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Aidan O'Brien leaves 10 in contention for French Derby glory

Aidan O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien

  • Tuesday 31 May 2016

Aidan O'Brien is responsible for 10 of the 27 horses remaining in the Prix du Jockey Club following the latest forfeit stage for the French Derby at Chantilly on Sunday.

Seven of O'Brien's battalion - Beacon Rock, Bravery, Deauville, Idaho, Port Douglas, US Army Ranger and Shogun - are also still in the mix for Saturday's Investec Derby at Epsom.

His other three possibles for the French Classic are Black Sea, General Macarthur and A Year To Remember.


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Ballydoyle Moyglare Stud Stakes & National Stakes Entries News on Irish Champions Weekend


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Aidan O'Brien plays waiting game with Epsom Derby septet

Image result for us army ranger horse

Monday 30 May 2016

Aidan O'Brien is keeping his cards close to his chest after leaving seven horses from a total of 18 in the Investec Derby.

The Ballydoyle trainer has a strong hand, headed by US Army Ranger, as he goes for a sixth win in the premier Classic at Epsom on Saturday.

US Army Ranger was making only his second racecourse appearance when just beating stablemate Port Douglas in the Chester Vase, with the runner-up that day still in consideration for the Derby .

Completing O'Brien's team are Dante Stakes second Deauville, Idaho, Shogun, Beacon Rock and Bravery. As expected, O'Brien withdrew French 2000 Guineas winner The Gurkha.

"They are all still in the mix for the Derby, and the first half of the week will tell us a lot and we'll see the forecast," he said.

"Nothing has been decided yet about riding arrangements, and Ryan (Moore) will be left as long as he wants to make up his mind.

"The French Derby is the next day and we'll try to have runners in both."

Connections of Deauville were pleased with his effort at York behind Wings Of Desire.

Alex Cole, racing manager to co-owners Jim and Fitri Hay, said: "It was a wonderful run. He got to the front a bit early. We don't know about the mile and a half yet, so let's hope."

Jim Bolger would like to see good ground for Moonlight Magic, who had Shogun, Idaho and Beacon Rock in his wake when landing the Derrinstown Stud Trial at Leopardstown.

"Moonlight Magic is in good form and on target for Epsom," said the Coolcullen handler.

"I don't think the ground will get much worse than good, and I'll be happy if it is good."


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Found and Ryan Moore

Found (centre): beaten in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time out

 PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos

Found closing in on 
Coronation Cup outing

FOUND is by no means quoted by all bookmakers for the Investec Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Cup at Epsom, but on Sunday there was further encouragement concerning her participation from trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Found was beaten by Fascinating Rock in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh just a week ago, and while immediately after the race it seemed doubtful that she would turn out again at Epsom on Derby day, it appears increasingly likely that, along with Simple Verse, there will be female firepower for odds-on favourite Postponed to contend with this Saturday.  

Found is a general 5-1 chance with those firms offering a price, while the King George winner Postponed heads the market at 4-7.Speaking at Naas on Sunday, O'Brien said of Found: "She came out of the Curragh well and we're looking at the Coronation."

Simple Verse was well supported on Sunday, with Sky Bet cutting her to 3-1 (from 5), while a number of other firms also trimmed last year's St Leger heroine.

Derby update

Also on the Epsom beat, O'Brien confirmed his Investec Derby hopes will remain largely untouched at Monday's confirmation stage.

While the St James's Palace Stakes is the plan for The Gurkha, and Minding is headed for the Investec Oaks, O'Brien's other seven Derby contenders - led by US Army Ranger - will stand their ground.

Ryan Moore would appear likely to ride US Army Ranger, though O'Brien stressed: "Ryan will be left as late as he wants to make his mind up."

Minding is on course to seek a second British Classic success after landing the 1,000 Guineas, despite banging her head on the stalls and suffering a cut in bidding to complete the Guineas double at the Curragh a week ago, when she lost out narrowly to Jet Setting.

O'Brien added: "The plan is to run her if everybody is happy, and so far everybody is."


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Leading Sires Tables Updated after weekend Racing - Galileo & Zoffany Clear Power up to 3rd

 


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Minding well on course for the Oaks

Sun 29th May 2016, 18:14
Minding leads them home at Newmarket
Minding leads them home at Newmarket
(Healy Racing Photos)
Aidan O'Brien's 1000 Guineas heroine Minding remains on course for Friday's Investec Oaks at Epsom.

The daughter of Galileo was a brilliant winner of the first fillies' Classic of the season at Newmarket at the start of the month, but was narrowly denied by Jet Setting when chasing the Guineas double at the Curragh last weekend.

It later emerged Minding had suffered a minor head injury after an incident in the starting stalls, but O'Brien reports her to have recovered well and she is on course for Epsom.

"Minding will run in the Oaks as long as everyone is happy with her," said O'Brien.

"There is no sign of any internal bleeding after the bang she got in the stalls at the Curragh."





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Naas Listed race brace for O'Brien and Moore

Sun 29th May 2016, 16:23
Cuff and Ryan Moore are clear from Yulong Baobei and Shane Foley
Cuff and Ryan Moore are clear from Yulong Baobei and Shane Foley
(Healy Racing Photos)
Following on from their success with Peace Envoy half an hour earlier, Aidan O'Brien andRyan Moore completed a Listed race double when Cuff got the job done in style in the Coolmore E.B.F. Fillies' Sprint Stakes at Naas.

Never far away, Moore switched the chestnut daughter of Galileo to the inner under two furlongs out.

Cuff (11/4 favourite) was ridden to lead a furlong and a half out and she kept on well in the final furlong to register a three length win over Yulong Baobei.

Spy Ring had place claims when hampered inside the final furlong. Kieren Fallon soon eased up on the Bushranger filly.

"She was unbelievably green the last day but has come forward well. It's unusual to see a Galileo filly starting off over five but she's pacey. We'll look at something like the Albany with her," revealed O'Brien.

(AM & EM)



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Envoy leads home O'Brien one two

Sun 29th May 2016, 15:47
Peace Envoy and Ryan Moore see off Lundy and Donnacha O'Brien
Peace Envoy and Ryan Moore see off Lundy and Donnacha O'Brien
(Healy Racing Photos)
We had no Psychedelic Funk owing to a temperature, but we still got an exciting conclusion to the Listed Coolmore War Command Rochestown (C & G) Stakes. Ballydoyle's Peace Envoy got the better of the Owning Hill-based Lundy as Aidan O'Briengoes down as the handler as the first two home.

Always up there in the pace-setting role under Ryan Moore, 15/8 second favourite Peace Envoy jinked about a little around a furlong out, but he kept going sufficiently well to keep the Donnacha O'Brien-ridden Lundy at bay by half a length.

Richard Hannon's 11/8 favourite Hakeem was a disappointment as he finished last of the five.

Aidan O'Brien said of the winner, a son of first-season sire, Power: "He's still very green. He never went in front before and will learn a lot from today. He'll probably go to Royal Ascot and could run over five or six furlongs as he's not short of pace."

Peace Envoy - Betfair

Coventry Stks 12/1 (from 25/1) & Norfolk Stks 16/1 (unchanged)


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Many congratulations to Donnacha on his 50th winner aboard Monarch claim now down to 3 pounds




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No Taj Mahal this weekend here are the weekend Runners 



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A Horse with a big Future - CHURCHILL





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Ballydoyle beats Turret Rocks for an Ireland one two-in the Boussac

Ballydoyle (left): missed the Irish 1,000 Guineas and will miss the Oaks

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Ballydoyle to miss Oaks but Minding on target

BALLYDOYLE, the second favourite for the Investec Oaks, will miss the Epsom Classic, trainer Aidan O'Brien has revealed.

Royal Ascot or Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly next month is set to be the next port of call for Ballydoyle, who finished an encouraging second to Minding in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

And O'Brien told the Racing Post on Friday: "Ballydoyle won't be going to Epsom. Her bloods have improved but she wouldn't be ready for the Oaks.Ballydoyle, who was a general 4-1 shot for Epsom behind 5-4 chance Minding, was forced to miss the Irish 1,000 Guineas last weekend due to an unsatisfactory blood picture two days before the race.

"We have two options for her next month if she continues to progress - the Coronation Stakes or French Oaks."

Minding still in the mix

Minding's bid for the Newmarket-Curragh Classic double was thwarted by Jet Setting last weekend, but she could still end up a dual Classic winner.

Minding, who was beaten a head at the Curragh, was found to have a swelling on the side of her face and a cut on her nostril after banging her head leaving the stalls.

"She's had an easy week and seems to be fine," O'Brien said. "The Oaks is still the plan once everyone is happy with her and with her work early next week."

O'Brien has another leading fancy in Pretty Polly Stakes third Even Song, and Ireland have a very strong hand generally, with Jim Bolger set to run Turret Rocks, who was sixth behind Minding at Newmarket on her reappearance. 

Skiffle - who will be supplemented on Saturday subject to pleasing Godolphin in a morning workout - and Lingfield Oaks Trial runner-up Architecture are the leading British-trained hopes according to bookmakers.

The going at Epsom on Friday was good, with showers possible on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday



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Holy Roman Emperor

Holy Roman Emperor: a dual Group 1-winning son of Danehill

 PICTURE: Caroline Norris

Aquis Farm to stand Holy Roman Emperor

AQUIS FARM, the Queensland-based stud, have announced they have acquired the southern hemisphere standing rights for Coolmore's Holy Roman Emperor for the 2016 covering season.

Holy Roman Emperor, a 12-year-old son of Danehill, has so far sired 100 stakes performers, including Group 1 winners Homecoming QueenDesigns On Rome and Mongolian Khan, the latter of which will be standing at Windsor Park Stud in Cambridge, New Zealand, it was announced this week.

He has also been crowned champion sire in Hong Kong.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien throughout his seven-race career, Holy Roman Emperor won four times, including twice at the highest level, in the 2006 Phoenix Stakes and the Prix Jean Luc Lagardere, and was denied by just a head by Teofilo in his final start in that season's Dewhurst Stakes.

Out of the Secretariat mare L'On Vite, who is an unraced half-sister to champions L'Enjoleur and La Voyageuse, Holy Roman Emperor is a brother to the Group 1-placed Australian-bred mare Milanova.

Holy Roman Emperor will be standing the southern hemisphere covering season for a fee of A$9,900 (£4,870/€6,388).

Aquis Farm have also announced the acquisition of Domesday, a Group 2-winning son of Red Ransom, who has already sired Group 1 winners Pressday and Doctor Doom, who who will stand at a fee of A$8,800. And Benfica, a Group 1-winning son of Lonhro, who will stand his first season at stud at a fee of A$4,400.

   


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Seamie Heffernan

Seamie Heffernan: unsure of who he will ride in the Derby

 PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Unexposed Ranger could be pick of Derby team

TRUSTED Ballydoyle stalwart Seamie Heffernan is in a better position than most to establish the pecking order among Aidan O'Brien's Derby contenders and the rider is leaning towards the unbeaten US Army Ranger as being the stable's best prospect.

"We don't dip the tank at home. Aidan trains in a way that makes all the horses feel like champions. He saves that little bit for them to show what they're made of on the track," the rider added."If I was to sum up our Derby team, I'd say I've been impressed and disappointed by them all. US Army Ranger is still very unexposed and nobody knows how good he might be," Heffernan said.

This year's ride

Heffernan has missed out on riding in the Derby at Epsom only twice in the past ten runnings and he looks sure to be called upon this year as O'Brien still has eight colts engaged in the race.

Heffernan does not know, however, which horse he will be riding in the Epsom Classic on Saturday week.

"It's a great position to be in that decisions are made for me and I know Aidan is always on my side and fighting my corner," Heffernan said. "He always does the best he can for me. He'll put me on the horse he thinks suits my style best."

Read the full interview with Seamie Heffernan in Friday's Racing Post

        

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Ballydoyle's 2 winners at Tip Left PEDESTAL & Right AYRA TARA


        

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Arya strikes for O'Brien double

 By Gary Carson

Thu 26th May 2016, 18:26
Arya Tara and Ana O'Brien
Arya Tara and Ana O'Brien 
(Healy Racing Photos)
Arya Tara asserted inside the final furlong for a cosy success in the mile-and-a-half maiden at Tipperary, giving Aidan O'Brien a double on the card.

Lambeau Field cut out the running and looked to have his rivals on the stretch early in the straight as nearest pursuerArya Tara came under pressure.

The Dylan Thomas filly stayed on well for Aidan O'Brien, however, getting on top inside the final furlong. The 6/4 shot was pulling away at the end for a comprehensive three-and-a-half length win.

Monocle, sent off the 4/5 favourite, couldn't pick up in the straight and was never better than fourth.

"She had a good run the last day and the step up in trip helped,” said Joseph O'Brien.

"She is versatile ground-wise and it would be great if we could get black-type somewhere."

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)



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Pedestal proves best in opener

 By Gary Carson

Thu 26th May 2016, 17:31
Seamus Heffernan
Seamus Heffernan
(Healy Racing Photos)
Pedestal overcame greenness to open his account at the second time of asking in the opening five-furlong maiden at Tipperary.

Seamus Heffernan had the son of Invincible Spirit to the fore throughout and, despite drifting left and carrying his head high, he asserted inside the final furlong.

The Ballydoyle colt, sent off the 9/4 favourite, was well on top at the line to record a length-and-three-quarter success over Mayleaf Shine.<Pedestal had been fifth on his debut behind Van Der Decken, over six furlongs, at the Curragh just four days ago.

"We (Ballydoyle) wouldn't have had many Invincible Spirits over the years but he is a nice horse and came on from the experience at the Curragh the last day,” said Joseph O'Brien.

"He was a bit green and was doing a bit of whinnying when he came back in which would suggest he'd be better with more racing.

"He's a big horse and there's more to come and he will get seven furlongs too - it was his class that got him through (over five) today."

The sixth placed Youarewonder was disqualified as rider Gary Halpin failed to weigh in.

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)


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Throwback Thursday - Remembering the Brilliant SO YOU THINK one of the most consistent Group One Performers Ever




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Aidan O’Brien to stick with Derby-winning numbers game


By Andy Stephens

Aidan O’Brien has never run more than five horses when landing the Derby and could well stick with that formula on Saturday week.

It has been a sign of collective weakness at Ballydoyle when the trainer has thrown six or more darts at the Epsom showpiece.

In 2007 he saddled eight runners, but failed to find the target, and two years later his half a dozen contenders were all left trailing by Sea The Stars.

By contrast, Galileo (2001) and Camelot (2012) flew solo for O’Brien on their way to glory in the premier Classic, while High Chaparral (2002) was joined by just two stablemates. Australia (2014) was one of four O’Brien challengers, and Ruler Of The World (2013) the pick of five.

US Army Ranger, Port Douglas, Deauville and Idaho are all on course to represent O’Brien this time. The quartet could be joined by Bravery and Shogun, but that pair have the French Derby as an alternative.

The Gurkha, dazzling winner of the French 2,000 Guineas, has not been completely discounted but O’Brien says it is “more than likely” he will instead head for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 14.

Beacon Rock is another possible, but the King Edward VII Stakes at the royal meeting is an obvious alternative.

O’Brien insists Ryan Moore had yet to decide who he will ride, but it will be a big surprise if the three-time champion jockey deserts the unbeaten US Army Ranger, who touched off Port Douglas in the Chester Vase this month.

O’Brien said that a stronger pace would have shown US Army Ranger in a better light on that occasion and added: "We knew that there was always a danger that he was going to find Chester very strange.

“He should come on and learn a lot from the race. He’s a very clear-winded horse and does not need a lot of work. There is a good chance that Ryan will ride him but I couldn't say for definite.”

Port Douglas and Deauville were work companions throughout last year. Port Douglas was trying to give US Army Ranger 4lb when beaten a short head by him at Chester and O’Brien said: “He’s a very solid horse, not the biggest and should handle the track.”

Of Deauville, he added: “He’s a very good moving horse and likes a good bit of ground. We were very happy with him in the Dante and you could not be happier except that John's [Gosden] horse came and got him.

“We are very happy with him, he is not too big and a well-balanced horse. He is a typical Galileo - very genuine - and he should progress.”


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Earring sparkles at Gowran 

Wed 25th May 2016, 20:45
Earring and Seamie Heffernan beat An Cailin Orga
Earring and Seamie Heffernan beat An Cailin Orga
(Healy Racing Photos)
The Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden at Gowran today was a real battle of the blue-bloods with the Aidan O'Brien trained Earring edging out the marginally 'better' bred, Jim Bolger trained runner-up An Cailin Orga.

The maiden was a real advertisement for the high quality of Irish flat racing at present, as winner Earring is out of Together, which finished second in both the 2011 English and Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Nicely held length and a half runner-up An Cailin Orga is herself out of top racemare Finsceal Beo, who, in 2007, famously won those two Classics.

Following today's race, Earring's rider Seamie Heffernan stated “she (Earring) has a lovely pedigree, and had a nice first run. I'd imagine the ground was a good help to her. It's beautiful ground.

