left to come home an easy winner under Sarah O'Brien.
It was a double for owner JP McManus on the card following the earlier victory of Copy That in the maiden hurdle.
Sarah O'Brien found her mount, trained by father Aidan, keen in the early stages but he arrived to challenge turning for home in the two-mile contest.
Tom Taaffe's newcomer Sixth Avenue had also came through on the inner to dispute but ducked out and shattered a piece of railing shortly after.
That left Tesseract in command and the even-money favourite galloped on strongly to record a five-and-a-half length success.
"I'm delighted with that and Sarah gave him a good ride. Joseph and the lads always liked him but he was so green when he ran at Punchestown and still ran a big race," said Aidan O'Brien.
"I was afraid when he was the other horse (Sixth Avenue) disappeared but he (Tesseract) only started going and quickened up well. He'll go for a winners' bumper next, probably at Galway."
Waterloo Bridge holds Gift Wrap (Healy Racing Photos)
Waterloo Bridge landed the odds in the opener at Tipperary for Ballydoyle when scoring on his fourth attempt.
Aidan O'Brien's charge was a solid 9/10 shot for the five furlong contest and sat behind the leaders in the early stages.
Joseph O'Brien came over to the rail to hit the front over a furlong out but the Zoffany colt was soon tackled by Gift Wrap.<Waterloo Bridge drifted right in the closing stages, under pressure, but was always doing enough to hold his rival, eventually getting home by a head at the line.
The winner had some strong looking form coming into the race, having been third to Round Two in Naas and second to Most Beautiful last time at Navan.
"He can be a bit keen at home but was okay today," said Joseph O'Brien afterwards.
"Hopefully he can progress now and is by an exciting sire (Zoffany)."
Despite the absence of Zawraq, Ireland has a strong hand in Saturday's Investec Derby after Aidan O'Brien declared Giovanni Canaletto (Ryan Moore), Hans Holbein (Seamie Heffernan) and Kilimanjaro (Joseph O'Brien).
Success Days and rank outsider Carbon Dating also make the journey for the Epsom Classic.
John Gosden is responsible for two of the final Derby acceptors but there is a slight question mark over the suitability of the ground for Jack Hobbs.
The son of Halling had to play second fiddle to stablemate and ante-post Derby favourite Golden Horn in the Dante.
Gosden said: "I'll walk the track on Saturday morning. The ground is perfect right now, but we'll see what the weather does and whether they get a thunderstorm. I'm happy with all the horses."
Elm Park is given the chance to shine by Andrew Balding and owners Qatar Racing.
The Group One-winning colt, third behind Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs at York, is joined in the line-up by German challenger Rogue Runner, who is also owned by Qatar Racing.
Epicuris, Moheet and Storm The Stars complete the final field.
Kingfisher could earn himself a shot at the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot with a prominent showing in Leopardstown's Seamus & Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes on Friday evening.
Runner-up in last season's Irish Derby behind Australia, the Galileo colt spent the rest of his three-year-old career as a pacemaker for his esteemed stable companion, predictably finishing down the field in the Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes.
He made a pleasing start to the new campaign when fourth behind Forgotten Rules in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan, and trainer Aidan O'Brien is keen to find out whether his charge is a realistic contender for the staying showpiece in Berkshire later this month.
"He has progressed well. We're thinking of the Gold Cup and trying to get him to slow down and relax. We were very happy with his run in Navan," said O'Brien.
"If he runs well (on Friday) he could go to the Gold Cup."
Kingfisher is one 10 declared runners for the the Saval Beg, with Andrew Oliver's Panama Hat, Sabrina Harty's Kalann and Aklan from the stable of champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins among his rivals.
Listed honours are also up for grabs in a fascinating King George V Cup at the Foxrock venue.
O'Brien is double-handed, with the experienced Cradle Mountain joined by course-and-distance-winning stable companion Bondi Beach.
The latter narrowly beat stablemate Bantry Bay on debut and the form stands up well with the runner-up having since gone one better at the Curragh.
"He doesn't show a lot at home but is a different horse on the track. He loves to be held on to and I'd say we'll do that again with him," said O'Brien.
