Jack Yeats is the latest winner for Galileo, stretching clear in the closing stages for Aidan O'Brien and @donnacha_obrien at @NaasRacecourse
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Powerful Jack Yeats breaks his maiden tag At Naas
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Jack Yeats made the breakthrough on his second start, as he recorded a straightforward success in the concluding Family Fun Day On May 11th Maiden.
Just denied on his debut at Leopardstown earlier this month, the Aidan O'Brien trained son of Galileo was expected to go one place better this evening, and went off the clear 9/10 favourite.
Settled in a close second by Donnacha O'Brien, the bay colt was pushed along to lead under two furlongs from home, and was ridden out inside the final furlong, seeing off the effort of Hazran by two and a half lengths.
The runner-up was returned at 7/2 under Ronan Whelan for Mick Halford, while the front-running Mackqeez (8/1) was another two and a half lengths back in third.
"He had a good run the last day," said Donnacha O'Brien.
"I got it fairly handy up front, myself and Billy (Billy Lee on Mackqeez), and I quickened up well and stuck at it well."
The winner is out of three time Group 3 winner Fire Lily.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
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Aidan cuts 2000 Guineas team down to 4 - Magna Grecia & Ten Sovereigns remain on course.
Mon 29 Apr 2019
Ante-post favourite Magna Grecia & unbeaten Middle Park winner Ten Sovereigns are among the 24 colts confirmed for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday
Magna Grecia won two of his three starts as a juvenile – rounding off his campaign with a Group One triumph in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.
He is the general 3-1 favourite to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with a record 10th victory in the Rowley Mile Classic – and a third in succession following the recent triumphs of Churchill and Saxon Warrior respectively.
The Ballydoyle maestro could also saddle The Irish Rover and Van Beethoven.
O’Brien said: “Everything seems fine with both (Magna Grecia and Ten Sovereigns) at the minute. So far so good. Everything has been well with them so far.”
Circus Maxamus & Mohawk were both taken out at this stage.
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After Pink Dogwood's Listed race success earlier on, Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore completed a Navan double courtesy of Blenheim Palace (5/1) in the BetVictor Proudly Sponsoring Irish Racing Handicap.
O'Brien and Moore relegated Noel Meade to the runner-up spot with Pink Dogwood beating Tu Va's Encapsulation, and it was a case of more of the same here.
Meade's Red Gerry ran well, but not well enough to deny Blenheim Palace, a brother to Churchill and Clemmie, a three parts of a length victory.
"It has taken him a long time to get it together. Ryan thinks a mile and a quarter is fine for him. He's a big, immature baby even before and after the race today," said O'Brien.
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Oaks Favorite Pink Dogwood shows her classic credentials at Navan
The ante-post Oaks favourite, Pink Dogwood takes the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes @NavanRacecourse with Ryan Moore on top for the @Ballydoyle team
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Investec Oaks favourite Pink Dogwood made a winning reappearance with a hard-fought success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes at Navan.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien fired a three-pronged assault on the Listed contest, with Pink Dogwood very much the first string under Ryan Moore.
After successive runner-up finishes at the Curragh last summer, the daughter of Camelot made it third time lucky at Gowran Park before being stepped up to Group One level in the Prix Marcel Boussac at ParisLongchamp.
She was far from disgraced in finishing fifth in France – beaten just a length and a half – and was the 4-5 favourite for this 10-furlong Listed contest on her seasonal bow.
Odds-on backers were made to sweat, with Noel Meade’s recent Clonmel scorer Encapsulation refusing to go down without a fight, but Pink Dogwood eventually got the better of the argument by half a length.
The Ballydoyle inmate is a best priced 5-1 market leader for the Oaks at Epsom on May 31.
O’Brien said: “She was just ready to start off and you couldn’t be happier with her.
“The plan was always that we would go to the Oaks and whether she will have a run or not before then, I’m not sure.
“It’s possible, but not definite, that she will go straight there.”
“She’s a lovely mover and would prefer better (ground), I would imagine.”