"She will probably stay around that trip next time."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee



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10 For Ballydoyle in the Sussex Stakes 




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Monach Lands the Opener at Gowran 


Wed 25th May 2016, 18:27
Monarch and Donnacha O'Brien finish along the outside running rail
Monarch and Donnacha O'Brien finish along the outside running rail
(Healy Racing Photos)
The Aidan O'Brien trained Monarch gave his odds-on followers plenty of cause for concern before eventually justifying 8/11 favouritism, under Donnacha O'Brien, in the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden at Gowran today.

The son of Galileo moved to the front early in the home straight but when asked to quicken, veered badly left and seemingly away from the whip, under two furlongs out.

Those standing outside the railing took evasive backwards steps as Monarch approached but once finding that running rail, the colt kept a straight line from there for what proved a comfortable two and a quarter lengths win, over Flying Fairies.

Afterwards jockey O'Brien stated, "He tried to go for the gate. He has plenty of ability, and I'm glad we had the chifney (bit) on him."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee





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Found back in Epsom reckoning

  • Last Updated: May 24 2016, 20:53 BST

Found could still run in the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Cup at Epsom after pleasing Aidan O'Brien on Tuesday morning.

Found: Could still make Epsom line-up.

Found: Could still make Epsom line-up.

Last year's Breeders' Cup heroine has already had three races in 2016, the latest coming on Sunday when she was second to Fascinating Rock in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien had indicated Found was unlikely to run at Epsom, but after having assessed the condition of the horse on Tuesday morning, the Ballydoyle chief is now warming to the idea.

Coolmore UK representative Kevin Buckley said on Tuesday evening: "There is now a possibility that she could turn up for the Coronation Cup.

"Aidan rang me after Breakfast With The Stars and said she'd pulled out really well after the weekend and that he was reconsidering his decision to let her participate at Epsom, subject to the owners' approval."

O'Brien's two other entries, Bondi Beach and Highland Reel, are unlikely runners.

"Bondi Beach has run recently and we will probably wait until mid-June with him. Highland Reel has run twice this year and has got a lot of air miles already and will probably not be totally ready to run in 10 days' time," said Buckley.


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TAJ MAHAL Gleneagles full brother could start off in listed company entered in 

the Coolmore War Command Rochestown Stakes on Sunday



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Aidan says Ryan Moore will more than likely Pick US Army Ranger to ride in the 

Derby These are his thoughts on the contenders


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EPSOM REPORT FROM KEVIN BUCKLEY 


"Possibility Ballydoyle may not make the Investec Oaks, Minding will be assessed over the coming days before an Oaks decision is made & Seventh Heaven and Somehow are described as unlikely Ballydoyle starters in the Oaks. Even Song is likely to run. Minding still number one & Even Song probably number two at this stage, Found May Now head to Epsom, one more run in the summer and a break for an autumn campaign Bondi Beach likely to wait until mid-June and Highland Reel probably not going to be ready for the Coronation Cup either.


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Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News Update 24th May




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Ryan Moore riding Minding (C, purple) win

Minding: Oaks decision expected early next week

 PICTURE: Getty Images

Minding Oaks decision set for next week

A DECISION on Minding's participation in the Investec Oaks a week on Friday is likely to be delayed until early next week, trainer Aidan O'Brien has revealed.

The 1,000 Guineas winner lost out by a head to Jet Setting in a rousing finish to the Irish 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, though she retained her position as market leader for the Epsom Classic. She was on Monday night a best-priced 11-8 with Betfair Sportsbook.

At the Curragh Minding hit her head leaving the stalls and was found after the race to have a mark on the right side of her face and a cut between her nostrils.

O'Brien told the Racing Post on Monday: "Minding had a swelling on her face this morning but was otherwise fine. John Halley, our vet, had a look at her and he was quite happy with her.

"She'll be having an easy week and we'll make a decision about the Oaks when we see how she is towards end of the week or early next week."

He added: "The Oaks has always been the plan for her but we'll just have to wait and see now."

Second favourite for the Oaks, at 4-1, is stablemate Ballydoyle, who finished an encouraging runner-up to Minding at Newmarket.


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John F Kennedy has been retried to stud in Argentina he sadly injured himself on His last start in America we wish the best of luck in his new venture 


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Caravaggio at the Curragh montage of brilliant David Betts Photography Pictures put together By Me




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Leading Sires Tables after weekends racing updated in News Section

Galileo is Clear Power remains in 5th and Zoffany leads 2nd season sires 

 

 




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O'Brien & Moore combine for double in finale

Sun 22nd May 2016, 17:51
The Major General (right) beats Secret Splendour
The Major General (right) beats Secret Splendour
(Healy Racing Photos)
Trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore gained a measure of compensation for Minding's 1,000 Guineas defeat earlier when securing a double on the day as The Major General landed the concluding Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden at the Curragh today.

The 1,000 Guineas was run as the second race on the card today and while Minding's narrow defeat to Jet Setting was the day's big talking point, O'Brien and Moore did win the Gallinule Stakes with Beacon Rock before The Major General (9/2 — 3/1) landed the concluding maiden.

Following that maiden win, O'Brien stated “it's good that he's won and Ryan gave him a very good ride. He thought that trip was maybe about right for him and he doesn't want to be in front too soon.

“He has plenty of ability and is a horse that could start to progress now. It took time with him for the penny to drop.”< The Major General was a E1,500,000 purchase from breeder Jim Bolger's Redmonstown Stud at Goffs in September 2014.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson




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O'Brien 'disappointed' following Found defeat

Sun 22nd May 2016, 17:54
Found
Found
(Healy Racing Photos)
Aidan O'Brien expressed his disappointment at the defeat of his Found in the Tattersalls Gold Cup today.

The Breeders Cup Turf winner was no match for Fascinating Rock in the closing stages and later in the day, O'Brien commented "it's always a bit disappointing when you are beat but she ran very well.

“She has the choice of two races: either at Epsom or Ascot.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson



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Derby bid unlikely for The Gurkha

Sun 22nd May 2016, 17:41
The Gurkha
The Gurkha
(Healy Racing Photos)
French 2000 Guineas hero The Gurkha is likely to sidestep the Investec Derby and instead head to Royal Ascot to contest the St James's Palace Stakes.

The Galileo colt was a brilliant winner at Deauville last weekend and after Air Force Blue disappointed in the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday, trainer Aidan O'Brien is set to let The Gurkha take on his fellow star three-year-olds over a mile in Berkshire.

Air Force Blue, who also failed to fire in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier in the month, is set to come back in distance for the Commonwealth Cup.

O'Brien said: " I'm not sure, but I'd imagine we're looking at Ascot (for The Gurkha).

"We felt that what happened (to Air Force Blue at the Curragh) could happen and it did. We've always felt that he (The Gurkha) could then switch in for that (St James's Palace).

"The other horse could come back to six furlongs. He wanted to go fast on Saturday and I've no doubt he didn't stay.

"He's a fast horse. We'll discuss it, but he's more than likely going to go for the six-furlong race (Commonwealth Cup)."



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Beacon Rock shines at Curragh for Aidan O'Brien 

and Ryan Moore


Beacon Rock led from start to finish to claim victory in the Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh.

The Group Three contest has been dominated by Aidan O'Brien in recent years, with the Ballydoyle maestro having saddled 13 of the last 19 winners, and he fielded three of the five runners this year.

Beacon Rock was the 9-10 favourite, having run creditably in the Ballysax Stakes and in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, and soon dominated under Ryan Moore.

The Dermot Weld-trained Foxtrot Charlie tried to throw down a challenge in the straight, but Beacon Rock found plenty for pressure to score by two lengths.

Santa Monica, the only filly in the line-up, finished strongly to grab the runner-up spot.

O'Brien said: "He's a tough horse and kept responding.

"Ryan was left alone in front and gave him a very good ride. He was only doing what he had to do.

"We'll have a good look at Ascot with all those horses and he'll get a mile and a half."



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MINDING Beaten in Irish 1000 Guineas by a head by Jet Setting Aidan reports Minding banged her head coming out of the stalls in Irish 1,000 Guineas





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Ryan Moore riding Minding (C, purple) win

Minding was an impressive winner of the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket

 PICTURE: Getty Images

Minding is the Guineas supersub for Ballydoyle

MINDING, the Investec Oaks favourite, will be attempting to become only the third filly to complete the Newmarket-Curragh 1,000 Guineas double when she faces 13 rivals in Sunday’s Tattersalls-sponsored contest.

Minding, a triple Group 1 winner, was an impressive three-and-a-half-length winner at Newmarket three weeks ago and got the go-ahead for the Curragh Classic only on Friday morning, when her stablemate Ballydoyle was ruled out due to an unsatisfactory blood count.It was in the same event in 1997 that Aidan O’Brien enjoyed Classic success for the first time in his outstanding career and since that initial victory with Classic Park, the Ballydoyle trainer has brought his Irish 1,000 Guineas haul to six courtesy, of Imagine, who went to win the Oaks, Yesterday, Halfway To Heaven, Misty For Me and Marvellous.

'Surprised if she is defeated'

O’Brien said: “We were thinking of sending Minding straight for the Investec Oaks but decided to declare her for the Curragh when we had to rule out Ballydoyle. She’s in good form and the rain shouldn’t inconvenience her, although we wouldn’t like to see it getting very testing.

“She came out of her Newmarket win well and we’re happy with her.”

Ryan Moore, who was on board Minding at Newmarket, takes the ride again and is expecting to secure another Classic.

He said in his Betfair blog: "She clearly brings the best form into the race and certainly wouldn't mind any rain, so of course she is the one to beat and I'll be disappointed and surprised if she is defeated.

"This is a big field so she will need some luck in running, but this filly has gears and gives you options."



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No Joy For Ballydoyle in the Irish 2000 Guineas Bravery 4th Shogun 5th Air Vice Marshall 6th Air Force Blue 7th 



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CARAVAGGIO Mighty Impressive winner of the Listed Marble Hill Stakes 

Caravaggio is 3-1 from 8-1 for the Coventry Stakes


Sat 21st May 2016, 17:10
Ryan Moore
Ryan Moore
(Healy Racing Photos)
Aidan O'Brien has been very much the trainer to follow with nine wins in the last 17 runnings of the Listed Marble Hill Stakes and his Caravaggio impressed when asserting to land this year's contest.

Ryan Moore's mount raced in touch as Mister Trader grabbed the rail and took the field along. Moore switched him out to challengeMister Trader in the final furlong and the grey son of Scat Daddy hit the front in the closing stages to land the spoils by two and a quarter lengths.

He was popular with punters in the morning who snapped up the 11/10 and backed him down to 4/7f on the off.< Mister Trader came home second under Leigh Roche at 7/1 with Abiguity in third at 12/1. He was beaten six and a half lengths by the winner.

Aidan O'Brien said: "He's not a soft ground horse so I'm very happy with that. That's his first run on grass, and he will have learned a lot today. Ryan gave him a lovely ride.

"We'll have to decide which race to go for at Royal Ascot but I think he will get six furlongs."

Ryan Moore added: "I was very happy with him. A big baby of a horse, he did it very smoothly and I'm sure he can only improve and hopefully he has a nice future."<Caravaggio made it two from two after winning his maiden on the polytrack at Dundalk last month.

Paddy Power cut Caravaggio from 8/1 to 3/1 favourite for the Norfolk Stakes. Betfair also go 3/1 while BoyleSports and Ladbrokes make him a 4/1 chance. Paddy Power kept him unchanged at 7/1 for the Coventry Stakes while BoyleSports cut him from 10/1 to 5/1 and Ladbrokes have him 4/1 from 8s.

This gave O'Brien a double on the card as Brave Anna took the opening juvenile fillies' maiden.

By Michael Graham Additional reporting by Alan Magee


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Brave Anna sees them off in the Curragh


 By Michael Graham

Sat 21st May 2016, 16:02
Seamie Heffernan
Seamie Heffernan
(Healy Racing Photos)
Brave Anna stepped up on her debut run to win going away in the fillies' maiden that got Guineas weekend under way at the Curragh.

This six-furlong race was subject to a delay of almost 10 minutes as Pepperminty(16/1) got loose and then refused to load.Magical Fire (7/2) was also withdrawn after being dismounted at the start. This saw a Rule 4 deduction of 25 cent in the euro to all bets.

Only three horses were a factor and it was horses with previous experience - How,Lady Beware and Brave Anna.

Aidan O'Brien's How broke well to lead under Ryan Moore with Lady Beware chasing her in second Aidan O'Brien second-stringBrave Anna tracking in third.

With over two furlongs to travel, How was still travelling well with the other jockeys in behind exerting their arms.

Heffernan switchedBrave Anna out at the furlong pole and she began to launch her challenge. Lady Beware had got on terms with How at this stage but the pair were mowed down inside the final 100 yards asBrave Anna finished the best to win by a length.

She was returned at 9/2. Lady Beware (14/1) pipped 13/8 favourite How for second by a neck.

Aidan O'Brien said: "She came home well and is a sister to Hit It A Bomb who got a mile well. She can certainly step up to seven furlongs now. Ryan's horse (How) was a bit keen in front and got a bit tired."

"I'm a bit worried about the ground for Air Force Blue. We'll have to have a chat now and then decide. Today would help us to know whether to stay at a mile or go back to six furlongs at Royal Ascot. I really believe he's a very quick horse.

"We had a similar decision to run or not in the National Stakes last year, and we decided to run in order to know if he would handle the ground for this year. He got away with it that day but he has another furlong to go now."

Seamie Heffernan added: "She had a lovely run at Naas [in eighth]. Ryan's is a very, very quick filly and I'd say there is soft in the ground now so my one got home better than the two in front.

"She has a great pedigree, she's bred to be good so hopefully she ends up being good."<Brave Anna is a full sister to the unbeaten Hit It A Bomb who won the Grade One Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland last October.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee



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Found faces seven in search for Tattersalls Gold Cup triumph at the Curragh


Found

Found will face seven rivals in her bid to provide Aidan O'Brien with a seventh victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on Sunday.

The master of Ballydoyle has landed the Group One prize with the likes of Duke Of Marmalade (2008), Fame And Glory (2010) and So You Think (2011 and 2012) in recent years and top-class filly Found is a hot favourite to follow in their hoof prints.

Having signed off last season with victory over the brilliant Golden Horn in the Breeders' Cup Turf, the daughter of Galileo suffered defeat on her return to action in April's Alleged Stakes, but raised her game to win the Mooresbridge three weeks ago.

Fascinating Rock beat Found in last season's Champion Stakes at Ascot and although that form was reversed in the Mooresbridge, with Dermot Weld's charge finishing third, he can be expected to strip fitter for the run.

Kevin Ryan saddles stable star The Grey Gatsby, while R oger Charlton, who won this prize twice with Al Kazeem (2013 and 2015), sends Time Test across the Irish Sea.

Success Days split Found and Fascinating Rock in the Mooresbridge and trainer Ken Condon is keeping his fingers crossed for another bold show.

"If the ground is right, he's going to give it a rattle for sure. He would be lighter and tighter now, but he is a 33-1 shot," Condon told At The Races.

"Found in my opinion is the best horse in training in Europe and Roger Charlton's horse looks like he's improving and he will probably win a Group One race."

Jessica Harrington's Bocca Baciata, the John Murphy-trained Hot Sauce and Fascinating Rock's stablemate The Steward complete an eight-strong field.



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Air Force Blue (Ryan Moore)

Air Force Blue (right): failed to fire when favourite at Newmarket

 PICTURE: Martin Lynch (racingpost.com/photos)

O’Brien believes Air 
Force can bounce back

AIR FORCE BLUE gets his chance at redemption after his poor display in the 2,000 Guineas when he leads Aidan O'Brien's bid for an 11th victory in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas.

Last year's champion two-year-old never threatened in the Newmarket Classic and beat only one home when finishing 15 lengths behind the winner Galileo Gold, who is favourite to complete the Guineas double.

Even if he does prove himself a miler today, he will have to go some to beat Galileo Gold on the evidence of the 2,000 Guineas, and odds of around 5-2 are arguably more reflective of his trainer's prowess than his own.Air Force Blue will race without the tongue-tie which he wore at Newmarket and how he fares at his second attempt over a mile will determine whether he will be dropped in distance.

O'Brien said: "Obviously, we were very disappointed with Air Force Blue at Newmarket. Maybe I might have been too hard on him in his preparation for the race but we've changed his work routine and he seems in good form.

"We decided to give him another chance over the distance and we're going to find out whether or not he's a miler."

More from Marshal

Interestingly, O'Brien's winners of the Curragh event include three - Mastercraftsman, Roderic O'Connor and Power - who were beaten in the Newmarket Guineas before landing the Irish equivalent.

Whereas Air Force Blue flopped at Newmarket, Air Vice Marshal performed well in finishing fourth, and O'Brien is hopeful he can better that effort.