Dermot Weld's hat-trick seeker Radanpour, the John Oxx-trained Fairyhouse scorer Blue Paraiba and David Wachman's Clonmel winner Wooden Heart all feature in the mile-and-a-half heat.
Aidan O'Brien expects to know in the next few days whether Tapestry will be fit for action at Royal Ascot.
The four-year-old, who won last year's Yorkshire Oaks, had been in the frame for Saturday's Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom before suffering a hock injury.
Tapestry is entered in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at the Royal meeting but O'Brien will see how quickly the filly recovers before deciding whether or not to head to Berkshire.
He said: "Tapestry strained the back of her hock and it's the kind of thing that either comes right quickly or not.
"We'll know in the next two or three days and if it's not three days and she doesn't make Ascot, it will be the autumn."
The 8/1 shot raced prominently under Sarah O'Brien in the JP McManus silks. The five-year-old gelding was predominantly third with Free Stone Hill and Matchaway in front of him.
Approaching the home turn and Matchaway and Jamie Codd hit the front. Kilclispeenfollowed him through in second. Inside the two pole Codd poached a lead of a couple of lengths and was working hard on Matchaway.< Kilclispeen and Cottersrock were hard ridden to try and chase him down. Kilclispeen started to stay on with a furlong to race and he drew alongside Matchaway close home before getting his head in front on the line.
The runner-up was returned at 12/1 and he went down by a neck. The well-backedPeregrine Run came in third just a head in front of Cottersrock.< Peregrine Run had been 12/1 in the morning and went off at 7/2. He was two and a half lengths behind the runner-up. Touch A Million, the 9/4 favourite, finished fifth.
Aidan O'Brien said: "Joseph (O'Brien) thought he had really progressed and was happy with him. He stays well and likes nice ground. He might sharpen up after that."
Tapestry: Yorkshire Oaks winner will miss the Epsom Group 1
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Tapestry to miss Coronation Cup
BY TONY O'HEHIR5:56PM 3 JUN 2015
TAPESTRY will miss the Coronation Cup on Saturday after meeting with a setback. Last year's Yorkshire Oaks winner was a 5-1 shot to land the Group 1 Epsom event.
The daughter of Galileo is a three-time winner and achieved her most important win when beating Taghrooda by half a length at York in August. She last ran when finishing 13th behind Treve in the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe in October.Her trainer Aidan O'Brien said last night: "Unfortunately, Tapestry met with a slight setback today and won't be running in the Coronation Cup. We'll see how she is in a few days before making any plans for her."
Tapestry's absence means the race looks likely to go to a French raider for the second year running. Before Tapestry's withdrawal she was the third favourite, behind the Aga Khan's filly Dolniya, who won the Dubai Sheema Classic in March, at 5-4 favourite and the Andre Fabre-trained Flintshire at 2-1.
Legatissimo will face 10 rivals as she bids to supplement her 1000 Guineas victory with success in Friday's Investec Oaks at Epsom.
David Wachman's charge will be partnered by Ryan Moore as she attempts to become the first filly since Kazzia back in 2002 to follow up her win on the Rowley Mile in the mile-and-a-half fillies' Classic.
John Gosden has declared both Star of Seville and Jazzi Top as he seeks to win back-to-back renewals of the race having saddled Taghrooda to victory 12 months ago.
Aidan O'Brien, who has won the race on four previous occasions, will be triple-handed in his quest for a fifth victory.
The Ballydoyle master's team consists of Cheshire Oaks winner Diamondsandrubies, last year's Fillies' Mile scorer Together Forever and Qualify.
Crystal Zvezda will fly the flag for Sir Michael Stoute in his attempt to win the race for the first time since 1987, while Luca Cumani, who was responsible for last year's third Volume, will send out Lady Of Dubai.
The Andre Fabre-trained record-breaking yearling purchase Al Naamah will carry the hopes of France, while trainer Ralph Beckett, successful in 2008 with Look Here and 2013 with Talent, is to be represented by Lingfield Oaks trial runner-up Bellajeu.