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Sir Dragonet bolts up on debut at Tipperary
Smart one for @Ballydoyle? Sir Dragonet (Camelot) is related to the very smart Wonder Of Wonders and makes a winning start for Aidan O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan at @tipperaryraces
Results
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The Aidan O'Brien trained Sir Dragonet ran out a comfortable winner of the Fundraising Events At Tipperary Races Maiden, completing a double on the card for Aidan O'Brien.
As short as 11/2 in early shows, the son of Camelot opened on-course at 8s, before going off a 14/1 chance under Seamie Heffernan.
Fellow Ballydoyle inmate King Pellinor was the one for money, with this once raced brown colt eventually going off the 4/5 favourite, having opened on-course at 11/10.
Settled behind the leaders on the inner, Sir Dragonet made good progress from early in the straight and was soon delivered to challenge.
He got to the front with over a furlong to race and soon shot clear, going on to score impressively by three lengths.
Zarafshan (7/2) finished second under Oisin Orr for Dermot Weld, while the grey Heavenly Snow (16/1) was half a length back in third.
King Pellinor had a far from clear passage in the straight, and he eventually finished seventh under Donnacha O'Brien.
Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "He is a very well bred horse, he is out of Sparrow and has a Galileo pedigree.
"He has been there a while but has obviously been sleeping and that can happen sometimes. That's why we get them out just in case that is the way but it's nice to find him.
"A horse with a pedigree like that could be anything.
"He is in the King Edward Stakes in Ascot and we'll see where we go.
"The first winner (Pistoletto) has plenty speed and we were delighted with him. Donnacha thought he was a smart horse.
"I was delighted with Cape Of Good Hope yesterday and he seems to be well. We went there because we weren't sure about the distance or the track and he obviously coped with both well.
"Ryan thought he would stay further and we'll get through all the trials first and see where we are going. He can be there to go wherever now."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
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Pistoletto dazzles on debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Tip
Pistoletto (War Front) is a half-brother to a US Grade 1 winner and looks good on debut for Aidan O'Brien and @donnacha_obrien at @tipperaryraces.
100% record for the @Ballydoyle juveniles this term!
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Healey Racing Photos
The Aidan O'Brien trained newcomer Pistoletto ran out an impressive winner of the season opener at Tipperary, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The master of Ballydoyle has enjoyed a tremendous start to the season with his juveniles, and was also on the mark at Dundalk yesterday evening with Fort Myers.
Fort Myers is a son of War Front, and so too is Pistoletto, who is a full-brother to dual American Grade 1 winner Avenge.
As short as 8/11 in early shows, Pistoletto eventually went off the clear 11/10 favourite under Donnacha O'Brien.
The field for this five furlong contest split into two groups, with the three who were on the stands side coming home in first, second and third.
The bay victor was never far off the pace and held a definite advantage a furlong and half from home, quickening up smartly in the closing stages, scoring easily by five and a half lengths.
American Lady (14/1) got up for second under Chris Hayes for Fozzy Stack, while Ampeson (12/1) was a further half a length back in third.
"He is fast and has plenty boot for five (furlongs). I'd imagine he's a Norfolk (Stakes, at Royal Ascot) horse", said Donnacha O'Brien.
"He is a beautiful looking horse and is mature and always showed plenty at home. He probably has a little more boot than the lad (Fort Myers) who won at Dundalk last night and he is a smart horse."
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Broome & AVD headline Ballydoyle Dante Entries & Guineas update
25th April
Broome, Anthony Van Dyck and Japan are just a few of Aidan O'Brien's high-class options for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York.
The likes of Magna Grecia, Norway, Mount Everest and Epsom winner Cape Of Good Hope are also among the 61 colts left in the Derby trial.
Ten Sovereigns and Magna Grecia head Aidan O’Brien’s six remaining possibles among a cast list of 31 in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4.
The unbeaten Ten Sovereigns heads the betting following the defection of Too Darn Hot, while Andre Fabre has also made an early decision on Persian King’s participation by taking him out of the first colts’ Classic.