He said: "We were very pleased with Air Vice Marshal's run at Newmarket and have been happy with him since. We're hoping he can improve and run another good race."

Completing the Ballydoyle quartet are Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial runner-up Shogun, who has blinkers back on after racing without them at Leopardstown, and Dundalk maiden winner Bravery, the mount of the trainer's son Donnacha.

"Shogun ran a good race in the Derrinstown," the trainer added. "He's in good form and we think he can improve.

"Bravery is taking a big step up in class and we're just hoping he'll run a nice race."



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Weekend Runners & Riders



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Aidan O'Brien retains strong hand in Epsom Derby


A total of 22 colts were accepted at the latest forfeit stage for the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 4.

Aidan O'Brien has left eight in, including French 2000 Guineas winner The Gurkha and US Army Ranger, while Sir Michael Stoute has left in Midterm, Across The Stars and Ulysses.

Guineas runner-up Massaat, Dermot Weld's Harzand and Jim Bolger's Moonlight Magic are all still in the mix.

Hugo Palmer decided to take away the temptation of running 2000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold, while Wings Of Desire, Cloth Of Stars, Humphrey Bogart and Linguistic could all still be supplemented for £75,000 on May 30.



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Minding: a surprise runner in Sunday's Irish 1,000 Guineas

Minding: a surprise runner in Sunday's Irish 1,000 Guineas

 PICTURE: Getty Images

Minding to bid for 1,000 Guineas double

MINDING, who was not quoted for the race during the week with her participation much in doubt, will after all bid for a 1,000 Guineas double at the Curragh on Sunday.

Ballydoyle, who had been odds-on for the Tattersalls-sponsored Irish 1,000 Guineas and had finished second to her stablemate at Newmarket earlier in the month, will miss the race.

Speaking to the Racing Post on Friday morning, trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "We've decided to declare Minding for the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas but Ballydoyle's blood picture wasn't 100 per cent right this morning and she won't be declared."

He added: "Vancouver, who was due to have his first run since joining us from Australia in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday, will also miss his race as we weren't happy with his bloods when we checked out our weekend runners this morning.

"It's unfortunate as we were keen to run him with Royal Ascot in mind."

O'Brien was considering heading straight to the Investec Oaks with Minding, and the Epsom Classic remains the target for the impressive 1,000 Guineas winner.

Minding will head up O'Brien's Irish 1,000 Guineas bid, with Coolmore, Pretty Perfect and Californiadreaming expected to join her in the line-up.



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VANCOUVER New for 2016 Coolmore poster and Video simply click on the 

below poster to view the video.

 


 



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There is only one Galileo - (digital art piece by me) - Photo courtesy of




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Aidan has 10 of the 24 fillies left in the Investec Oaks at the latest cut-off stage 




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Aidan could be represented By Group One Winners Found & Highland Reel, & Group Three scorer Bondi Beach In the Coronation Cup


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Vancouver set for European debut


Great expectation rests on the shoulders of Vancouver, who has been touted as the best horse Coolmore has ever received from Australia.

The boom colt will make his northern hemisphere debut under the watchful eye of champion trainerAidan O’Brien in the Group 2 Greenland Stakes at The Curragh, on the second day of the prestigious Irish Guineas Festival.

Last season’s Golden Slipper Stakes winner set sail from the stables of former trainer Gai Waterhouse in January this year, and is being prepared by Coolmore for a Royal Ascot campaign, followed by the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on July 8.

Michael Kirwan, General Manager of Coolmore Australia, told Racing.com’s Racing Ahead on RSN 927 Vancouver’s first-up performance on Saturday night (Australian time) will prove a measure of his potential.

“The horse has got a high profile,” Kirwan said.

“He hasn’t been in Ireland that long with Aidan ... he needs a guide on the horse before he heads to Royal Ascot.

“As far as I know the horse is going very well, [Aidan’s] very happy with him, so fingers crossed.

“[Vancouver] is showing a lot of speed, [which is] something that Aidan probably hasn’t trained an awful lot of.

“He’s very excited about this horse, he’s doing exactly what we think he is capable of doing.”

After the July Cup, Vancouver will return to Australia to commence stud duties alongside Pierro at Coolmore Stud.

Aside from Vancouver, O’Brien has a large team descending on The Curragh for the time-honoured Irish Guineas Festival.

O’Brien is likely to have a handful of runners in Sunday’s Irish 2000 Guineas, despite last week’s impressive G1 Poule D’Essai Des Poulains winner The Gurkha being an unlikely starter.

Found, a filly who won last start at The Curragh, will headline the Coolmore operation in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, also on Sunday.



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Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News May 17th 2016 



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8 remain in the Tattersalls Gold cup including Found - 19 remain in the Irish 1000 Guineas Including Minding Californiadreaming Coolmore Even Song Pretty Perfect & Ballydoyle -14 remain in the Irish 2000 Guineas including Air Force Blue Air Vice Marshall Bravery & The Gurkha


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THE GURKHA - Another digital art piece by me



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Long Island Sound still unbeaten

By Michael Graham

Long Island Sound, right, outguns Elusive Heights
Long Island Sound, right, outguns Elusive Heights
(Healy Racing Photos)

Aidan O'Brien's Long Island Sound maintained his unbeaten record when keeping on best to win by a length in Killarney.

Seamie Heffernan sent him to the front early on in this mile race but the pair were challenged by Elusive Heights with a furlong and a half to travel.< Long Island Sound(8/11f) knuckled down inside the final furlong to beat that well-backed rival (9/4) into second. The runner-up kept on but didn't threaten the winner in the closing stages.

There was a two and three quarter length gap back to World Of Good. Just four horses went to post for this 20,000 euro race.

Seamie Heffernan said: "I thought the track rode a little bit tight for him and it wasn't ideal making all. He's a Group horse."< Long Island Sound was making his debut on grass after landing two races on the polytrack in Dundalk.

He holds an entry in the Group One St James's Palace Stakes.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes




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How unlucky was MONARCH In the opener at Kilarney a clear run wins by lengths




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Aidan O’Brien - Minding not certain to run in Irish Guineas

     Ryan Moore with Minding

Brilliant Qipco 1000 Guineas winner Minding is not certain to take her chance in the Tattersalls-sponsored Irish version at the Curragh on Sunday.

Such was the dazzling effort Aidan O'Brien's filly produced on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, she is hot favourite for the Investec Oaks at Epsom next month.

Stablemate Ballydoyle chased home Ryan Moore's mount and does look set for the weekend.

O'Brien has also confirmed Californiadreaming, Coolmore, Even Song and Pretty Perfect.

He said:"We have left Minding in the race but she is not a definite runner and it is possible that Ballydoyle might run instead of her.

" Coolmore could run as well and we could run something else, but we'll take a look later in the week."



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Long Overdue an update FASTNET ROCK Stats >



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Knife Edge Winner of the German 2000 Guineas in Cologne for Team Coolmorehttp://www.aidanobrienfansite.com/chris-palmer-internationa…



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Another group race winner for Zoffany http://www.aidanobrienfansite.com/zoffany.php


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Aidan Closing the gap




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A.P.O'Brien Career Stats Updated



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Galileo's Classic Winners 



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Sadly JOHN F KENNEDY finished 7th out of 8 on American Debut




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He looks Special THE GURKHA 




 


   


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Sires Tables updated - Galileo pouring it on in front Power remains in 5th in 1st 

season sires 




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 THE GURKHA (Galileo) winning the French 2000 Guineas



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The Gurkha

The Gurkha: impressive winner of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains

 PICTURE: ScoopDyga

Galileo makes presence felt in French Classics

OUTSTANDING Coolmore sire Galileo supplied yet another Classic winner and also advertised his credentials as a broodmare sire on French Guineas day at Deauville on Sunday.

The Poule d'Essai des Poulains was won by the Aidan O'Brien-trainedThe Gurkha, who did not run at two and landed a Navan maiden by nine lengths on his second start last month.

The Gurkha becomes Galileo's 56th individual top-flight winner.

La Cressonniere, now unbeaten in six starts, is the seventh top-flight scorer produced by a daughter of Galileo.The Poule d'Essai des Pouliches fell to the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained filly La Cressonniere, who carried the silks of her breeder Gerard Augustin-Normand.

Galileo has now appeared in the pedigrees of all four European Group 1 Classic winners this season, as he was the sire of 1,000 Guineas heroine Minding and damsire of 2,000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold.

Coolmore mare Chintz a no-frills broodmare

The Gurkha is the third foal produced by the Danehill Dancer mare Chintz, who was trained by David Wachman to defeat subsequent Grade 1 winner Lahaleeb when she scored in the Group 3 CL Weld Park Stakes at two.

Chintz - who failed to trouble the judge in seven starts at three - is one of five winners out of the Slew O'Gold mare Gold Dodger, who won the Listed Prix de la Pepiniere over 1m2f at Longchamp at four.

Gold Dodger is out of the fine producer Brooklyn's Dance, also the dam of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Solemia and Group 1-placed pair Prospect Park and Prospect Wells.

Other members of this high-achieving family are Group 1 scorers Okawango, Quijano, Silasol and - eye-catchingly for The Gurkha's future Classic plans - Derby winner Authorized.

Chintz has visited Galileo in every year of her paddocks career.

Illinois, a colt who was her first foal, won a Tipperary maiden in impressive fashion on his sole start at two, but died that season.

Queen Nefertiti, a four-year-old filly, was a wide-margin Leopardstown maiden winner at two and finished third in the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes last year.

Chintz has no two-year-old offspring but has a yearling filly.

The cross of Galileo over Danehill is renowned for producing Frankel among a host of top-class talent, and the cross over Danehill's son Danehill Dancer is now responsible for The Gurkha and Minding.

La Cressonniere a new star for Le Havre

The Le Havre filly La Cressonniere is the third foal produced byAbsolute Lady, who was unplaced in six starts at three.

The dam was bought as a broodmare prospect by Sylvain Vidal on behalf of Augustin-Normand for €40,000 at the Arqana February Mixed Sale in 2010.

La Cressonniere is her first winner, as her first two foals - the five-year-old mare Annoville and four-year-old colt Saon, both also by Le Havre - were unplaced in France and Germany.

Absolute Lady also has a two-year-old filly by Air Chief Marshal called Tonneville and a yearling colt by Le Havre called Gratot.

Razza Pallorsi bred Absolute Lady out of their Kris mare Lil's Jessy, the surprise winner of the Nell Gwyn Stakes in 2001.

Lil's Jessy, a half-sister to stakes winners Lobbyist and Lone Bid, also produced Group 2 Blandford Stakes third Paris Winds to Galileo.

La Cressonniere is the second Classic winner produced by Le Havre, a Prix du Jockey Club hero campaigned by Augustin-Normand and stood by him at Haras de la Cauviniere in Normandy, after the stallion's first-crop daughter Avenir Certain, who also won the Prix de Diane in 2014.

Le Havre - whose half-brother Astronereus won the Group 3 Al Rayyan Stakes at Newbury on Saturday - is the sire of 13 individual stakes winners.

The son of Noverre, who stands at a fee of €35,000 this year, is also the sire of Group scorers Auvray, Queen Bee and Suedois.


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Bridge completes Navan treble for O'Brien


Immortal Bridge gets back up to beat Magnolia Rose and Successor
Immortal Bridge gets back up to beat Magnolia Rose and Successor 
(Healy Racing Photos)

Aidan O'Brien landed 1m 5f Excelebration Maiden for the sixth year in-a-row, as hisImmortal Bridge got up close home to provide his trainer with a treble on the card.

Well-beaten on his first two starts, the son of Fastnet Rock was a closer fifth on his most recent outing at Gowran.

Sent off a 6/1 chance today he was settled behind the leaders by Donnacha O'Brien.

He was ridden in third from three furlongs out, and hit the front at the two furlong pole.

He was headed by newcomer Magnolia Rose with over a furlong to race, but he battled back gamely inside the final furlong, getting up to score by half a length.<Magnolia Rose (14/1 from 5's this morning) had to settle for second under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld, while the 6/4 favourite Successor was another half a length back in third under Seamie Heffernan for Aidan O'Brien.

Joseph O'Brien said afterwards: "He's very lazy but he stays well.

"He'll probably go for a handicap now. The good ground was probably a help to him being a Fasnet Rock."

Aidan O'Brien was earlier successful with Washington DC and Bondi Beach, while he also landed the French 2000 Guineas with The Gurkha.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson



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The Gurkha impresses in French Guineas


The Gurkha stepped up dramatically on his maiden success to take Classic honours in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 2000 Guineas) at Deauville.

Supplemented on the back on his convincing win at Navan, the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt stormed clear in the final furlong to strike in impressive fashion.

The start of the race was delayed as The Gurkha was re-plated, but it did not damage his chances as he travelled well throughout.

Ryan Moore tracked First Selection for most of the race, with Simon Crisford's representative heading the group in the centre of the course and Zelzal leading four horses on the near side.

However, The Gurkha settled the issue in a matter of strides to give O'Brien a fourth win in the Pouliches.

First Selection, seventh to Galileo Gold in the Qipco 2000 Guineas, ran a terrific race as he held on gamely for second place, with Dicton third.

The two other British runners, Richard Fahey's Birchwood and Crazy Horse from John Gosden's stable, were well beaten.

 



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Bondi Beach workmanlike in Vintage Crop


Bondi Beach (left) is pushed out by Seamie Heffernan to beat Toe The Line
Bondi Beach (left) is pushed out by Seamie Heffernan to beat Toe The Line
(Healy Racing Photos)

Bondi Beach put in a workmanlike performance to win the feature at Navan today, the Group 3 Coolmore Vintage Crop Stakes.

Successful in a Listed contest on his seasonal reappearance at Limerick last month, the four-year-old son of Galileo was expected to follow-up today.

Sent off the 1/9 favourite he was settled in third by Seamie Heffernan as Silwanamade the running.

He was pushed along with over two furlongs to race, and came to challenge Toe The Line on the outer at the furlong pole.

He was soon ridden to the front, and despite an awkward head carriage close home, he kept on to score by a length and a half.< Toe The Line finished second at 8/1 underColin Keane for John Kiely, while Silwana was last of the three, a further four and a quarter lengths back.

Zannda (in season) was early pulled out of the contest.

Joseph O'Brien said afterwards: "When he gets to the front he idles. He settled well and it was a very tactical race. The one in front didn't go very quick.

"I don't know whether he'll go for the Saval Beg before the Gold Cup or straight to Ascot.

"You'd be very happy with that."<Bondi Beach was completing a double on the card for his trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Seamie Heffernan, after they were earlier successful with Washington DC.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

 


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Washington DC bounces back to his best

Washington DC is pushed out by Seamie Heffernan
Washington DC is pushed out by Seamie Heffernan
(Healy Racing Photos)

Sun 15th May 2016, 14:03


The Aidan O'Brien trained Washington DC bounced back to his best as he ran out a comfortable winner of the opener at Navan, the Listed Coolmore Stud Power Stakes.

Having won a Listed race at Dundalk on his seasonal reappearance, the son of Zoffany was a disappointing seventh when sent off favourite on his next start in a Group 3 at Ascot.

Sent off the 13/8 favourite today he was settled behind the leaders by Seamie Heffernan.

He was pushed along to challenge from the two furlong pole, and he swept to the front with over a furlong to race, keeping on well from there to score by two and a quarter lengths.

Diamond Fields (16/1) kept on well to take second under Wayne Lordan for Tommy Stack, while Only Mine (9/1 from 14's this morning) was a neck back in third under Gary Carroll for Joe Murphy.

Joseph O'Brien said afterwards: "He won well in fairness to him and the ground was a big help.

"It was a bit slow for him the last day and a few things didn't work out - he got a bump.

"He has a lot of pace and was a good two-year-old. I'd say he'll go for the Commonwealth Cup.

"He's a quick horse and fast ground is the key to him as he's a low mover. Five or six is his trip."



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^^^ DEAUVILLE (2nd in Dante Stakes behind John Gosden's Wings Of Desire)



^^^ BLACK SEA 




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Royal Ascot Heroine Acapulco Returns in Unbridled Sidney Full Story here http://www.aidanobrienfansite.com/chris-palmer-internationa…


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Cuff winner of the Opener - Photo's Courtesy of thanks Lads



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Deauville shows plenty of promise in Dante


Deauville got nailed late on in the Dante he sat in a handy position early on and took up the running 2 out to be just picked off late by Wings Of Desire. 

It was a solid run considering it was his first start of the season and looks like there is plenty more to come.

Aidan said of Deauville: "He ran well and we are very happy with that display, especially because it was his first run of the year. He likes good ground and is a very good mover. His only bad run was in the Racing Post Trophy which came at the end of the year on very bad ground.

"The lads will decide if goes to the Derby. But I've been very happy with all the horses in all the trials, even those that haven't won."





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Nyquist-360

Nyquist: the unbeaten three-year-old is a son of Uncle Mo

 PICTURE: Getty Images

Kentucky Derby furthers the rise of Uncle Mo

SO swift has been Uncle Mo's rise to the top it barely seems conceivable that only a year ago he was nothing more than a promising young stallion.