Completing the field is the Jessica Harrington-trained Jack Naylor.
Giovanni Canaletto (right) is 8-1, having been 16-1 on Monday
PICTURE: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)
Giovanni Canaletto is Moore's Derby ride
BY TONY O'HEHIR5:05PM 2 JUN 2015
AIDAN O'BRIEN has confirmed that Ryan Moore will ride Derby gamble Giovanni Canaletto in Saturday's Investec-sponsored Epsom Classic.
Giovanni Canaletto's odds had plummeted to no bigger than 8-1 (from 16) in just 24 hours before the jockey booking was made official.
Moore also looks set to ride either Investec Oaks favourite Legatissimo or second favourite Crystal Zvezda after O'Brien added Together Forever would be partnered by his son Joseph, with Seamie Heffernan on Diamondsandrubies and Colm O'Donoghue riding Qualify.
O'Brien has booked Heffernan to ride Hans Holbein in the Derby, while Joseph will partner Kilimanjaro.
Frankie Dettori remains wary of Aidan O'Brien's Investec Derby contenders despite the absence of dual Classic winner Gleneagles at Epsom.
O'Brien has won the last three renewals of the Classic with Camelot, Ruler Of The World and Australia but does not appear to have a strong contender this time around with English and Irish Guineas winner Gleneagles taken out of the race on Monday.
Hans Holbein and Kilimanjaro won their respective trials at Chester and Lingfield, but Giovanni Canaletto is likely to go off a shorter price than those two despite being beaten on his return to action at the Curragh.
Dettori partners favourite Golden Horn for John Gosden and he respects the chances of not only the O'Brien runners but also stablemate Jack Hobbs, who he rode to finish second in the Dante behind his Derby mount.
"He (Golden Horn) is favourite, we know what he's made of," Dettori told At The Races.
"The same question keeps coming up. Will he stay? My gut feeling says yes, so it's fingers crossed now as his preparation has gone well.
"I'm scared of Jack Hobbs, the horse has improved since the Dante and he stays well.
"The Derby is the Derby but my horse won the best trial and won it convincingly. I have lots of faith in the horse.
"There's 15 left in so let's hope we get a smooth run and see if we can win it."
Of the O'Brien trio, Dettori added: " Their forte is that they are all good stayers so I'm sure they are going to make a race of it.
"The Chester Vase winner (Hans Holbein) looked a good stayer. You can never dismiss Aidan O'Brien, he's a master and whatever he runs you have to respect."
Aidan O'Brien outlines his plans for Investec Oaks at Epsom
Aidan O'Brien is confident all four of his potential Investec Oaks runners will stay the trip at Epsom.
Diamondsandrubies: Proved her stamina with this victory at Epsom
The Ballydoyle handler has already won the race four times and has a strong ahead this time around.
Cheshire Oaks winner Diamondandrubies and Musidora second Together Forever spearhead his team but could be joined in the Classic by Irish 1000 Guineas tenth Qualify and Wedding Vow, a fast-finishing third in the Lingfield trial.
“Diamondsandrubies won nicely. Obviously that was a trial for Epsom and you couldn’t be happier with her really. She won her maiden nicely first time this year, then ran a good race in Navan in a Group race then obviously came back in a Listed race at Chester and you’d have to be very happy with her," the trainer told At The Races.
"She likes to be ridden patiently. She got a mile and a half at Chester but obviously it’s a different mile and a half at Epsom so it will be interesting but she looked like at Chester like she was going to get it.
“Together Forever was giving weight to the winner at York. She was maybe a little bit ring-rusty going to the two but then she stayed on very well so she looks a filly you’d think would definitely probably get the mile and a half well. She’s a Galileo filly out of a Theatrical mare so you’d think she would.
“Qualify ran a very good race in the Irish Guineas last time. She should improve, we think, with the step up in trip. She’s in good form. Then Wedding Vow had a nice run at Lingfield and came home well there.
“Anything good or better would suit them all. Rubies has form in softish ground but in an ideal world I think most of them would like it good or better."