Circus Maximus, Mohawk, The Irish Rover and Van Beethoven complete the Ballydoyle squad.
Aidan left 7 Fillies in the 1000 Guineas - So Perfect, Secret Thoughts, Just Wonderful, Hermosa, Fleeting, Fairyland, Coral Beach.
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Easy for Dunkirk Harbour in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden At Dundalk
Dunkirk Harbour, in first-time blinkers, takes the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at @DundalkStadium for Donnacha O'Brien and Aidan O'Brien
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After taking the opener with Fort Myers, Aidan and Donnacha O'Brien doubled-up in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over a mile, as Dunkirk Harbour routed his rivals.
The son of Declaration Of War was beaten into second when sent off a 4/9 chance over the course last week, but that contest was over an extended mile and a quarter.
Back in trip this evening, and fitted with blinkers for the first time, the grey colt went to post a clear favourite at 8/13.
Settled behind the leaders in third, he cruised through into a share of the lead from early in the straight.
He then hit the front from the furlong pole, and soon stretched clear to score by six and a half lengths.
Queen Guanhumara (10/3) finished second under Ronan Whelan, while Casa Romano was a further length back in third.
"I thought he'd do that last week but it probably didn't suit having to make my own running then and he started hanging a little bit up the straight," said Donnacha O'Brien.
"Blinkers seem to have been a big help. It was a moderate race but it was nice to get a win into him."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
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Fort Myers made to work but gets the job done in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden At Dundalk
War Front colt Fort Myers, out of Irish 1000 Guineas winner Marvellous and related to Gleneagles, makes a winning start for Aidan O'Brien, @donnacha_obrien and @Ballydoyle at @DundalkStadium
Results
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Healey Racing Photos
The regally-bred Fort Myers made the perfect start to his career, as he took the opener at Dundalk this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Out of 2014 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Marvellous, the War Front colt is closely related to Gleneagles and Happily.
Sent off a clear favourite at 1/2, the Aidan O'Brien trained bay raced in a close second, before improving to dispute the lead from early in the straight.
He was ridden by Donnacha O'Brien from the two furlong pole and edged to the front inside the final furlong, keeping on best to score by half a length.
The Joseph O'Brien trained Never Before (7/2) ran a nice race to take second under Shane Crosse, while the front-running St George's Head was a further two lengths back in third.
"I like him. He was a bit greener than the last fella up here. I probably didn't have any horse in the race with experience that could bring me as far as they did over five here the last day," said Donnacha O'Brien.
"He was just a bit raw in front and having a bit of a gawk. It took a few belts just to get him to let down for me and stride but once he got the hang of it he impressed me.
"Six or seven will be no problem for him, I think that will probably be his range for at least the next month or two."
On the surface O'Brien added: "I've never found that it rides bad. When you step out on it it doesn't walk as good but I'm no expert on these surfaces and all I can tell you is how it's riding from my point of view and I'm happy with how it's riding.
"Obviously there are people that are more qualified than me that will look at the track and see if there is anything that needs to be done. If there is I'm sure it will be done."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
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Cape Of Good Hope stays on strongly to land the Investec Blue Riband Trial (listed) At Epsom
Derby contender? Cape Of Good Hope lands the Investec Blue Riband Trial, a first success in the race for Aidan O'Brien in a cracking finish at @EpsomRacecourse
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Photo Courtesy of Eve Wray
Cape of Good Hope the full brother to 7 time Group 1 winner Highland Reel threw his hat into the Derby shake up this afternoon at Epsom downs staying on strongly to see off his rivals in the Blue Ribband Classic Trial. He was given a confident ride by his partner Ryan Moore and had to show alot of guts & determination to fight off the fast finishing Cap Francais but the son of Galileo held on.
Kevin Buckley Coolmore's UK representative was delighted with the performance saying that Cape Of Good Hope was only ready to start today & when asked about future plans for the horse he said "TJ will take the horse back home tonight and will report to Aidan and Aidan will discuss things with the owners & decide weither he needs another run before the Derby. Ryan was delighted with him".