In the 13 months since Outwork became his first winner at Keeneland, his stud career has featured one landmark after another, notably his achievement in securing leading American first-crop sire honours with a record-breaking $3,675,294 in earnings alongside the high-flying exploits of first-crop Grade 1 winners Nyquist, Gomo and Outwork.

When Nyquist took his record to a perfect eight in Saturday's Kentucky Derby, Uncle Mo became the tenth stallion in the past 45 years to sire a winner of the iconic race with a member of his first crop, joining a list that comprises Birdstone (Mine That Bird), Street Cry (Street Sense), Distorted Humor (Funny Cide), Maria's Mon (Monarchos), Unbridled (Grindstone), Bold Reasoning (Seattle Slew), Irish Castle (Bold Forbes), What A Pleasure (Foolish Pleasure) and Pretendre (Canonero).

Following Saturday's result, Uncle Mo leads all stallions by North American prize-money with the earners of nearly $6.7 million to his credit. In terms of general earnings, he sits behind only Tapit and Lucky Pulpit (whose figure is greatly distorted by California Chrome's win in the Dubai World Cup).

Given the level of Uncle Mo's ammunition, there must be a real possibility of the son of Indian Charlie ending 2016 as North America's champion sire in all departments, especially as it's not all about Nyquist - there had been eight other individual three-year-old stakes winners already this year, including Grade 1 Wood Memorial winner Outwork, an also-ran behind Nyquist on Saturday, alongside the likes of Uncle Lino and Mo Tom, both of whom have been mooted as possibles for the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Should he become North America's next champion sire, he will be only the first since Bold Ruler in 1963 to achieve the feat with a first crop no older than three.

It has to help that by today's standards Uncle Mo is regarded as a relative outcross, being by Indian Charlie, a descendant of Caro, and out of a mare by Roberto's grandson Arch. Northern Dancer does appear twice in his background but not until the fifth generation.

In turn, he has already crossed successfully with a number of lines, notably Storm Cat (Nyquist), Blushing Groom (Grade 1-placed Uncle Lino), Exclusive Native (Grade 1- placed Mokat) and the Mr Prospector pair of Gone West (Gomo) and Fappiano (Outwork and Grade 3 winners Mo Tom and Uncle Vinny).

Tim Hyde bred Nyquist out of the Forestry mare Seeking Gabrielle, whose sole success came in a 6f maiden claimer at Louisiana Downs. Limited she might have been on the track, but Seeking Gabrielle boasted a fine pedigree, which prompted the Kentucky-based James Keogh to purchase her privately off the track before selling her to Hyde's Summerhill Farm for $45,000 through Blandford Bloodstock at the 2011 Keeneland January Sale. Nyquist is her first foal.
Seeking Gabrielle is out of Seeking Regina, the 1994 Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes winner who later sold to the ultimately doomed Classic Star LLC for $600,000 in 2004. The daughter of Seeking The Gold foaled four stakes performers during her stud career led by Grade 3 scorer Seeking The Sky, herself the dam of Grade 1 winner Sahara Sky.

Nyquist is the latest high-profile runner to descend from a family cultivated by the Whitneys' Greentree Stud.

The Whitney family were among America's greatest racing owners of the 20th century, with various members of the clan breeding and/or racing champions such as Regret (the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby in 1915), Equipoise, Twenty Grand, Stage Door Johnny and Tom Fool.

Under the stewardship of Helen Hay Whitney (1876-1944), Greentree celebrated 79 stakes winners. Her son, John ‘Jock' Hay Whitney (1904-1982) was even more successful during his near 40-year tenure at the helm, breeding 132 stakes winners either under his own name or that of Greentree (including legendary hurdler Sea Pigeon).

Jock Whitney was also an admirer of British racing and for many years had horses in training with Jeremy Tree, among them the 1971 King's Stand Stakes winner Swing Easy and 1975 Coronation Cup winner Quiet Fling; Whitney would have no doubt taken great pleasure in Frankel, a member of his Rockfest family that was acquired by Juddmonte following his death in 1982.

THE line responsible for Nyquist descends from the 1952 Park Hill Stakes winner and Oaks third Moon Star, a daughter of Hyperion who was imported to the US in 1953.

Moon Star left behind five winners including Twinkle Twinkle, a daughter of Tom Fool who ran second in the 1960 Gazelle Stakes. In turn, she bred four winners during her brief stud career, the best of whom was the Grade 3-placed How I Wonder (by My Babu), who appears as Nyquist's fifth dam via her stakes-winning daughter Matriculation (by Greentree stallion Arts And Letters).

While the 1986 Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes winner Bachelor Beau, bred by Gary Lavin, was the best of nine winners out of Matriculation, she also foaled Listed winner Fulbright Scholar to Cox's Ridge, who in turn produced Nyquist's granddam Seeking Regina.

Nyquist's next assignment is naturally the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, the second leg of the American Triple Crown, on May 21. Should he emerge victorious in that, American racing will be in full Triple Crown mode, hopeful of celebrating its second winner in as many years.

However, the Belmont Stakes will provide a sterner test, with a group of fresher opponents likely to try their hand over 1m4f, a distance rarely contested nowadays by three-year-olds in America.
Illness prevented Uncle Mo from contesting the Classics at three, while Nyquist's dam and grandam did all their winning at around 6f. With Forestry, generally a speed influence, as his damsire, his background doesn't exactly point towards Classic success over 1m4f.

However, Nyquist silenced his doubters regarding his ability to stay 1m2f on Saturday and, given his abundant class, perhaps it isn't out of the realms of possibility for 1m4f to be within his reach.


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The Gurkha supplemented for French Guineas


The Gurkha
The Gurkha
(Healy Racing Photos)

The Gurkha has been supplemented for the French 2000 Guineas (Poule D'Essai Des Poulains) at Deauville on Sunday.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien intimated that would be the plan after the Galileo colt won a maiden at Navan by nine lengths.

A second supplementary entry was the Gianluca Bietolini-trained Dicton, winner of the Group Three Prix Fontainebleau at Chantilly last month.

There are potentially three English raiders in the shape of Simon Crisford's First Selection, Richard Fahey's Birchwood and the John Gosden-trained Crazy Horse.

Fahey reports Birchwood, third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf on his last start as a two-year-old, to be on target for the Classic, which has temporarily moved home with Longchamp undergoing redevelopment.

"All being well, between now and then, he's going to France," said the North Yorkshire handler.

Heading the home team among a total of 13 horses left in the race is the unbeaten Zarak, trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre.

Positive Vibration, trained by Jean Claude-Rouget, was the only supplementary entry for the French 1000 Guineas (Poule D'Essai Des Pouliches).

Rouget also has Qemah and La Cressonniere among a total of 14 fillies remaining.

O'Brien is represented by Qipco 1000 Guineas third Alice Springs, while English hopes rest with William Haggas' Besharah and John Gosden's Nathra.

Others include Andre Fabre's unbeaten Godolphin filly Come Alive and the Pascal Bary-trained Antonoe, owned by Khalid Abdullah.


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Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News 

Updated in news section




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 Watch Vancouver at Ballydoyle click on Poster to play Video 



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Alice Springs Declared to run in French 1000 Guineas - Bravery Declared to run in the French 2000 Guineas The Gurka to be supplemented - No Ballydoyle runner in the Prix Hocquart 


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16 Ballydoyle Coral Eclipse entries



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Bondi Beach not declared for the Yorkshire Cup He will head to Navan instead Full story in news section.


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Pictures from York today Courtesy of @LewisLUFC1919

Best in the World


Dick Whittington




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Cuff opens her account at Naas

Cuff and Seamie Heffernan hold Wayside Flower
Cuff and Seamie Heffernan hold Wayside Flower 
(Healy Racing Photos)

Cuff just lasted home to open her account in the fillies maiden at Naas this evening.

The Ballydoyle filly was an easy to back 15/8 favourite for the six-furlong contest having traded as short as 10/11 before racing.

Aidan O'Brien's charge had run greenly on her debut when a staying on fourth at Navan and again showed signs of inexperience.

Seamus Heffernan's mount was prominent and ran freely early. She disputed from halfway but ran around when asked for an effort a furlong-and-a-half from home.

The Galileo filly stuck on well inside the final furlong, however, and just held the late charge of Ger Lyons' newcomer Wayside Flower by a short-head.

"She's still very green and Seamie did very well on her and looked after her. She's still a bit of a baby,” said O'Brien.

"She hit the gates but will have learned plenty. She could come back here for the Stakes race (Naas Juvenile Fillies Sprint on May 29th), and hopefully will get a lead then."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)



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Bondi Beach (Colm O’Donoghue) wins the St Leger in the stewards room ahead of Simple Verse (Andrea Atzeni)

Bondi Beach (purple silks) a notable absentee from the Yorkshire Cup

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Favourite Bondi Beach misses Yorkshire Cup

HOT favourite Bondi Beach was not among the final field of six for the Betway Yorkshire Cup at York on Friday.

He had been as short as 5-4 with BoyleSports to win Friday's staying showpiece at York.The Galileo colt, who finished second in last year's Ladbrokes St Leger, then won it in the stewards' room, before losing it again in an appeal, made an impressive start to his four-year-old campaign when winning the Listed Martin Molony Stakes at Limerick last month.

However his name was not among the half-dozen declared on Wednesday morning and it now looks as though Flying Officer and Second Step will fight it out for favouritism.

Flying Officer has been installed as the 7-4 favourite with the sponsors, who offer 5-2 against Second Step.

The eight-year-old gelding Clever Cookie, who has been a beaten favourite on both starts in 2016, is set to wear cheekpieces for the first time in the race which was won last year by Snow Sky who repelled the late Brown Panther after a thrilling tussle up the Knavesmire home straight.


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Finsceal Beo daughter by Galileo & Pricey Excelebration colt CASTLE HOWARD set to debuts at Naas today

The concluding fillies maiden at Naas sees two particularly well-bred three-year-olds line up for the 1m contest at 8.40pm.

Galileo filly An Cailin Orga is owned and bred by Michael Ryan out of his dual 1,000 Guineas heroine Finsceal Beo, a daughter of Mr Greeley who is trained like her dam by Jim Bolger.

A year after foaling An Cailin Orga, Finsceal Beo produced a filly by Frankel, subsequently named La Figlia and now in training with William Haggas. She too topped a Goffs sale, in her case the 2014 November Foal Sale when bought by Dermot Farrington for €1.8m, an Irish record price for a foal at public auction.A half-sister to Mehl-Mulhens Rennen (German 2,000 Guineas) hero Frozen Power, Finsceal Beo has produced two winners to date including Ol' Man River, the €2.85m sale topper when purchased by M V Magnier at the 2013 Goffs Orby Sale. The son of Montjeu went on to claim the Group 2 Beresford Stakes.

Another unraced but well-connected filly in the race is the Joseph Murphy-trained Evie Be Kool, a daughter of Jeremy and sister to dual Group 2 winner Kool Kompany and Graded-placed hurdler Prussian Eagle.

Bred by Imelda O'Shaughnessy, she is out of the twice-placed Indian Ridge mare Absolutely Cool from the family of US Grade 2 winner Living The Life.

Siblings to Group winners open Naas card

The opening 6f race for two-year-old fillies offers two unraced siblings of Group winners the opportunity to start their racing careers off in the best possible way at 5.05pm.

The Patrick Prendergast-trained Fast Lily is out of the once-placed mare Lovely Blossom, a daughter of Spinning World who is dam of four winning juveniles, three of them black-type performers.

Bred by Grangecon Stud, the daughter of Fastnet Rock is a half-sister to Group 2 Lowther Stakes heroine Silk Blossom, dual Group 3 winner Mashoora and five-time stakes-placed Complimentor.

First-season sire Dragon Pulse is responsible for Magical Fire, a Michael O'Callaghan owned and trained half-sister to last season's Group 3 Prestige Stakes winner and Fillies' Mile third Hawksmoor, a daughter of Azamour.

Bred by Fontstown Stud, she is out of the unraced mare Bridal Dance, a Danehill Dancer half-sister to US Grade 3 scorer Millennium Dragon and was purchased by Powerstown Stud for €50,000 at the 2014 Goffs November Foal Sale.

Pricey Excelebration colt in Naas debut

One of four juveniles making their debut in the following 6f race at 5.40pm, the Aidan O'Brien-trained CASTLE HOWARD was a €220,000 purchase by M V Magnier at the 2014 Goffs November Foal Sale.

The son of freshman sire Excelebration was bred by Knockainey Stud out of the winning mare Four Eleven, an Arch half-sister to French Group 3 victress Summertime Legacy, dam of Group 1 winners Mandaean and Wavering from the family of Derby hero Golden Fleece.



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A Classic case of family benefit in the Derby

JUST two sires have exerted an incredibly strong influence on the Investec Derby in recent years and, on the evidence of key trials and ante-post betting, their stranglehold on the Classic looks set to continue this year.

Galileo, the Derby winner of 2001, has sired three winners - New Approach in 2008, Ruler Of The World in 2013 and Australia in 2014. Cape Cross, whose outstanding daughter Ouija Board is the dam of Australia, sired Sea The Stars, a half-brother to Galileo, in 2009 and Golden Horn last year.

The only three Derby heroes in the past eight years without either sire as an ancestor were Camelot and Pour Moi, who made it a record-equalling four winners of the race for Montjeu, and Workforce, who shares several ancestors with Galileo as his sire King's Best is a half-sister to the Coolmore stallion's outstanding dam Urban Sea.


Last eight Derby winners
Year, horse, pedigree
2015 Golden Horn (Cape Cross-Fleche D'Or, Dubai Destination)
2014 Australia (Galileo-Ouija Board, Cape Cross)
2013 Ruler Of The World (Galileo-Love Me True, Kingmambo)
2012 Camelot (Montjeu-Tarfah, Kingmambo)
2011 Pour Moi (Montjeu-Gwynn, Darshaan)
2010 Workforce (King's Best-Soviet Moon, Sadler's Wells)
2009 Sea The Stars (Cape Cross-Urban Sea, Miswaki)
2008 New Approach (Galileo-Park Express, Ahonoora)


It is a similar story in the Investec Oaks, with Galileo appearing in the families of recent winners Qualify (as maternal grandsire), Talent (paternal grandsire) and Was (sire). Two years ago the race was won by Taghrooda, a daughter of Sea The Stars - the horse who first demonstrated that mingling the influences of Cape Cross and Galileo could result in an exceptional talent.

Moonlight Magic, a colt bred along similar lines to Sea The Stars, firmly put himself back in the Derby picture on Sunday with a convincing victory in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial having finished fifth to Harzand (a son of Sea The Stars rated a 25-1 shot for the Derby but with connections not guaranteed to run him there) in the Ballysax Stakes last month.

Darley homebred Moonlight Magic is by Cape Cross out of Melikah, a half-sister to Galileo and Sea The Stars who finished third in the Oaks and runner-up in the Irish Oaks in 2000. His half-brother Masterstroke finished third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and another thumbs-up for the Derby challenge in the pedigree is the fact Melikah is by 1995 winner Lammtarra.

Galileo is responsible for many of the other horses clustered at the top of the Derby betting, all of them closely related to Group 1 winners - impressive 1,000 Guineas heroine Minding, a daughter of Coronation Stakes winner Lillie Langtry; Midterm, a son of brilliant middle-distance filly Midday who will attempt to stamp his Classic claims in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York on Thursday; and last week's Chester Vase one-two US Army Ranger and Port Douglas, the first out of Irish Oaks winner Moonstone, the second a half-brother to German Derby winner Wiener Walzer.

There is also Idaho, a brother to Hong Kong Vase winner Highland Reel who has finished second in the Ballysax and third in the Derrinstown Derby Trial.

Galileo has three Derby winners to his name; with a strong hand again this year and plenty more brilliantly bred crops in the pipeline, he must be a short price to match and surpass Montjeu's record-equalling four winners.


2016 Derby betting
Best odds, horse, pedigree
11-4* Minding (Galileo-Lillie Langtry, Danehill Dancer)
Midterm (Galileo-Midday, Oasis Dream)
11-2 US Army Ranger (Galileo-Moonstone, Dalakhani)
14* Cloth Of Stars (Sea The Stars-Strawberry Fledge, Kingmambo)
14 Moonlight Magic (Cape Cross Melikah, Lammtarra)
20 Idaho (Galileo-Hveger, Danehill)
20 Port Douglas (Galileo-Walzerkoenigin, Kingmambo)
20 Foundation (Zoffany-Roystonea, Polish Precedent)
20 Massaat (Teofilo-Madany, Acclamation)
25 Harzand (Sea The Stars-Hazariya, Xaar)
25 The Gurkha (Galileo-Chintz, Danehill Dancer)
25 Shogun (Fastnet Rock-Perihelion, Galileo)

*Need to be supplemented


Galileo's son Teofilo features prominently in the Derby betting as sire of 2,000 Guineas runner-up Massaat. Enthusiasm for Massaat's chances at Epsom are tempered by the fact his dam Madany is a six-furlong winner by speed influence Acclamation and a half-sister to classy sprinters Dolled Up and Zeiting, although in mitigation the mating of Teofilo with Zeiting has resulted in 1m2f Listed winner Scottish.