Giovanni Caneletto move continues ahead of Investec Derby
Last Updated: 02/06/15 12:31pm
Hans Holbein: One of a trio of Ballydoyle runners in the Derby
Aidan O'Brien says he is 'very happy' with Giovanni Canaletto as money continues to pour on the Investec Derby hopeful.
The son of Galileo, a full-brother to 2013 Derby hero Ruler Of The World and a half-brother to five-time Group One winner Duke Of Marmalade, missed his intended Derby prep in the Chester Vase but returned to the track when chasing home Curvy in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh on May 24.
A 16/1 chance with Sky Bet on Monday, Giovanni Canaletto is now 8/1 with the Leeds-based bookmaker.
Giovanni Canaletto: colt now as short as 9-1 for Derby glory
PICTURE: Caroline Norris
Support continues for Giovanni Canaletto
BY PAUL EACOTT10:30AM 2 JUN 2015
GIOVANNI CANALETTO has replaced stablemate Hans Holbein as Aidan O'Brien's leading Investec derby hope in the betting following continual support since the five-day confirmations were made on Monday.
Freely available at 16-1 on Monday morning,Giovanni Canalettois now as short as 9-1 with Ladbrokes and no bigger than 12-1.The son of Galileo was forced to miss his intended run in the Chester Vase last month after scoping badly and could finish only second in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh on his delayed return but that had not deterred punters.
Speaking at Naas on Monday, O'Brien said: "He seems to be in good form. It is a step up a little bit sooner than ideal but we are very happy with him."
Stablemate Hans Holbein won the Chester Vase, which Giovanni Canaletto had been expected to contest, and O'Brien said of him: "He is a horse that looks like he gets a mile and a half well and he wouldn't mind ease in the ground. He will probably end up getting further than a mile and a half."
The trainer, who is trying to win the Derby for the fourth successive year and sixth in total will also run Lingfield Derby Trial winner Kilimanjaro who can be backed at 20-1. O'Brien said of him: "He gets the mile and a half well. He is a big cruiser and he came home well [at Lingfield] so it is setting up nicley for him."
Aidan O'Brien has just Tapestry entered as the trainer bids for an eighth victory in the Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom on Saturday.
All seven of O'Brien's wins have come in the past 10 years, courtesy of Yeats, Scorpion, Soldier Of Fortune, Fame And Glory and three-time winner St Nicholas Abbey.
He may rely on last year's Yorkshire Oaks heroine Tapestry, as she features among seven horses entered for the Group One contest.
French raiders Flintshire and Dolniya are also among the acceptors.
Dual Group One-winning Flintshire finished second in the race 12 months ago and will attempt to give trainer Andre Fabre a record-equalling seventh success in the mile-and-a-half event.
The five-year-old has also run some impressive races in defeat, including runner-up in last season's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Breeders' Cup Turf.
Taking on the Khalid Abdullah-owned colt for a fourth successive race will be the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained filly Dolniya.
Although Flintshire had the four-year-old behind him in the Arc, the daughter of Azamour has taken victory on both occasions the pair have clashed this year, in a conditions race at Chantilly and, most recently, in the Dubai Sheema Classic.
The Richard Hannon-trained Pether's Moon will attempt to put a below-par effort in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket behind him on his first visit to the track, while John Gosden's Romsdal bids for a second victory of the campaign.
Completing the field at this stage are the David Simcock-trained Sheikhzayedroad and Ayrad, who could represent trainer Roger Varian.
Argentero: stayed on well to land the Listed Rochestown Stakes
PICTURE: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)
first stakes winner for Zoffany
BY BLOODSTOCK WORLD STAFF4:55PM 1 JUN 2015
ZOFFANY became the first of this year's crop of freshman sires to produce a stakes winner when Argentero stayed on through the mud to win the Listed Rochestown Stakes at Naas on Monday. Fellow first-season sire Roderic O'Connor also supplied his first stakes winner on the same card when the Richard Hannon-trained fillyGreat Pagelanded the Listed Fillies' Sprint Stakes.
Trained by Ger Lyons, Argentero won on his debut at Naas in April before finishing second to Jim Bolger's high-class juvenile Round Two at the same course last month.