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Aidan pleased with new seven-furlong track at Cork
24th April
Aidan O'Brien was full of praise for the new seven-furlong track at Cork following a trial on Tuesday.
A number of horses galloped at the track to test how the new section of course was bedding in ahead of the first meeting on May 10th, and the champion trainer was delighted with what he saw.
"It's something really exciting. We never had a seven-furlong track like this in Ireland before, it's a flat, fast seven furlongs, horses don't miss a beat down there, the ground was beautiful. I think it's really exciting," said O’Brien.
"It’s different class. This is a great track. Like I said, it's real flat, fast. It dries out really well, the ground gets lovely and quick.
"We’re just very lucky to have it, a stand and facilities like this, stable yard, parade ring. It’s great for us to have it in this part of the country really."
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Dunkirk Harbour bids to break his maiden tag at Dundalk tonight
24th April
Dropping back to a mile can see Dunkirk Harbour get off the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden in Dundalk on Wednesday evening.
Aidan O'Brien's colt was all the rage for his first crack at an extended mile-and-a-quarter maiden at this track last week, but was outgunned by Pearlman at the business end.
He has the strongest form in the book of the eight runners and first-time blinkers could eke out a bit more from him.
O’Brien unleashes regally-bred Fort Myers in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden for juveniles.
This colt is by War Front out of Galileo mare Marvellous who won the Irish 1,000 Guineas, so it will be fascinating to see how he fares on debut.
Carefully, a sister of Fort Myers, contests the Crowne Plaza Dundalk Race & Stay Fillies Maiden for O’Brien and can step up on previous efforts now that she tries Polytrack.
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Kew Gardens headlines Vintage Crop entries
23rd April
The Ballydoyle handler has saddled seven of the last 12 winners of the Group Three prize, with the mighty Yeats (2007 and 2008) and Fame And Glory (2011 and 2012) both landing successive renewals.
This year the one-mile-six-furlong contest is the sole Irish qualifier for the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ Million, with a £1million bonus up for grabs for any horse who can go on to win the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, the Goodwood Cup and the Lonsdale Cup at York — as Stradivarius did in 2018.
Kew Gardens enjoyed an excellent three-year-old season last term, winning the Queen’s Vase and the Grand Prix de Paris before claiming Classic glory in the St Leger at Doncaster.
The Galileo colt rounded off his campaign by finishing a respectable seventh in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
O’Brien could also call upon the 2017 Irish Derby and St Leger hero Capri, Cypress Creek and Southern France.
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Cape Of Good Hope set for Epsom Mission on Wednesday
23rd April
Aidan O’Brien’s Cape Of Good Hope will gain some valuable Epsom experience in the Investec Blue Riband Trial.
A winner at Tipperary, Cape Of Good Hope proved himself at a higher level when second to Quorto in the Superlative Stakes and third to stablemate Mohawk in the Royal Lodge.
Highland Reel’s brother is one of only two of Wednesday’s seven runners entered in the Derby, along with Roger Varian’s Mackaar — and the winner, if not already entered, gets a wildcard into the Classic.
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Gentile Bellini starts to pay back some of his lofty price tag
Healy Racing Photos (C)
The concluding Join Us Here Again Tomorrow Maiden saw Aidan O'Brien join his wife Annmarie and sons Joseph and Donnacha on the Cork scoresheet as Ballydoyle's Gentile Bellini did the needful.
Gentile Bellini certainly has it on breeding — by Dubawi out of Sky Lantern. Backed from 7/1 into 9/2 on track the 2 million guinea yearling was reappearing off a 167 day break after two outings as a juvenile.
Gentile Bellini made start three a winning one under Seamie Heffernan.
Soon in front, the attractive sort ultimately had a length and three parts in hand over Karakhan.
For Annmarie, Joseph and Donnacha O'Brien, Isotope was successful in the three-year-old handicap earlier on the programme.
"He had two nice runs last year and always looked like a horse who was going to improve with more time. He gave me a nice feel," said Heffernan on Gentile Bellini.
"Aidan will make him into a Stakes horse and where he'll end up we'll see."