As well as Harzand, Galileo's half-brother Sea The Stars has another possible Derby runner with good credentials in Cloth Of Stars, who turned the tables on old foe Robin Of Navan in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud on Sunday.

Cloth Of Stars, bred by Peter Anastasiou and sold as a yearling by Baroda and Colbinstown Studs to Godolphin for 400,000gns, is out of Strawberry Fledge, an unraced sister to Oaks winner Light Shift.

By my reckoning, out of the 12 horses quoted with a best price of 25-1 or shorter for the Derby, only one - Foundation - is not by Galileo or related to him in some way, meaning 11 have Urban Sea in their pedigree. What a mare.


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Leading Sires Tables Updated after weekend - Galileo Clear - Power 4th Excelebration 10th in 1st Season Sires Table



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Aidan O'Brien gives lowdown on Ballydoyle brigade

"If Minding went to the Oaks, Ballydoyle wouldn't go there. I suppose you would like to split them at this stage. She could go to the Curragh, but we've not had a runner in the French Oaks for a while. I thought she would maybe a mile to a 10-furlong filly.

ALICE SPRINGS

"She will go to France (for Sunday's 1,000 Guineas). If that went well, she would have the option of coming back to the Coronation Stakes."

SOMEHOW

"I thought Somehow struggled at Chester and usually if they struggle at Chester, they might find Epsom tough. Something like the Ribblesdale could be for her."

SEVENTH HEAVEN

"Talking to Ryan (Moore) he said that Seventh Heaven didn't handle the ground or the undulations. If she struggled there, she might struggle at Epsom. That is the pure fact of it."

WATERLOO BRIDGE

"We worried about the ground at Newmarket (when second in a sales race last month). Ryan wanted to follow a path but he got caught in no man's land. He never got into a rhythm and there is a good chance you can put a line through that last run. I am thinking and hoping he will improve for that run. Hopefully we will go to the Commonwealth Cup."

COUGAR MOUNTAIN

"I left off the headgear at Leopardstown, which I probably shouldn't have done as he just got caught out. He was only beaten a short distance by Solow last year. He is a good horse but just not very straightforward to get ready on the day. I imagine he could go for the Queen Anne (at Royal Ascot)."

KINGFISHER

"He had a bit of a setback and he probably won't make the Gold Cup. I'd say he would be back in the second half of the season."

HIGHLAND REEL

"We are looking at the Coronation Cup with him. It was a bit of mess the last day (in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin) as it didn't work out for him. He probably likes a mile and a quarter plus."

AIR VICE MARSHAL

"He does all his work with Air Force Blue and I would imagine that the Irish 2,000 Guineas is where we will go with him. He ran a very good race at Newmarket. You imagine he should progress from it. I think he is very much a miler. His best run was at Newmarket last year. He has physically done well."

JOHANNES VERMEER

"He won't make any of the Classics so he is off. He will be out in the second half of the year."

HIT IT A BOMB

"I am pushing Hit It A Bomb a little bit for Ascot as if he was to turn out, that is where I hope he would turn out."


Pictures from Ballydoyle Media Day

Aidan & US Army Ranger







US Army Ranger and Donnacha O'Brien lead the Ballydoyle battalions during first lot. - Picture by Emma Berry 



Yesterday's runners Idaho, Shogun and Beacon Rock being led out for a stretch at Ballydoyle. - Picture by Emma Berry 


War Front's boys Air Force Blue and Air Vice Marshal during exercise this morning at Ballydoyle.- Picture by Emma Berry


Found








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George being brought along slowly

  • Last Updated: May 9 2016, 14:31 BST

Aidan O'Brien is steadily bringing Order Of St George back to full fitness following a minor setback.

Order Of St George: Working back from the Royal meeting

Order Of St George: Working back from the Royal meeting

Order Of St George appears one of O'Brien's leading older horses this term and is pencilled in for a racecourse gallop and a possible competitive start before switching his attention to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

O'Brien said: "Order Of St George is on the way back and he will hopefully go to Navan for a racecourse gallop, then we will see after that.

"If that went well, he might go to the Saval Beg and if that went well, he might go to Royal Ascot.

"He has done very well but is carrying a little bit of weight. As he had a little setback, I don't want to risk injuring him.

"Obviously there is always a stamina concern but he looks like he got a mile and three-quarters very easily on soft ground at the Curragh (when winning the Irish St Leger). You are never sure until you go past that two miles.

Pencilled in to make his debut for Ballydoyle on the same Curragh card is exciting Australian import Vancouver, winner of the Golden Slipper.

"We are very excited about him, but we've not got a lot of time as we know he is going back to Australia after the July Cup," said the trainer.

"What we have pencilled in with him is the Greenlands. We are probably going to go there on a fact-finding mission, but he is very exciting at home.

"He is only going to be ready for a racecourse gallop, but he has got to have a race if he is going to be ready for Royal Ascot, where he will probably go for the Golden Jubilee."



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Air Force Blue pleasing O'Brien & The Gurka Plans

  • Last Updated: May 9 2016, 11:40 BST

Vanquished Qipco 2000 Guineas favourite Air Force Blue could be ready for take off in the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday May 21.

Air Force Blue: Could run at the Curragh

Air Force Blue: Could run at the Curragh

The brilliant juvenile was sent off the 4/5 favourite for the Newmarket Classic only to finish 12th under Ryan Moore as Galileo Gold stormed to Guineas glory for Hugo Palmer and Frankie Dettori.

In the aftermath of that defeat trainer Aidan O'Brien blamed himself and he reiterated that line of thinking after racing at Leopardstown on Sunday.

However, he's been happy with the War Front colt since the Guineas and the signs are he could bid to redeem his reputation in the Curragh Classic.

"I'm very happy," O'Brien told At The Races. "Very happy this week anyway. It'll be interesting next week. We've just changed our approach with him and we've done one half speed since.

"There's every chance I leaned too hard on him. I'm saying it the way I believe it because that's the way it is and if that is the reason we might see a different horse the next day.

"If things keep going on like they have this week and the Curragh is nice ground it'll be good to see him run there."

The Galileo colt only made his racecourse debut at Leopardstown on April 6, where he was beaten by stablemate Claudio Monteverdi, but he improved massively for that run when winning a maiden at Navan on April 17 by nine lengths.Meanwhile, The Gurkha is heading over to France for the Poule d'Essai des Poulains next weekend.

O'Brien said: "The plan is to go to France with him next weekend for the French Guineas and we were thinking of going back with the filly that was third at Newmarket, Alice Springs, for the fillies' Guineas.

"He was third in a good maiden here first time, then he went to Navan and won very easy. He's a Galileo obviously but he's plenty of pace. We'd imagine he'd definitely stay a mile-and-a-quarter but you're never sure.

"He travels very strongly so he obviously has plenty of pace."

If all goes well for The Gurkha next weekend he could step up in trip for another Classic for his next start, in either the Prix du Jockey Club over 10 furlongs or the Investec Derby.

"He could do a lot of things [after the French Guineas], he could go back to France for the French Derby or he could go to Epsom, but we'll see what happens in France [next weekend].

"If you're stepping up to a mile-and-a-quarter you think French Derby and a mile-and-a-half you go to Epsom."


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Tattersalls Gold Cup next for 'special' Found

Found (nearest)
Found (nearest) (Healy Racing Photos)

Aidan O'Brien feels top-class older filly Found is developing into "something very special".

Last year's Breeders' Cup Turf heroine suffered defeat on her seasonal reappearance in the Alleged Stakes, but bounced back to win the Mooresbridge and will return to the highest level in the Tattersalls Gold Cup on Sunday week.

O'Brien said: "You would have to be delighted with Found. The plan was to give her two runs before the Tattersalls Gold Cup. The first day she just did plenty in soft ground. She let go towards the end of the race. The next day we knew she had progressed and the thing was to let her relax again and she did."

The Ballydoyle handler went on: "We are seeing what she is starting to turn into now. She is starting to turn into something very special.

"After the Tattersalls Gold Cup, we have either the option of the Coronation Cup or the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

"After that she will have a break and be trained for the autumn with the Arc in mind. She will have a run or two before it - probably only one I'd say."

Pencilled in to make his debut for Ballydoyle on the same Curragh card is exciting Australian import Vancouver.

The Golden Slipper winner could make his Irish introduction in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes.

"We are very excited about him, but we've not got a lot of time as we know he is going back to Australia after the July Cup," said the trainer.

"What we have pencilled in with him is the Greenlands. We are probably going to go there on a fact-finding mission, but he is very exciting at home.

"He is a powerhouse of a horse when you see the size of him. When you look at what he did as a two-year-old in Australia, you would be surprised that he did it when you see him.

"It is probably going to take a little bit of time to adjust. He hasn't been away from home. It's going to be his first day away but if he is going to go to Ascot, we feel he needs to get competitive fairly quickly.

"He is only going to be ready for a racecourse gallop, but he has got to have a race if he is going to be ready for Royal Ascot, where he will probably go for the Diamond Jubilee."



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Minding all set for Oaks test

  • Last Updated: May 9 2016, 12:23 BST

Aidan O'Brien's Minding is set to be targeted at the Investec Oaks, possibly via the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas.

Minding: Set to stick against her own sex, for now

Minding: Set to stick against her own sex, for now

Some bookmakers have installed the brilliant 1000 Guineas winner as favourite for the Derby, but, while O'Brien is not ruling out taking on the colts at some stage, she appears increasingly likely to race amongst her own sex at Epsom in the Investec Oaks.

Connections are undecided as to whether she will firstly take in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 22.

"There has to be a question mark about stamina with her.O'Brien said: "You can't say for sure that Minding would get a mile and a half. It is not guaranteed by any means.

"I would imagine, thinking the way lads think, they would prefer to go gently and find out about that and go against the fillies first, then go on if she proves it.

"Nothing is written in stone, but I would think there is a possibility she might go to the Curragh (Irish 1,000 Guineas) then the Oaks, or not go to the Curragh and straight to the Oaks. I would say there is a definite eye on the Oaks.

"If she goes to the Oaks she will be the number one."


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US Army Ranger: beat stablemate Port Douglas by a short head at Chester

US Army Ranger: beat stablemate Port Douglas by a short head last week

 PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos

O'Brien: Don't dismiss US Army Ranger

AIDAN O'BRIEN has given his full backing to Investec Derby hope US Army Ranger following his narrow MBNA Chester Vase victory, insisting pundits are wrong to knock the son of Galileo.

US Army Ranger, a general 5-1 chance for the Epsom feature, beat stablemate Port Douglas by a short head in the Group 3 contest last week, with many racing professionals left unimpressed.

However, Ireland's champion Flat trainer was "very happy" with the performance, arguing US Army Ranger would have been a near eight-length winner if he had not run Port Douglas in the race.

O'Brien said: "Everyone is knocking this horse, but they shouldn't be. I was very happy with his win at Chester as most the time we have one horse that everyone latches on to but not this year.

"If we hadn't have ran Port Douglas at Chester, US Army Ranger would have been an eight-length winner and would be a very short price for the Derby."

Open to most improvement

O'Brien is convinced US Army Ranger is his Epsom Classic contender open to the most improvement and is hoping he will be able handle the hustle and bustle of Derby day.

O'Brien said: "At Chester he would have learned more in one race than he would in two or three races elsewhere. That is the benefit of taking horses over there.

"He's the horse that's open to the most improvement of my possible Derby contenders - I'm just hoping he's not too babyish and will be able to take it."


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Aidan O'Brien: set to run The Gurkha at Deauville next Sunday

Aidan O'Brien: set to run The Gurkha at Deauville next Sunday

 PICTURE: Getty Images

O'Brien still open minded on Derby team

AFTER a week of trials and Wednesday's Betfred Dante Stakes at York to come, US Army Ranger is Ballydoyle's shortest-priced Investec Derby candidate but Aidan O'Brien has not yet definitively identified his team.

The Gurkha, another possible Derby contender who is as short as 12-1 for the Epsom Classic, is an intended runner in next Sunday's Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Deauville as O'Brien seeks to finalise plans in the coming weeks.

O'Brien has won the Epsom feature five times since the turn of the millennium, most recently with Australia two years ago, and is hopeful his team will "come on a lot" for their recent outings.

'There are a lot of different combinations'

O'Brien said: "They've been trained for trials so they've all got as good an education as we can give them. They will come on a lot.

"There are a lot of different combinations who could go to Epsom. They all ran in their trials, they have an easy time and then their preparation and build-up will start. That will tell us what has come forward and what has stood still.

"Hopefully the picture will become clearer as we go along. There are a lot of horses there who are very legitimate and deserve to run."

'He was very babyish'

Last week's Group 3 MBNA Chester Vase scorer US Army Ranger is now a general 5-1 chance for the Derby with Ireland's champion Flat trainer believing the son of Galileo will have benefited significantly from the experience, indicating his work will give connections an idea as to his chances of landing the £751,407 prize at Epsom.

O'Brien said: "We knew we had to go to Chester if US Army Ranger was going to run in the Derby. Before the race he was very babyish, he was whinnying and the moment he pulled up he was still whinnying.

"What will tell a lot with him is when he comes back and starts working with an eye to the Epsom Derby. That will tell us how much he has learned and how much he has come on."


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Aidan O'Brien Derby Winner Trends - Fascinating that only one horse fits the trends



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Cant believe i missed this Galileo has now complete the UK Classic Set thanks to Minding




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The Gurkha will be supplemented to run in French 2,000 Guineas & Alice Springs likely to run in French 1,000 Guineas


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Coming Soon




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Cole Porter calls the tune in finale


Cole Porter and Ryan Moore beats Radar O'Reilly
Cole Porter and Ryan Moore beats Radar O'Reilly
(Healy Racing Photos)

Cole Porter made virtually all to justify his position as the odds-on favourite in the concluding Bulmers Live At Leopardstown Festival Maiden.

The well-backed 4/6 chance was driven out by Ryan Moore in the closing stages to beat Radar O’Reilly by half-a-length in this mile and a half event.

Raconteur completed the places a further two and a quarter lengths away in third.

On a busy afternoon for the stalls handlers, Prince Charmin’ (33/1) was withdrawn after failing to load.

Winning trainer Aidan O’Brien said, “Ryan said he stays well and we always thought he would like a bit of nice ground.”




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Joseph O'Brien remains sweet on Ranger

  • Last Updated: May 8 2016, 14:10 BST

Joseph O'Brien would have no hesitation in riding US Army Ranger in the Investec Derby.

US Army Ranger just wins the Chester Vase

US Army Ranger just wins the Chester Vase

The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt maintained his unbeaten record in the Chester Vase last week, but did not impress everyone with his performance in holding off stablemate Port Douglas.

There were even questions asked by the stewards about the ride of Seamie Heffernan on the runner-up but no action was taken.

O'Brien, who won the Derby on Camelot and Australia in 2012 and 2014 respectively, told At The Races: "I wouldn't mind riding him. I think he's very good and he's never disappointed us.

"He shouldn't be able to do what he's doing (at this stage of his career). He could be really good.

"The way he looks I think he could be even better at four. He's got a huge engine."

While there are question marks over the Ballydoyle colts there is no disputing who is the number one filly, 1000 Guineas winner Minding.

"Minding was brilliant at two and it looks like she's improved from two to three. She could be a brilliant filly," said O'Brien, who embarks upon a three-week training course on Monday, after which he should be granted his own training licence.



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Dominant Lundy shows his worth at Leopardstown

Updated: Sunday, 08 May 2016 14:37 | 


Donnacha O'Brien was victorious with Lundy at Leopardstown

Lundy went one better than on debut when running out an impressive winner of the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Auction Maiden at Leopardstown.

The Fastnet Rock colt, who holds an entry in the Group One Phoenix Stakes, had made a fine introduction at Dundalk last month when second to highly-regarded stablemate Caravaggio.

Sent off the 6-5 favourite he was always handy under Donnacha O'Brien and quickened up smartly a furlong and a half out, putting the race to bed.

Dermot Weld's Dapper Man and the Ger Lyons-trained Medicine Jack made pleasing debuts in second and third, but the Aidan O'Brien-trained winner scored by three lengths.

There was a huge gamble which went astray on Darren Bunyan's Hit The Bid, backed from 25-1 overnight into 4-1 but after showing up early he faded close home.

Joseph O'Brien, who effectively trains the winner, said from the family's Piltown base: "He's always worked well and showed plenty of pace. As he stepped up his work he got better. He ran well behind Caravaggio and finished out his race well.

"The Coventry, Windsor Castle and Norfolk Stakes are options and if you put a gun to my head now I would probably say the Coventry.