Argentero was bred by Maywood Stud out of the unraced Pivotal mare Frabjous, who has produced one other winner - the Medicean mare Movementneverlies.
"It's a fantastic result," said Kelly Thomas of Maywood Stud in Carmarthenshire. "We have five mares on the stud and we try and breed commercial stock that we can sell as foals.
"I wasn't sure he'd win today because the favourite Birchwood was held in such high regard, but I'm delighted and all being well he'll go to Royal Ascot."
Frabjous, who was bought by Thomas through Jill Lamb for 48,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale in 2009, is a half-sister to Prix Maurice de Gheest winner May Ball and descends from the family of last year's Prix Rothschild scorer Esoterique.
Frabjous did not have a foal this year, but has been covered by Dream Ahead.
Argentero, who carries the colours of Sean Jones, was knocked down to BBA Ireland for £50,000 at the DBS Premier Yearling Sale last year. His Bated Breath half-brother was snapped up by Peter and Ross Doyle for 65,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2014.
The Middleham Park Racing-owned Great Page was picked up by the Doyles for the bargain sum of €35,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale last year.
Bred by Nelius Hayes of Knockainey Stud in County Limerick, she is the second foal out of the Refuse To Bend mare Areeda, who won a 7f maiden for Clive Brittain.
Other leading lights traced in Great Page's pedigree include Cherry Hinton Stakes winner Please Sing.
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Diamondsandrubies will run in the Oaks (Healy Racing Photos)
Aidan O'Brien has firmed up plans for his team in the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday.
It was announced on Twitter by Coolmore that the Ballydoyle trainer is to represented by up to four runners in the mile-and-a-half Classic.
Heading the confirmed trio is emphatic Cheshire Oaks winner Diamondsandrubies.
She will be joined by Musidora Stakes runner-up Together Forever and Qualify.
They could also be joined by four-race maiden Wedding Vow, who was last seen finishing third in the Lingfield Oaks Trial.
Coolmore tweeted: "Epsom plans from Ballydoyle @Investec Oaks: Diamondsandrubies, Qualify, Together Forever & possibly Wedding Vow."
One filly that will not be taking her chance is Found, with connections instead opting to send her straight to Royal Ascot for a tilt at the Coronation Stakes.
Gleneagles with happy connections at the Curragh (Healy Racing Photos)
Neither dual Guineas winner Gleneagles nor the top-class filly Found will run at Epsom this weekend and will instead head directly to Royal Ascot.
It had been expected that Gleneagles would at least be left in the Investec Derby at Monday's confirmation stage, but owners Coolmore have decided to keep him to a mile in the St James's Palace Stakes at the Royal fixture.
Found, a Group One winner last season, missed the Guineas at Newmarket and was a narrow runner-up in the Irish version, but speculation had mounted in recent days that she could be supplemented to take on the colts.
She will now be prepared for the Coronation Stakes.
Owners Coolmore tweeted: " Gleneagles & Found run in St. James's Palace Stakes & Coronation Stakes respectively at @Ascot."
Coolmore added that Aidan O'Brien is likely to be represented by Giovanni Canaletto, Hans Holbein and Kilimanjaro in the premier Classic at Epsom.
Found (3) chases home Pleascach in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month
PICTURE: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)
Found bypasses Oaks and Derby for Ascot
BY PETER SCARGILL11:23AM 1 JUN 2015
FOUND will not be part of Aidan O'Brien's team for the Investec Derby or Oaks this week and will head straight to Royal Ascot.
Found had been between 3-1 and 7-1 for the Investec Oaks after her second in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas last month and had also been under consideration for the Investec Derby, with O'Brien's challenge lacking strength in depth this season.
She will be joined in missing the Derby meeting by Gleneagles, the dual 2,000 Guineas winner, who will go to Royal Ascot for the St James's Palace Stakes.
O'Brien will rely on Giovanni Canaletto, Hans Holbein and Kilimanjaro in the Derby, while Together Forever, Diamondsandrubies, Qualify and Wedding Vow are in the mix for the Oaks.
(Healy Racing Photos)