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Galileo Year By Year Stats Weekly Update
Galileo Worldwide Black Type Horses 2019
Leading Sires GB & IRE Tables Updated - Galileo just outside top 10 - AP & No Nay Never Lead - Camelot in second
A.P.O'Brien Race Win Stats Poster Updated
A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated
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Galileo Individual Group Race Winners Poster Updated
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Another debut winning Ballydoyle juvenile as King Neptune impresses at Dundalk
Healy Racing Photos (C)
It's a win on debut for son of War Front, King Neptune, who cruises to victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden under @donnacha_obrien for the @Ballydoyle team
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Aidan O'Brien maintained his 100% record with his two juvenile runners at Dundalk today as the Champion Trainer sent out King Neptune to win the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden under his son and Champion Jockey Donnacha O'Brien.
Trainer O'Brien sent out Monarch Of Egypt to win at Naas last weekend and today followed up with King Neptune, a son of War Front who quickened smartly in the closing stages to score a comfortable three and a quarter lengths win over Yesterdayoncemore.
O'Brien junior later commented “he was fairly straight forward and professional, not as green as I thought he would be. He bounced out and travelled, quickened up nicely and will be better with another furlong.
“The surface was fine on him. He’s a War Front and it felt good on him.
“It’s firm in places but you can go down five or six inches in other places.”
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Coolmore swoop to land Starspangledbanner Colt at Craven Breeze Up Sale
Consigned by @grovestud, Lot 28 - colt by @coolmorestud’s Starspangledbanner is knocked down to Jamie McCalmont for 220,000gns @Tattersalls1766. He is from the family of dual Gr.1 winner ALAMSHAR #readallaboutit
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Coolmore made a rare Breeze up sale purchase yesterday at Tattersalls .The 2 Year Old was Purchased by Jamie McCalmont on behalf of M V Magnier for 220,000 Guineas at the Craven Breeze Up Sale.
This 2 Year Old is from the family of dual Group 1 winner Alamshar. The dam Welcome Spring is an unraced daughter of Lawman. Welcome Spring's first foal is an Unraced 3YO named Breath of Spring by Bated Breath & is in training with Marco Botti in the UK.
Starspangledbanner is off to a flyer in 2019 with 2 sharp juveniles Lady Kermit & Chasing Dreams getting off the mark on debut both look on course for Royal Ascot.
This fella could follow in the footeps of Cenotaph a previous Craven Breeze Up Sale purchase who ended up at Ballydoyle but nothing has yet been confirmed.
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Aidan set to test classic credentials of Western Australia in Feilden Stakes
15th April
Aidan O’Brien is hunting for his first victory in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on Tuesday. Kew Gardens who would go on to become a multiple Group 1 winner ran with credit & was placed 3rd behind Mildenberger in the 2018 renewal.
Western Australia has been chosen to represent Ballydoyle in this years race The 3 year old son of second season sire Australia finished third in the Futurity Trophy Group 1 behind Magna Grecia at Doncaster, but was beaten on his return to action at Dundalk in the Kentucky Derby trial finishing half a length off Playa Del Puente.
Western Australia is set to be partnered by Ryan Moore and is currently 6 to 4.
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Ferretti Brings up Ballydoyle double at Dundalk
A nervy moment for long odds-on punters at Dundalk as Ferretti has to be driven out to beat Succeedandsurpass - the runner-up was making an encouraging debut against a son of War Front with plenty of experience
Results
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Donnacha O'Brien completed a double at Dundalk today for his father Aidan when Ferretti opened his account in the Imperial Hotel Dundalk Maiden.
The War Front colt was sent to post a 2/5 shot for the seven-furlong contest having shown a decent level of ability in better quality turf maidens.
He was to the fore throughout and led entering the straight. Newcomer Succeedandsurpass pressed him inside the final furlong but the hotpot was always finding enough to record a half length win.
“He had some solid form in the book so it's nice to get his head in front,” said Donnacha O'Brien.