"Today was six furlongs and that is probably his trip as there is plenty of pace in him.

"He could go for the Marble Hill or a Listed race at Naas, we would look at in between as that is the natural progression as there are no other real races for him."


Displaying lundy.JPG


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Pronounced to make debut for Aidan O'Brien

THE opening race on Sunday's Leopardstown card, a 6f maiden, sees plenty of two-year-olds make their debuts including the Aidan O'Brien-trained Pronounced (1.55pm).

Bred by Whisperview Trading, the colt is out of the unraced Nashwan mare Le Montrachet, and is a half-brother to six winners including Daredevil Day, Baba Ganouge and Fly By White.

Born Gold has also produced the Group 1-winning mare Galikova as well as Group 3 hero Anodin who now stands at Haras du Quesnay in France.Le Montrachet is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Gold Splash and to Born Gold, who is perhaps best known as the dam of outstanding mare Goldikova.



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Dazzling new stud adds more diamonds to Coolmore crown

American Pharoah meets three mares a day and makes more than €500k before bedtime, writes Jerome Reilly

BREEDING MACHINE: Hopes are high that American Pharoah’s progeny will be just as successful2
BREEDING MACHINE: Hopes are high that American Pharoah’s progeny will be just as successful

John Magnier's horsebreeding empire has a new super fertile star who is earning the Tipperary powerhouse an astonishing €500,000 a day.


American Pharoah was a horse in a million on the racetrack but in retirement as a stallion he's surpassed all expectations, reaping more than $20m since February.

He's apparently "a natural" and has frolicked with more than 100 mares since he started his second act as a stud on February 15 at Coolmore's US outpost of Ashford Stud which bought his breeding rights last year.

American Pharoah's fee is $200,000 for every healthy foal and he can cover three mares a day. That's about twice the fee expected when American Pharoah was retired from racing.

That means he has earned $20m as a stallion - far surpassing the $8.7m achieved during his career on the track where he won nine of 11 races, including the mythical Triple Crown in the US, the first time it was achieved in 37 years.

American Pharoah's own genetic background is solid rather than spectacular and his name was misspelled as a foal and the incorrect spelling of pharaoh stuck.

Now he basks in considerable comfort in the 2,000-acre estate set in the heart of the Bluegrass country of Kentucky.

He was brought to Ashford Stud two days after winning the Breeders' Cup Classic in his final race at nearby Keeneland on November 1.

Hopes are high that his progeny can emulate his own stellar feats as a racehorse who captured the imagination of the American public as the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes since Affirmed in 1978, and just the 12th in history.

"He's still as sweet and cuddly as he's always been," owner Ahmed Zayat who sold the breeding rights to his champion to Coolmore said.

Breeding sessions are scheduled in the morning, afternoon and evening. "He's a pro in the breeding shed," stallion manager Richard Barry said. "Everything has gone smoothly."

"He's a champ, so nice. The girls love him," Zayat added. "He's as fertile as you can get at this point." The reach of Coolmore, headquartered in Fethard, is truly global.

And while American Pharoah is hitting the headlines, John Magnier's empire is also growing stronger in the southern hemisphere with a number of new stallions at his Australian outpost.

The 2016 fees for its 12 stallions in Australia have just been announced, with champion sire Fastnet Rock again listed with a private fee. "A private fee" means megabucks and is reserved for the best of the best.

"We've got three very exciting new horses for the coming season. Pride of Dubai is already here on the farm and looks a million dollars, while Vancouver is thrilling Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle. We're really looking forward to seeing him running - most likely at Royal Ascot - before he returns here for the breeding season," said John's son Tom Magnier, who oversees the Australian business.

Supremo John (68), a native of Fermoy, left school (Glenstal Abbey) at the age of 15 following the death of his father. He has fashioned Coolmore into a billion euro international business.

John began his association with Coolmore in partnership with his father-in-law and champion racehorse trainer, Vincent O'Brien, and Vernon's Pools magnate Robert Sangster.

He and his wife Susan have five children.

He also served a term as a senator in the Upper House and as well as horse breeding and racing, has expanded his business interests, which at one time included a profitable investment in Manchester United.



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SEVENTH HEAVEN wins The Lingfield Oaks Trial Replay below



SEVENTH HEAVEN Lands Lingfield Oaks Trial

Seventh Heaven (7/4 favourite) landed Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore another winner as she won the Betfred Mobile Oaks Trial Fillies' Stakes at Lingfield.


Winner of an all-weather maiden last time, the daughter of Galileo looked like she still had some learning to do as Moore nursed her around Lingfield's tight turns.

Moving into the straight, Moore became more vigorous in third as Architecture moved into the slipstream of the front-running Mountain Bell, the pair seemingly travelling best of all.

But no sooner than Architecture had taken over in front, Seventh Heaven began to find her stride and, despite still appearing ill at ease on the track, she knuckled down to win by a neck with the pair clear.

"This was a nice enough performance from Seventh Heaven but she didn't look an obvious Oaks winner in the making," said the firm's Michael Shinners.Sky Bet cut the winner to 25/1 from 50s for the Oaks, for which O'Brien has plenty of other potential candidates.

"It's asking a lot for her to improve enough to challenge Minding and we're happy to lay her for now."







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Credit The Giver banks more winnings


Credit The Giver pounces in Wexford
Credit The Giver pounces in Wexford
(Healy Racing Photos)

Credit The Giver mowed down front-running Palavicini Run to make it two out of two this season.

Aidan O'Brien's five-year-old gelding took the honours at Naas in April and showed his well-being with another victory in Wexford. This handicap race was a step up in trip for him to an extended mile and one.< Palavicini Run set out to make all and although off the bridle with a quarter of a mile to race was still boxing on for Colm O'Donoghue.<Credit The Giver was settled towards the rear early on by Donnacha O'Brien and was pushed along in mid-division at the two pole.

He then came down the outside and looked a major threat as the race developed outside the furlong marker.

Inside the final 50 yards he collared Palavicini Run and got up to win by three parts of a length and justify 2/1 favouritism.< Palavicini Run (10/1) took the runner-up prize with Rock On Rosie a further half a length back in third at 14/1.

Joseph O'Brien said: “The rain was probably a help to him. We weren't sure about stepping him up in trip and Donnacha took his time on him.

“Obviously he got the trip and he'll probably get a mile-and-a-quarter.

“He's gone up 10lb and just won so hopefully the handicapper is not too hard on him.

“He's improved since last season and we always thought that when he got a little ease in the ground there was a little bit more improvement.

“He might jump a hurdle in time.”

Prior to these two victories,Credit The Giver had raced nine times in his career without success.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson


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Galileo Half a Million Clear in Champion Sires Table





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Idaho out to bolster O’Brien Derby options in Derrinstown



Aidan O'Brien is likely to develop a clearer understanding of his Investec Derby pecking order at Leopardstown on Sunday.


The Ballydoyle handler saddles four runners in the Group Three Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, with Idaho the most prominent in the betting for the Classic at Epsom on June 4.

O'Brien said: "Idaho was second in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown last month.

"He ran quick and well from the back and got to the front, but he got tired in the last 50 yards and we think he has progressed since then."

Ballysax third Beacon Rock and Lieutenant General also represent Coolmore, while O'Brien expects Shogun - the mount of Ryan Moore - to come into his own over a longer trip after having finished third on his comeback in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

He said: "Shogun is a smart horse - he ran well in the Craven.

"He was unlucky not to be second. We think when he steps up to a mile and a quarter he's going to improve."


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Galileo Half a Million Clear in Champion Sires Table



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Housesofparliment a close up 3rd Cook Islands 5th in the Dee Stakes at Chester

Viren's Army and Silvestre De Sousa (second left) just get the better of Linguistic (left) to win the Betdaq Dee Stakes at Chester.



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Ballydoyle Runners Leopardstown Sunday

Derrinstown Bookings Ryan on Shogun. Heff on Idaho, Colm on Beacon Rock and Donnacha on Lieutenant General




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qualify

Qualify (red cap): one of three Group 1 winners in 2015 for Fastnet Rock

 PICTURE: Getty Images

Fastnet Rock looks set to stay on a roll this season

LAST season proved to be an exceptional one for Fastnet Rock and the signs are 2016 could be just as good for the Coolmore stallion, who was responsible for three northern hemisphere winners at the highest level in 2015.

On Wednesday, Somehow, a regally bred daughter of the 14-year-old stallion, claimed the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester, a few hours after Comaneci had topped the Inglis Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale when selling in foal to Fastnet Rock for A$780,000 (£403,248/€508,185).

In addition, Fastnet Rock's four-year-old daughter Zhukova recorded a Listed success in the Alleged Stakes at the Curragh last month and three-year-old filly Tres Rock Glory landed the Listed Coupe des Trois Ans at Lyon Parilly on Thursday.

Being responsible for an expensive lot is commonplace for the son of Danehill as his priciest offspring is the colt Emaratee, a A$4 million purchase by Emirates Park at the 2013 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

At last year's Tattersalls October Yearling Sale he was also responsible for a colt out of the Galileo mare Starfish and a filly out of the Tagula mare Lauren Louise who changed hands for 425,000gns and 320,000gns when purchased by Form Bloodstock and Hugo Lascelles Bloodstock respectively.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Qualify became the stallion's first Classic winner in Britain when landing last year's Oaks for owner Cristina Regalado-Gonzalez.

She was subsequently purchased by John Ferguson for 1,600,000gns at last year's Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

Her Group 1 victory was followed by that of another O'Brien-trained filly in Diamondsandrubies, who won the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes, and the hat-trick was completed by Fascinating Rock when the Dermot Weld-trained colt landed the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October.

That brought Fastnet Rock's total of individual winners at the highest level to 22, which increased to 23 in March with the victory of the two-year-old colt Heroic Valour in the Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie, New Zealand.

A champion sprinter in his native Australia after achieving victories at Group 1 level in the Lightning Stakes and Oakleigh Plate, Fastnet Rock has had the most success with his offspring in the country of his birth, although as he proved last year he is more than capable of producing winners of the highest calibre worldwide.

Fastnet Rock was crowned leading Australian sire for the second time last year, having first claimed the title in 2011-12.

Additionally, his son Hinchinbrook won the first-season sires' title by earnings while another son of the stallion, Rothesay, was responsible for the most two-year-old winners.

Star offspring foaled in the southern hemisphere include champion fillies Atlantic Jewel and Sea Siren, and multiple Group 1 winner Mosheen, as well as Group 1 William Reid Stakes hero Foxwedge, now a freshman stallion in both Britain and Australia.

Fastnet Rock originally shuttled to Coolmore's County Tipperary headquarters in 2010 when he covered a select book on a private basis.

He returned the following year when his fee was advertised at €30,000, but on the four further occasions he has stood in Ireland his fee has been listed as private.

In 2012 he covered a book of 183 mares with that figure increasing to 193 in 2013, 25 per cent of them black-type winners. In 2014 he covered 85 mares and after being given the 2015 northern hemisphere season off he has returned to Ireland this year.

Conceived during his shuttles to the northern hemisphere, Fastnet Rock has seven horses entered at Leopardstown on Sunday, two of them siblings to last year's Group 1-winning fillies.

Shogun, a three-year-old brother to Qualify, is engaged in the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial. Entered in the same race is Lieutenant General although he also has an entry in a handicap that day.

He could again be doubly represented in the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial as both How High The Moon, a three-year-old sister to Diamondsandrubies is entered along with Californiadreaming, a younger sister to Group 3-winning miler Cougar Mountain, who holds an entry in the Amethyst Stakes.

Before that, in the early hours of Saturday morning UK time, the three-year-old Australian filly Believe contests the Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville for Anthony Cummings, while a few hours later the David Wachman-trained Torcedor could bid for a first Listed success in the Buckhounds Stakes at Ascot.


TWO-YEAR-OLDS BY FASTNET ROCK

(With named trainers registered by Weatherbys)

Name

Sex, dam (damsire)

Trainer

Sale

Ambiguity

c. Descant (Nureyev)

Aidan O'Brien

Brimham Rocks

c. Colima (Authorized)

Ralph Beckett

Burrumbeet

c. Bright Bank (Sadler's Wells)

Ed Walker

Butterfly Kisses

f. Vatrouchka (Kingmambo)

Kevin Prendergast

£20,000 DBS Premier Yearlings

Cohuna

c. Crazy Volume (Machiavellian)

William Haggas

Dawn Choir

f. Heavenly Dawn (Pivotal)

Roger Varian

Disciple

c. Gift From Heaven (Excellent Art)

Ed Walker

€130,000 Goffs Orby

Enfolding

g. Althea Rose (Green Desert)

James Fanshawe

110,000gns Tatts October

Entangling

g. Question Times (Shamardal)

Chris Wall

€380,000 Goffs Orby

Euginio

c. Starstone (Diktat)

Richard Hannon

155,000gns Tatts October

Fastnet Spin

f. Lucky Spin (Pivotal)

David Evans

€35,000 Goffs Orby

Flowers Will Bloom

f. Natural Bloom (Galileo)

David O'Meara

Haraka

f. Luna Wells (Sadler's Wells)

Ralph Beckett

Interlope

f. Kiyra Wells (Sadler's Wells)

Jeremy Noseda

€200,000 Goffs Orby

Isstoora

f. Shegotloose (Dynaformer)

Marco Botti

It's How We Roll

c. Clodora (Linamix)

Charles Hills

Kyneton

c. Kahyasi Moll (Brief Truce)

John Gosden

Lundy

c. Princess Janie (Elusive Quality)

Aidan O'Brien

38,000gns Tatts October

Manangatang

c. Mona Lisa (Giant's Causeway)

Luca Cumani

Muirsheen Durkin

g. Be My Queen (Sadler's Wells)

Tom Dascombe

6,000gns Tatts October

Novel Concept

f. Tahara (Caerleon)

David Wachman

Princess Rock

f. Queen of Mean (Pivotal)

Hugo Palmer

120,000gns Tatts October

Queen's Light

f. Quesada (Peintre Celebre)

William Muir

€42,000 Arqana August Yearlings

River Roquette

f. On The Nile (Sadler's Wells)

Stan Moore

Rivet

c. Starship (Galileo)

William Haggas

Rockshine

f. Shine Like A Star (Fantastic Light)

Richard Hannon

Send Up

f. Briolette (Sadler's Wells)

Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Sheila's Rock

f. Crystal Curling (Peintre Celebre)

Denis Coakley

17,000gns Tatts December Yearling

Speed Freak

f. The Thrill Is Gone (Bahamian Bounty)

Ralph Beckett

Tropical Rock

f. Tropical Treat (Bahamian Bounty)

Ralph Beckett

£55,000 DBS Premier Yearlings

Tuff Rock

c. Wonder of Wonders (Kingmambo)

Ed Walker

Unnamed

f. Ardbrae Lady (Overbury)

David Elsworth

70,000gns Tatts October

Unnamed

c. Attasliyah (Marju)

Jedd O'Keeffe

€55,000 Goffs November Foal

Unnamed

f. Brazilian Samba (Sadler's Wells)

Martyn Meade

£48,000 DBS Premier Yearlings

Unnamed

f. Cochabamba (Hurricane Run)

James Tate

55,000gns Tatts October

Unnamed

f. Days of Summer (Bachelor Duke)

Ralph Beckett

Unnamed

f. Enticing (Pivotal)

William Haggas

Unnamed

f. Eva's Request (Soviet Star)

Charles Hills

Unnamed

f. Ho Hi The Moon (Be My Guest)

Charles Hills

Unnamed

c. Lady Lupus (High Chaparral)

Aidan O'Brien

Unnamed

f. Maryinsky (Sadler's Wells)

Ralph Beckett

Unnamed

f. Starfala (Galileo)

Hughie Morrison

Unnamed

f. Victoire Finale (Peintre Celebre)

Luca Cumani



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Cook Islands & Housesofparliament Pre Race





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US ARMY RANGER made to dig deep to win the Chester Vase beat  Port 

Douglas in a photo 1,2 for Ballydoyle Aidan's 7th Chester Vase - Race Replay & 

Aidan interview below



 


 



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Birthplace wins another for O'Briens

Birthplace and Ana O'Brien
Birthplace and Ana O'Brien
(Healy Racing Photos)





The O'Brien family enjoyed a nice success in the Supporters Club Evening May 19th Handicap at Clonmel as Birthplace (7/2 joint favourite) got the job done under Ana.

Following up a Limerick success from April 23rd, the chestnut son of Galileo found plenty when required to see off the outsider of the seven participants, Storm Ranger, by three parts of a length.

"The ground was a help to him and the three-year-olds also get a nice allowance at this time of year," said Joseph.

"I think he'll stay further and he handles that ground. If the handicapper isn't too hard on him hopefully he'll get another one."

(GC & EM)




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US Army Ranger scrapes home in Chester Vase

Report: Chester, Thursday

MBNA Chester Vase (Group 3) 1m4½f, 3yo colts and geldings

US ARMY RANGER was made to work mightily hard by Port Douglas, with Ryan Moore all out to hold off his stablemate who only went down in a photo-finish despite carrying a 4lb penalty against the ante-post Derby favourite.