“There is plenty of wind and the surface is probably slightly deeper than it has been. I think it's riding quite well to be honest and that's probably what was needed for it, to deepen it a little bit.
“My lad had the form and the front two were the fancied two regardless of where they came from.
“He's a solid horse and ran to his mark there. He deserved to win a maiden.”
Healy Racing Photos (C)
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Empire State a maiden no more as he takes Dundalk Maiden
Empire State gained a deserved success when claiming the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Dundalk this afternoon.
The Ballydoyle colt had been placed on four of his six previous runs and got his head in front in the five-furlong contest.
Donnacha O'Brien tracked the front-running Mistress Of Venice on the 4/6 favourite before asking him for an effort a furlong-and-a-half from home.
The Scat Daddy colt got on top inside the final 100 yards to record a length-and-a-quarter win.
“Billy's horse rubbered along there and was probably giving him everything she had early. My horse travelled well, I was comfortable and I was happy when I got stuck into him he'd find a length or two,” said the winning rider.
“After that I'd nearly say six might be his optimum trip. I travelled but I wasn't hard on it early.
“The wind is behind us jumping out of the stalls and then is left to right in the straight. It probably suited me as I got a little bit of cover on my left.
“He'll probably go for a handicap somewhere. He's not world beater but it was nice to get a win into him.”
Healy Racing Photos (C)
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A.P.O'Brien Career Stats Updated
A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated
A.P.O'Brien Group Race History Honours Board Updated
A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated
A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses Updated
A.P.O'Brien Race Win Stats Poster Updated
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Former Ballydoyle resident Valenzuela (Galileo) won during the week in Australia - Galileo now stands on 1,386 individual winners and 67.84% of raced Galileo's have won races.
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South Pacific brings up Ballydoyle treble in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden At Naas Barbados was a close up 2nd
Healy Racing Photos (C)
The Ballydoyle yard is certainly firing on all cylinders now! South Pacific, under Donnacha O'Brien, eventually gets past Barbados to deny Ryan Moore a treble on the day in this 1m 2f maiden
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Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien completed a treble at Naas today as his South Pacific scored a short-head success over stablemate Barbados in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
O'Brien's earlier winners, debutante Monarch Of Egypt and last year's Group 1 heroine Magical, were both ridden by Ryan Moore but it was the trainer's son Donnacha O'Brien who scuppered Moore's treble as he steered South Pacific to win.
Jockey O'Brien had previously received a heavy fall from South Pacific at Leopardstown a week ago, as the colt was brought down in a nasty incident as the runners approached the road-crossing. However the pair bounced back in style today as they eventually edged past pace-setting Barbados, who provided a persistent challenge to the line.
Trainer O'Brien later said “we like both horses. Ryan’s horse was still a bit green and Donnacha’s horse likes a lead.
“It was nice for Donnacha to get a winner on him after the fall (at Leopardstown last Saturday). He can go back to a handicap and Donnacha thinks that he might get a mile and a half.
“They went a good gallop, and going further would leave him with more options.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
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Magical leads home Flag Of Honour in Ballydoyle 1,2 in the Alleged Stakes (Group 3) At Naas
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Magical shows she is all class @NaasRacecourse in the Alleged Stakes, as she cruises to victory for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore
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Fancy another crack at Enable later on? We better get Ryan Moore's answer to that question after Magical underlined her class a little earlier
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The Mooresbridge, the Prix Ganay and the Tattersalls Gold Cup are among Magical's immediate options now, and trainer Aidan O'Brien sounds more than keen to take on Enable again at some point
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Monarch Of Egypt under Ryan Moore ensures American Pharoah begins his career as a sire with a winner!
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Aidan O'Brien says he has a few more American Pharoahs up his sleeve to run in due course after Monarch Of Egypt gets the Triple Crown winner off to a winning start as a stallion - Royal Ascot likely next
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Aidan O'Brien unleashed an exciting prospect as Monarch Of Egypt made a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Naas.
A $750,000 son of American Pharoah, the stallion's first runner in Ireland, he was sent off the 9/10 favourite and went to the front two out under Ryan Moore.