Bookmakers reacted by making Sir Michael Stoute's Midterm, a son of Galileo and wondermare Midday, the new 7-2 favourite for the Investec-sponsored Classic - with US Army Ranger eased to as big as 6-1 with Paddy Power. The same firm cut 1,000 Guineas Minding to 2-1 with a run. Port Douglas was also cut and is as short as 12-1.

However, when push came to shove and Moore asked his mount to go and win his race, the response was not instant. Nor was it impressive.Aidan O'Brien spoke glowingly about the maiden winner, who has followed the same path as 2013 winner Ruler Of The World to Epsom, stating US Army Ranger regularly impressed with Group horses in his work at home and, as the field rounded the home turn, the 4-11 favourite looked to have the measure of stablemate Port Douglas.

Seamie Heffernan, riding Port Douglas, was unable to hold his position on the rail approaching the cutaway on the tight, turning track and Moore pounced, taking the inside route.

Heffernan used his whip twice as he rode out the finish, whereas Moore used his whip six times on the favourite. At the post there was a short-head between them.

Stewards' inquiry

Shortly after the race, the stewards called an inquiry into the running and riding of the runner-up, before taking no further action.

O'Brien said: "It wasn't a very strong pace early and Seamie ended up having to go on. His horses wasn't doing much in front so only when they got together did the race really start.

"He probably learned a lot. In an ideal world we'd have liked an end-to-end gallop. We're very happy with him [the winner]. Port Douglas is a good, solid Group 2 horse. We've another ten days to go with all the trials and we're very pleased."

Moore added: "He's still babyish. He travelled really nicely into all the places and I wanted to teach him. When he got to the front he had a bit of a look. When the other horse came back he was just going to do enough.

"It's only his second run and there's more improvement in him. I was probably a bit to kind to him and he switched off with me. He'll learn a lot from today. They're both decent horses."

Rest well beaten

The pair pulled seven lengths clear of Ormito, with High Grounds - third, beaten nine and a half lengths by Midterm at Sandown on his last start - a further 12 lengths back in fifth.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Ormito, said: "I am very pleased with him and he stays well. The track is probably not ideal and he does not quite have the class of the first two. It was encouraging and there are plenty of races over further later in the year, he could be the type for the Queen's Vase."

Karl Burke, whose Biodynamic was fourth, added: "I don't think they went a great gallop. I would like to have seen him ridden a bit handier off the slow pace, he got caught out a little four furlongs out. But at most that has only cost us third."









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Aidan O'Brien

Aidan O'Brien has won the Derby three times in the last four years

 PICTURE: Getty Images

The state of play on Ballydoyle's Derby team

US ARMY RANGER shot to head of Investec Derby market with an easy debut success at the Curragh last month and should he win today’s MBNA Chester Vase his 4-1 price could become even shorter. However, as Air Force Blue showed things don’t always go to plan - even for trainer Aidan O’Brien - so we assess the Ballydoyle master's other options as he seeks out a sixth Derby success.

Minding
Pencilled in for Irish 1,000 Guineas and Oaks but received quotes for the Derby after impressive 1,000 Guineas win.
Best odds: 5-2 ‘with a run’

The Gurkha
Blew away opposition at Navan last month on deep ground. Also entered in Dante and Irish 2,000 Guineas
16-1

Idaho
Runner-up in the Ballysax last month and holds entries in trials at Lingfield, Leopardstown and York
25-1

Johannes Vermeer
Racing Post Trophy runner-up who holds an entry in the Irish 2,000 Guineas
25-1

Deauville
Entered at Leopardstown, York and the Curragh but to needs to step forward to figure on Epsom team
33-1

Cook Islands
Ground will be more to his liking in tomorrow’s Dee Stakes than it was in the Ballysax in which he was a laboured fourth
40-1

Bravery
All-weather winner who could be given the chance to prove his worth on turf at Leopardstown, York or the Curragh
40-1

Port Douglas
Group 2 winner who was fourth in Racing Post Trophy and contests today’s Vase
66-1

San Francisco
Unraced brother to John F Kennedy and Tapestry who could make his debut in a maiden at Leopardstown on Sunday
66-1

Housesofparliament
Dundalk maiden winner who appears to be the second string in tomorrow’s Dee Stakes based on jockey bookings
100-1


 

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Minding wins the 1000 Guineas for trainer Aidan O'Bren ridden by Ryan Moore.

 




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TOP GUN - ICE MAN - BEST OF THE BEST - Take Your Pick = RYAN MOORE




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Moore Magic as Somehow Takes Cheshire Oaks

Somehow (Ryan Moore) beats Moorside in the Cheshire Oaks Chester 4.5.16 Pic: Edward Whitaker

Ryan Moore's mount took an age to find her stride and was niggled along with more than half a mile to travel with only one of her rivals behind her.

In a race run at a decent gallop, when Play Gal kicked on from the front before the home turn, the injection of pace took plenty of her rivals by surprise.

However, she was unable to sustain the gallop and was passed over a furlong out by Moorside and then by the winner and Diamonds Pour Moi, both of whom had taken time to reach top gear around the track's tight turns.

At the line, Somehow was safely on top and beat the rallying Moorside by half a length, but backers who took the 8/15 might have preferred a slightly more polished performance.

That said, O'Brien likes to take runners to Chester with a view to educating them, and Somehow can only have gained from the experience. She was cut by Sky Bet from 20/1 to 16/1 for the Investec Oaks.

Ryan Moore's mount took an age to find her stride and was niggled along with more than half a mile to travel with only one of her rivals behind her.

In a race run at a decent gallop, when Play Gal kicked on from the front before the home turn, the injection of pace took plenty of her rivals by surprise.

However, she was unable to sustain the gallop and was passed over a furlong out by Moorside and then by the winner and Diamonds Pour Moi, both of whom had taken time to reach top gear around the track's tight turns.

"Ryan was very happy with her. She's just sleepy. No matter what she works with, if it's a fast horse or a slow horse, she does the same thing and she will have learnt a lot," O'Brien told Racing UK.

"She's got a beautiful pedigree and I think she's in the Oaks shortlist. We knew she was one that had the most to learn and we didn't have long to teach her, so we thought this was the place to try and teach her.

"She's very lazy and docile at home. I was a bit worried after about half a furlong, but Ryan gave her a masterful ride, taught her plenty. We bring the green ones here to try and sharpen them up mentally - it just wakes them up."

O'Brien also has Minding in the equation for the Investec Oaks, after her 1000 Guineas victory last Sunday, and the trainer said it was still early days as to whether she runs next at Epsom, in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh, or even both.

"All of those races are open to her," he said. "She only cantered today and I'd say the next 10 days will tell us a lot. There are two weeks between the races and we have run horses in both races before, but we don't have to do that. We have good horses to fall back on if we don't."





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Coolmore & China Horse Club buy dam of G1 winner Japonisme


The once-raced Haiku, dam of Group 1 winner Japonisme fetched A$580,000 (£299,851/€377,881) when purchased by Tom Magnier on behalf of Coolmore and the China Horse Club.

Dam of two winners to date, the daughter of Encosta De Lago was offered in foal to Dissident. A half-sister to New Zealand Oaks heroine Tapildo, Haiku's next mating is due to be with last year's Golden Slipper winner Vancouver after he is retired to Coolmore Australia following a European campaign for Aidan O'Brien.

Coolmore's Michael Kirwan said: 'Vancouver has got awesome ability and we're obviously excited about the prospect of him running at Royal Ascot this year."

He added: "This mare has bred a world-class sprinter in Japonisme already and I understand that he might be bound for Royal Ascot in 2017. She's a beautiful mare, by a fantastic broodmare sire and she will suit Vancouver perfectly."

Haiku was offered by Blandford-based Rothwell Park Thoroughbreds who sold three of the top five-priced lots on Wednesday including Listed scorer Forever Discreet.

The daughter of Bernardini was purchased by Spendthrift Australia in foal to Deep Field for A$520,000(£268,832/€338,790). Out of Group 3 winner She's Discreet, Forever Discreet is a half-sister to the Listed winners I'm Discreet and Very Discreet from the family of Grade 1 heroine Maybe Discreet.



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Air Force Blue

Air Force Blue: failed to produce any sort of run in the 2,000 Guineas

 PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos

July Cup option for Air 
Force Blue 

AIR FORCE BLUE and Lumiere could be given the chance to redeem their reputations over sprint distances in the Group 1 Darley July Cup after both flopped in their Classic tests last weekend.

Air Force Blue and Lumiere lined up at Newmarket in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas respectively with sky-high reputations, but both failed to produce any sort of performance and both finished well beaten.

While there is plenty of racing to happen between now and the July festival at Newmarket, trainers Aidan O'Brien and Mark Johnston have given themselves the option to drop back from 1m to 6f with the three-year-olds.

In the past, O'Brien has succeeded when dropping his three-year-olds back in trip after running over further with Stravinsky (1999) and Mozart (2001) winning the July Cup having raced over further before the Group 1 sprint.


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Sires Tables Update - Galileo Clear in Europe/GB&IRE Zoffany Leading 2nd season Sire Power 4th 1st season Sire 




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Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News update 3rd May 2016




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Ranger to run in Vase

  • Last Updated: May 3 2016, 11:28 BST

US Army Ranger has a stern examination of his credentials as an Investec Derby contender when he lines up for the MBNA Chester Vase on the Roodee on Thursday.

Aidan O'Brien: Trains US Army Ranger
Aidan O'Brien: Trains US Army Ranger

The Galileo colt is among six horses for the Group Three over an extended mile and a half, which his trainer Aidan O'Brien has won six times since 2007.

O'Brien wants to put US Army Ranger through the rigours of the sights and sounds of a busy Chester meeting as a crucial part of his education ahead of a tilt at the Epsom Classic in a month's time.

The Ballydoyle handler feels it is necessary for US Army Ranger to have such a tough test of his temperament, as well as his ability, as he only made his racecourse debut a month ago in a 10-furlong maiden at the Curragh which he won cosily by three-quarters of a length.

Despite his inexperience, US Army Ranger is only a 4-1 shot for Derby honours.

O'Brien is following the same pattern as he did with Ruler Of The World, who won the same Curragh race on his debut, then the Chester Vase before galloping to glory at Epsom in 2013.

US Army Ranger will be accompanied by his stablemate Port Douglas, a fellow son of Galileo.

He had smart form as a juvenile, winning the Group Two Beresford Stakes at the Curragh and winding up the campaign with a fourth to Marcel in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

High Grounds, trained by Charlie Hills, and William Haggas' Dwight D meet again after finishing third and fifth respectively behind Midterm in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown two weeks ago.

Karl Burke's Biodynamic and the Andrew Balding-trained Ormito complete the field. The latter is the only one of the sextet not to hold a Derby entry.


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O'Brien dominates Derrinstown Entries

Idaho winning at the Curragh last year

Aidan O'Brien is responsible for nine of the 13 entries for Sunday's Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown, a race he has won with such stars as Fame And Glory, Yeats, Dylan Thomas, High Chaparral and 2001 winner Galileo who himself sired seven of the potential line up.

Idaho is O'Brien's most likely runner at this stage and the trainer said: “We’re looking forward to running this weekend - Idaho was second in the Ballysax Stakes — he ran quick and well from the back and got to the front, but he got tired in the last 50 yards and we think he has progressed since then.”

Of his other entries O'Brien stated: “Shogun is a smart horse - he ran well in the Craven — He was unlucky not to be second — we think when he steps up to a mile and a quarter — he’s going to improve. Deauville is in good form—— so wherever he gets good ground he will go.”

The sole English entry is the recent Newmarket scorer Ventura Storm trained by Richard Hannon.

Dermot Weld has entered last October's Leopardstown Maiden scorer Tirmizi while Jim Bolger is responsible for a pair of entries, Moonlight Magic and Saafarr, both owned by Godolphin.



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O'Brien steps Somehow up in class and trip

Tue 3rd May 2016, 15:06
Somehow winning at Leopardstown
Somehow winning at Leopardstown
(Healy Racing Photos)
Somehow bids to book her ticket for the Investec Oaks when she faces seven rivals in the Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks at Chester on Wednesday.

The daughter of 2006 Oaks heroine Alexandrova is around a 20-1 shot for the Epsom Classic in a market dominated by her Aidan O'Brien-trained stablemate Minding, the 1000 Guineas winner.

Somehow was placed on her only start as a two-year-old, but made no mistake getting off the mark on her seasonal debut at Leopardstown where she landed a 10-furlong maiden in good style.

"She's in good form and came out of Leopardstown well. We think she'll learn a lot," said O'Brien.

"We liked her going to Leopardstown and obviously she's out of Alexandrova.

"The trip shouldn't be a problem to her so we'll see how she gets on."

Charlie Hills is testing the water with Moorside and Doubly Motivated.

"Moorside is a filly we've always liked, and the form of her debut run was franked by So Mi Dar winning the Epsom Derby Trial," the Lambourn trainer told www.charleshills.com.

"She probably didn't really enjoy the all-weather on her second start and we're looking forward to seeing how she goes.

"Doubly Motivated was too keen Ascot last week and we're hoping the turning track will help her settle. She has plenty of ability and shouldn't be written off."

James Tate was delighted with the performance of Mirsaalah in edging out the odds-on favourite Black Princess over 10 furlongs in a handicap at Nottingham last week with the third horse Norse Magic 13 lengths away.

The Newmarket trainer feels she deserves the chance to prove herself in Listed company.

"She made a cracking seasonal debut beating the Godolphin filly in a Nottingham handicap last week," said Tate.

"She came out of the race really well. She's bouncing. It's a good opportunity to try to get some black type.

"I think the trip will suit. It's just about how good she is. She's got fewer questions to answer than some of the others, having run well last week."


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The Best Piece of Digital Art I Have ever done - MINDING 1000 Guineas Piece - 

Love how this turned out




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It's all about GIRL POWER




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Coolmore Owned English Classic WinnersMrs John Magnier the most successful wining owner in English Classics History


Ballydoyle 101 English & Irish Classic Victories





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MINDING - Queen of Ballydoyle - Has Aidan trained a better Filly?




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Some Achievement that





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Aidan O'Brien - US Army Ranger will learn plenty at Chester

Aidan O'Brien expects US Army Ranger to learn some valuable lessons when he tackles Thursday's MBNA Chester Vase on the Roodee.

The Galileo colt is certainly bred to win a Classic as a son of Irish Oaks victor Moonstone and he made quite a splash in the Investec Derby market when winning on his debut at the Curragh last month.

US Army Ranger is due to tackle the Chester feature as part of his preparation and O'Brien believes it will be a steep learning curve for his charge.

He said: "He won a slow-motion race here (at the Curragh) about a month ago, but it's not going to be slow motion at Chester.

"He will be very green and will learn a lot from the experience.

"The timing fits in nicely between his first run and Epsom."

US Army Ranger is also entered in Saturday's Betfred Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield along with Beacon Rock, Cook Islands, Idaho, Kellstorm, Landofhopeandglory and Shogun.

However, O'Brien is planning to send Cook Islands and Idaho elsewhere.

Outlining running plans, said: "Cook Islands is likely to go for the race on Friday (Betdaq Dee Stakes at Chester) and I'll try to find something for Lingfield.

"I've a few in at Leopardstown (Derrinstown Derby Trial) but Idaho is the most likely to run there."

The master of Ballydoyle is also eyeing further Classic glory with the French Guineas on May 15 under the microscope.

He added: "The Gurkha could be going to France (for the 2000 Guineas) and Alice Springs might go for the fillies' race."



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Found back to her best in the Mooresbridge


 By Donal Murphy

Found bounced back to her best as she ran out a comfortable winner of the Group 3 Camelot EBF Mooresbridge Stakes.

Having beat the brilliant Golden Horn in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland last October, the daughter of Galileo was a disappointing third on her return to action in the Alleged Stakes last month.

Sent off an 11/8 chance today she raced in rear under Ryan Moore.

She cruised into third from two furlongs out and was soon tight for room on inner.

A gap developed from the furlong pole and she quickly went through it, hitting the front inside the final furlong before going on to score by a length and a quarter.

Success Days (6/1), who finished a place ahead ofFound over the course and distance last month, had to settle for second underShane Foley for Ken Condon after he attempted to make all.

Fascinating Rock was sent off the 11/10 favourite and he was a further two and a half lengths back in third under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.

Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "I didn't think she had come forward as much but she obviously did.

"She's still not there and hopefully something to look forward to. The Tattersalls Gold Cup remains the plan.

"Ryan was going to relax her today as she was a little bit keen the last day.