He soon put matters to bed, quickening smartly to beat Ming Warrior (5/1) by two-and-three-quarter lengths with In The Present (16/1) a length-and-a-half way in third.
Monarch Of Egypt was the Ballydoyle team's first juvenile runner of the season.
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Aidan excited to unleash American Pharoah's Monarch Of Egypt at Naas
Aidan O'Brien has 7 American Pharoah 2 year olds to go to war with in 2019 and the first is set to make his debut this weekend.
Monarch of Egypt A $750,000 purchase by M V Magnier is from the first crop of Triple Crown Winner American Pharaoh & will be the sires first ever progeny to take to the track and begins his career in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.
His Dam Up is a Group 2 winning daughter of Galileo she won the Blanchford Stakes and was runner up in the French 1000 Guineas. Monarch Of Egypt is a half brother to race placed Upfront.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien said “He will be our first two-year-old runner of the season and being by American Pharaoh it is very exciting. He has been pleasing us at home and we’re looking forward to getting him started on Saturday.”
American Pharoah's 2 Year Olds at Ballydoyle
Colts
Hong Kong - American Pharoah x Mekko Hokte
Monarch of Egypt - American Pharoah x Up
South Saqqara - American Pharoah x Global Finance
Unnamed - American Pharoah x Canterbury Lace
Fillies
Holy Roman Empress - American Pharoah x Damson
Unamed - American Pharoah x Pretty N Smart
Unamed - American Pharoah x Shawara
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Ballydoyle double handed in Alleged Stakes
12th April
Magical and Flag Of Honour give Aidan O’Brien a strong hand as he chases a fifth victory in the Alleged Stakes at Naas on Saturday.
The Ballydoyle handler landed the very first running of this Group Three contest with Black Sam Bellamy in 2003 and has since struck gold with Brian Boru (2004), Dylan Thomas (2007) and last year’s winner Capri.
Ryan Moore has unsurprisingly opted to partner the top-class filly Magical in this year’s renewal. The daughter of Galileo landed the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot last October before pushing John Gosden’s Enable all the way in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
O’Brien is looking forward to seeing the daughter of Galileo return to the fray this weekend.
He said: “She’s obviously back after a break, but we’ve been happy with her and she’s been doing everything nicely at home. She’s just ready to start, but we’re happy with what she’s doing.
“We were delighted with her at the end of last year and she really got it together. Obviously we’re looking forward to this year with her.”
Seamie Heffernan takes the ride on last year’s Irish St Leger hero Flag Of Honour.
O’Brien added: “We’re happy with him and he’s just ready to start. He’s in good form and hopefully he will run a nice race.
“Obviously we know he stays much further and we’ll probably step him up after this.”
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Leger Hero Kew Gardens among Ballydoyle quartet in Jockey Club Stakes
10th April
St Leger hero Kew Gardens is one of five Ballydoyle possibles among 23 in the Roaring Lion Jockey Club Stakes at the Newmarket Guineas meeting.
Kew Gardens went on to finish seventh in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and looks set to be a leading player in all the big middle-distance races this season.
Flag Of Honour, Cypress Creek, Hunting Horn and Southern France complete the Ballydoyle quintet entered on May 4.
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Off & Running in UK - A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated
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Antilles 2nd U S S Michigan 4th in the Cardinal Stakes at Chelmsford
Big year ahead? Bye Bye Hong Kong lands the £60,000 feature for @SilvDSousa, Andrew Balding and King Power Racing at @ChelmsfordCRC. US Triple Crown nominees U S S Michigan and Shir Khan are both unplaced
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Our 1st Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 10 Ballydoyle Residents in the rankings.
Huge thanks to Timeform - website
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Capri, Magical, Flag Of Honour, Kew Gardens, Hunting Horn, & Southern France all entered in the Coronation Cup in June.
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No One has trained more Guineas winners
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The Epsom Derby Shake Up
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Leading Sires GB & IRE Tables Updated (Early Days)
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Chelmsford delighted to welcome Ballydoyle duo & Aidan
10th April
Chelmsford officials are thrilled to be welcoming Aidan O’Brien’s first ever runners at the track for the Woodford Reserve Cardinal Conditions Stakes.