"The plan was the last day, this race and then the Tattersalls. Then we might look at the Coronation but that's not definite. She'd get a break and then have one or two runs before the Arc."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson



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Pictures from Newmarket this weekend from our friend Lewis 
1 Aidan & Jim Bolger


2 AIR VICE MARSHAL, fourth in the 2000 Guineas 


3 Ballydoyle & Leigh



4 Mindng






5 Alice Springs 



6 1000 Guineas Finish 


7 Minding coming home in the Guineas 


8 Even Song


         


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Ryan Moore riding Minding (C, purple) win

Minding earned an RPR of 121 in the 1,000 Guineas

 PICTURE: Getty Images

Minding win sets Derby poser for O'Brien

THE Derby is the race Aidan O'Brien covets above all others. His training facilities and race plans are geared around winning the race and he has broken records in pursuit of the Epsom dream. But his passion is about to be put to the test by Minding.

After running away with the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, Minding now finds herself at the top of the betting for the Derby (with a run). The 'with a run' part is crucial because she may not run even if she appears to be O'Brien's best chance of winning the race.

The problem facing O'Brien is fundamental to the way his yard works. Yes, he always wants to win the Derby, but he is also in charge of the racing arm of the biggest stallion production line in Europe. So will the filly be sent elsewhere in favour of a colt?

O'Brien's leading colt in the betting is impressive maiden winner US Army Ranger, who runs in the Chester Vase on Thursday. Even if he wins by a wide-margin he is unlikely to surpass Minding on the ratings, but how well does he have to run to get Minding to change course?

The distance excuse?

The real problem is that O'Brien and the 'lads' (the Coolmore partners) want to win the Derby no matter what. But they would prefer to win it with a colt if they have one good enough. Beating one of their colts with their own filly would be like shooting themselves in the foot.

We will know more about the shape of O'Brien's Epsom challenge after the Derby trials in the coming weeks, but one thing we learnt on the weekend is that Minding would be more than a match for the best three-year-olds of either sex in Europe at present.

She posted an RPR of 121 for her rampant three-and-a-half length success over stablemate Ballydoyle (115) - and once you factor in a 5lb fillies' allowance you'd be looking for a 126+ colt to beat her.

She's not certain to stay the Derby trip. Her sire Galileo won the Derby, but her dam was a miler, so a cynic might suggest they could use the distance as an excuse to miss the Derby and let the colts off the hook.


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Fascinating Rock

Fascinating Rock (noseband) got the better of Found at Ascot

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Found and Fascinating Rock in Curragh battle

TRAINER Aidan O'Brien saddled the first three home in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday, and he turns to another star filly on Monday afternoon in the shape of Found, who runs againstFascinating Rock in a mouth-watering renewal of the Group 3 Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh.

Both horses ran on this card 12 months ago. Fascinating Rock won this race in decisive fashion, fending off Parish Hall inside the final furlong to score comfortably. It was just the beginning of what proved to be a superb season for the son of Fastnet Rock.Fascinating Rock and Found fought out the finish of the Champion Stakes at Ascot last October, with the former coming out on top, and they step back inside the ropes today to trade blows in what is the highest-quality contest of the Irish Flat season so far.

Found, in contrast, was only second to 25-1 chance Iveagh Gardens in the Athasi Stakes but, just like Fascinating Rock, it was the start of a stunning season. She arrives back here 12 months on as the Breeders’ Cup Turf champion but, most importantly, the cobwebs have been blown away by a satisfactory comeback in the Alleged Stakes last month.

Improvement likely

Found will have improved for her comeback run according to O’Brien, but the plan is to be cherry ripe for the Tattersalls Gold Cup at this course later this month.

O’Brien said: “We think she has come on since her first run of the season. We’re happy with her and we think she’ll improve again from this race.

“The plan is to go back to the Curragh for the Tattersalls Gold Cup if all goes well in this.”

First time back

The score is one-nil to Fascinating Rock but Dermot Weld feels that Found could equalise today as she has the advantage of a run under her belt.

“Fascinating Rock is in great form and I’m thrilled with him,” said Weld. “Found does have the advantage of a run, which is a big plus for her, and Fascinating Rock usually takes a run to come to himself. I’m very happy with how he is coming along though.”

Weld is also represented by the ex-Sir Mark Prescott-trained The Steward, who will have his first run for the trainer, while the six-runner field is completed by Altesse, Hot Sauce and Success Days.

Fascinating Rock heads the market at 11-10, while Found is a best price of 13-8. It is 9-1 bar the pair.

The ground at the Curragh is soft on the straight course and yielding on the round course following 8mm of overnight rain.


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Aidan O'Brien ponders Irish 2,000 Guineas run for vanquished Air Force Blue


Aidan O'Brien is considering giving Air Force Blue another chance to prove himself over a mile in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 21.

The triple Group One winner failed to make any impact on his first try over the trip on his seasonal return in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

Despite being sent off the 4-5 favourite to capture the colts' Classic, the son of War Front was in trouble a long way out and eventually came home a well-held 12th.

O'Brien said: "It was his first run of the year and in his second last piece of work he was very fast, so we were worried about if he would get the trip. Maybe I trained him too hard.

"I will probably change his work regime a little bit as I know what doesn't work with him and I need to find what does work for him.

"We will have an eye on the Irish 2,000 Guineas and will have a look at that and see what the ground is like before deciding if he runs in that or not."

O'Brien admits he is uncertain about whether a mile is the best trip for Air Force Blue, raising the possibility of dropping back in distance.

He told At The Races: "He is a very quick horse.

"The thing is we're not probably going to be sure about whether he will get a mile or drop back to shorter distances, the next couple of weeks will tell us a lot about him.

"Hopefully it (a disappointing run) won't happen again and the next decision we have to make is on where his next race will be."


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Sires Table Updated - Galileo Takes a commanding Lead - Power 5th in 1st 

season sires table




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Ryan Moore riding Minding (C, purple) win

Minding: 1,000 Guineas heroine a first winner in the race for Galileo

 PICTURE: Getty Images

Minding completes Classic set for Galileo

MINDING'S taking victory in the 1,000 Guineas filled the one domestic Classic missing from the record of her sire Galileo, the dominant stallion of the last ten years.

Prior to Sunday, the seven-time champion Flat sire had yet to provide the winner of the fillies' Classic at Newmarket despite supplying three Irish 1,000 Guineas winners in Nightime, Misty For Me and Marvellous.

However, having come close to providing the 1,000 Guineas winner in 2009 and 2011 when responsible for runners-up Cuis Ghaire and Together, Minding put the record straight for the Coolmore stallion in no uncertain terms leading home a 1-2-3 on the Rowley Mile with stablemates Ballydoyle and Alice Springs filling the minor placings.Additionally the triple Group 1 winner had sired 2,000 Guineas scorers Frankel and Gleneagles as well as Epsom Derby heroes New Approach, Ruler Of The World and Australia and one winner apiece of the Oaks and St Leger in Was and Sixties Icon respectively.

Crowned last year's champion European two-year-old filly after victories at the highest level in the Fillies' Mile and Moyglare Stud Stakes, Minding is the second foal bred by Orpendale, Chelston and Wynatt out of the top class filly Lillie Langtry, winner of the 2010 Coronation Stakes and Matron Stakes for the same connections.

By Danehill Dancer, Lillie Langtry is a half-sister to Listed winner Count Of Limonade, a son of Duke Of Marmalade, and Lady Hawkfield, the once-raced dam of last year's Group 3 Sandown Classic Trial scorer Master Apprentice from the family of dual French Group 2 scorer Lead On Time and champion European sprinter Great Commotion.

Since retiring to the paddocks at the end of her three-year-old campaign Lillie Langtry has been covered by Galileo every season resulting in four fillies to date and last year she was again covered by the champion sire.

Her first foal in 2012, Kissed By Angels won last year's Group 3 Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial before being exported to Japan. The other siblings to the Classic heroine are How, a filly foaled in 2014 who made her debut last Monday in a Naas maiden won by stablemate Roly Poly, and a yearling filly.



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AOBFS ANNOUNCEMENT  - You will notice several pages have been removed from AOBFS. We have not heard from our stat man Andy O'Brien for almost 2 months I have tried everything to contact him but he has just disappeared. Unfortunately Andy's stats pages are now well out of date and I see Little Point in keeping them when they are out dated Its such a shame because they were hugely popular but I see no other way forward. Most of the Records are on the FACTFILE PAGE which I will Keep updated myself as I have done so in the past as I say its a real shame and the guy is irreplaceable I would not know where to start to replicate what he did. I will Let you know if he gets in touch we just hope he is ok that is the important thing.




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Curragh debut for Motherland son of champion mare Pipalong

MONDAY'S 1m maiden at the Curragh sees the debuts of some well bred horses for powerful connections at 5.20pm.

Aidan O'Brien is doubly represented with Galileo colt Motherlan dmaking his first racecourse start for the champion trainer.

Pipalong's 12th foal, Motherland is a half-brother to 2009 Group 3 Anglesey Stakes winner and Phoenix Stakes-placed Walk On Bye, a daughter of Danehill Dancer from the family of French Group 2 winner Gris De Gris.The three-year-old colt was bred by Tower Bloodstock out of champion racemare Pipalong, a daughter of Pips Pride who landed five black-type victories for Tim Easterby including the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Representing Qatar Racing is the four-year-old Galileo gelding Deep Challenger who was top lot at the 2012 Tattersalls December Foals Sale when purchased by David Redvers for 500,000gns.

Bred by the Healing Music Partnership out of the French 7f winner and Listed runner-up Healing Music, a Bering half-sister to US Grade 2 victress Herboriste and Listed scorer Fast And Furious.

The Ger Lyons-trained contender is a brother to winning miler At First Sight, who was runner-up in the 2010 Epsom Derby, and half-brother to dual purpose winner Kudu Huraa, a son of Montjeu.

Another interesting debutante is Moyglare Stud's homebred filly Rose De Pierre, a daughter of Dubawi from an illustrious Moyglare family that trainer Dermot Weld has had plenty of success with in the past.

The three-year-old is the first foal out of Profound Beauty, a daughter of Danehill who the Rosewell handler trained to three Group 3 successes and a runner-up finish in the Irish St Leger.

Additionally, Rose De Pierre shares her page with the trainer's 2002 Ribblesdale Stakes heroine Irresistible Jewel, dam of Irish St Leger winner Royal Diamond, Weld's 2012 Ribblesdale winner Princess Highway and Group 3 winner Mad About You who was a narrow runner-up in the 2008 Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Daughter of Cheveley Park heroine in action at Windsor

Sir Michael Stoute sends Aflame, a three-year-old daughter ofShamardal, to Windsor for her first racecourse start in the 1m67y maiden stakes at 2.50pm.

The Lady Rothschild-owned filly was bred by Kincorth Investments out of 2004 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Magical Romance, a Barathea half-sister to dual Oaks heroine and champion three-year-old filly in 2006 Alexandrova, dam of last year's Group 2 Prix Kergorlay winner Alex My Boy.

The seventh foal out of Magical Romance, Aflame is a half-sister to five winners including dual Australian Listed scorer Tall Ship, a son of Sea The Stars and hails from the further family of 2012 Irish Oaks winner Chicquita.


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Sword Fighter carves them up

 By Michael Graham

Sword Fighter sheds his maiden tag in Sligo
Sword Fighter sheds his maiden tag in Sligo
(Healy Racing Photos)

After saddling the first three home in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, Aidan O'Brienbrought up an across-the-card double courtesy of Sword Fighter in Sligo's finale.

The Galileo colt made virtually all under Donnacha O'Brien in this extended mile and a quarter maiden.

The 4/5 favourite was pushed along with less than three furlongs to go and held a healthy three length lead over the driven-along Nudge approaching the straight.

The latter could make no impression as Sword Fighter was ridden to go and win his race at the furlong pole. He was kept up to his work to come in clear by 14 lengths.<Nudge (6/4) came home second under Leigh Roche.

Donnacha O'Brien said: "He stays well and handled the ground well. I'm not sure what he beat but he could make a decent stayer."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee



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Trainers With 20 or more English Classic Wins Aidan moves onto 24


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O'Brien saddles 1-2-3 in 1000 Guineas


Minding, left, dominates in Newmarket
Minding, left, dominates in Newmarket
(Healy Racing Photos)

Minding led home a remarkable one-two-three for Aidan O'Brien in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The 11-10 favourite, ridden by Ryan Moore, travelled beautifully throughout as Lumiere set the pace before putting the race to bed with a scintillating turn of foot.

Ballydoyle came from the rear of the field to claim second place, three and a half lengths away, while Alice Springs hung on grimly for third.

Moore said: "She's out on her own, really. It wouldn't have been the plan (to race so prominently), we didn't go that quick early on but she hit the gates very well and I didn't want to be taking her back.

"I was expecting a bit more speed in the race. She's just faster than them and stays better than them. She's faster than them all.

"She certainly hasn't gone backwards."

O'Brien said: "We were delighted with them all. They are three top-class fillies. It's a big team effort so it's great for everybody. It was marvellous.

"We thought she was a very nice filly, but a lot of hard work goes in by a lot of people.

"We've always thought she'd stay but obviously we'll talk about the Oaks, as you would. She's something to look forward to."

Minding was cut to 4-5 favourite from 3-1 for the Investec Oaks with Paddy Power.

Moore went on: "We were going very comfortably and had them all in trouble at halfway.

"It (mile and a half) is another question, but she looks like she'll go further."

Of O'Brien recording his 250th Group One success, Moore added: "His record is unbelievable and there's no one better to get a horse ready for a top race."

Expanding on the success, O'Brien said: "She's always been very high class and she's a pure home-bred. We've known the family well for a long time, which is great, it's a massive help.

"She's exciting, really. Ryan rode her handy and he was happy to do that, she looked relaxed, she wasn't tense and he was very confident she was going to stay and everyone at home thought she was very fit.

"We know she handles more cut in the ground than that, which is great, she's not ground dependent and I hadn't realised she won three and a half lengths - she really galloped home. She doesn't stop, she keeps going.

"All those things are open to her. She'd have the option of going back to an Irish Guineas and then an Oaks after that, but everyone will talk about it.

"It (Oaks) is very possible, but I don't want to say it until we get home. We've always thought she'd stay."

O'Brien described Moore as the "ultimate professional."

He said: "He's a special fellow, a total professional. He's the ultimate professional, in every way, in everything he does. He doesn't leave any stone unturned.

"We're so privileged that he is part of our team."



Minding Leads Home Ballydoyle 1,2,3 

Minding beat stablemates Ballydoyle and Alice Springs in a spectacular 1-2-3 for Aidan O'Brien in the Qipco 1000 Guineas.

Sky Bet
Ryan Moore and Minding come home clear of their rivals, headed by Ballydoyle (right).

Ryan Moore and Minding come home clear of their rivals, headed by Ballydoyle (right).

While the market confidence may have been lacking in Air Force Blue in the final minutes before the off of the 2000 Guineas 24 hours earlier, it was not in Minding and she drew gasps of admiration when she entered the parade ring.

Those who got involved rarely had a moment's doubt in the race, as she travelled strongly and dispatched her 15 rivals without Ryan Moore even having to reach for top gear.

Ballydoyle (15/2), who was held up well in rear in the early stages, didn't enjoy the clearest of passages through the pack and might have got a little closer to the winner, but in truth this was a one-horse race.

Alice Springs (16/1) finished third, just ahead of Mark Johnston's Fireglow, whose stablemate Lumiere totally failed to fire and was eased off to finish last by William Buick.

"Obviously they are three very top-class fillies and I'm delighted with the result - we thought that they were three very good fillies and it's a marvellous result," O'Brien said.

"We always thought this was a very good filly, but a lot of people who have put a lot of hard work into her - she's something to really look forward to.

"I hadn't realised she'd won by three and a half lengths, but she obviously kept going. She doesn't stop. She keeps going. She's by Galileo and everything we've ever seen of a Galileo, they don't stop.

"Everyone will talk about what we do next. The lads will sit down and see what they want to do. We've always thought she would stay and it's very possible that she will go for the Oaks, but there is the option of going back to Ireland for the Irish Guineas on the way."

Minding is now the odds-on favourite for the Investec Oaks, but taking on the colts in the Derby 24 hours later could even now come under consideration.

Moore said: "She's out on her own, really. It wouldn't have been the plan [to race so prominently], we didn't go that quick early on but she hit the gates very well and I didn't want to be taking her back.

"I was expecting a bit more speed in the race. She's just faster than them and stays better than them. She's faster than them all.

"We were going very comfortably and had them all in trouble at halfway. [A mile and a half] is another question, but she looks like she'll go further."

O'Brien played down his achievements, both in terms of saddling the 1-2-3 and in sending out his 250th Group One winner.

"It's a team effort, we have a lot of great people at home and it's great for all of us," he said.

"Seamus gave Ballydoyle a lovely ride for second. She was a bit slowly away, but stayed on well. There could be the Irish 1000 Guineas for her. Alice Springs was a filly who we thought had come on for her first run and she'll come on for this as well, so we could look at the French Guineas for her."






 




1000 Guineas Pre Race 

Final Instructions for Colm Ryan & Heff


Minding 




Alice Springs


Ballydoyle




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Final Instructions


       





 

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