Thursday’s inaugural £60,000 contest is the last of seven races in the ‘European Road To The Kentucky Derby’ – and offers the winner, provided they are nominated, 30 qualification points for the opening leg of the US Triple Crown, which takes place at Churchill Downs on Saturday May 4.
Two of the nine declared horses for the Chelmsford feature are in contention for the Kentucky Derby, most notably O’Brien’s exciting colt U S S Michigan – who made an impressive return to action on the all-weather at Dundalk last month.
Speaking at a press morning at his yard on Monday, O’Brien said: “If we were to have a horse for the Kentucky Derby, U S S Michigan would be the only one. He is a big, long-striding cruiser – and we always thought he would get a mile and further.”
U S S Michigan is one of two runners for O’Brien, along with Naas nursery winner Antilles.
Andy Waitt, clerk of the course, said: “We’re looking forward to it immensely.
“The Ballydoyle horses have arrived and are safely tucked up in their boxes. Joseph O’Brien has had runners here before, but these will be Aidan’s first runners – which is hugely exciting for everyone involved.
“We’re well-supported by Newmarket trainers and from further afield, but to have Aidan O’Brien’s horses here is a cherry on top of the cake.”
He added: “Mike Ziegler from Churchill Downs was looking for somewhere to hold the race. We offered to stage it here, and we’re delighted to have it.
“It would be amazing if a horse could win here and go on and win the Kentucky Derby.
“I saw U S S Michigan after he arrived – and I have to say he is a lovely looking horse.”
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Aidan lives & breaths racing he has no other interests
9th April
Aidan O'Brien gave an insight into day-to-day life at Ballydole on Monday and revealed that, other than training his team of 200 horses, he has no other interests.
The record-breaking trainer opened the gates of his famous yard to the media and, in addition to discussing his big hopes for the new campaign, talked about how his life revolves purely around his horses.
"I look forward to coming out to the horses every single morning and every morning is different and new," he said.
"I don't have any other interest - not another thing. This is my golf and everything rolled into one.
"The only time I'm not here is when I'm at the races for a few hours - you need every minute of the day to get it all together and you need to stay as fresh as you can the whole time.
"I work through the day first and would take time in the evenings to relax, but you have to keep yourself fresh and clear to get the information straight away to make a decision about something."
O'Brien's string was hit by a virus in midsummer last year, and he added: "You have to be prepared that a virus can happen to you, as it can happen to everybody.
"Things don't always work and I would look back on last year and see how and why it happened. If we made decisions on how and why it (the virus) came in, I would think back on those things and we would try to change them.
"We didn't have a bad year last year, but there were some races the horses didn't go in and some horses didn't progress the way we would have liked, but there was no point in crying or talking about it."
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Aidan News on Ten Sovereigns USS Michigan Japan Mount Everest & Ryan Moore's future
8th April
Aidan O'Brien reports 2,000 Guineas candidate Ten Sovereigns to have done well physically during the winter as the Champion Trainer believes he has the ammunition to succeed in the coming months.
Speaking at a press day at Ballydoyle on Monday morning, O'Brien said “we think at the moment we have ammunition but it is moving and changing all the time. You have to have them performing but we are hoping we are on the right track.
“We have 200 riding out in total, 100 are two year olds and we have 10 to 12 older horses and the rest are three year olds. That is our full capacity but it is very manageable.
“Last year the horses weren't able to acclimatise as there was snow early in the year and it became very warm during the summer. Not once were the horses galloped on grass last year from January to December. This year we have done a lot of grass work already.
“The first weekend in May is usually the first time we hope to have them in good order and other than that, the idea is to start and see where we are.”
Regarding the upcoming English 2,000 Guineas, the 21-times Champion Irish Flat Trainer said “Ten Sovereigns physically has done well and he is a very relaxed horse. Nothing would suggest he wouldn't get a mile.
“We will skip the Greenham Stakes at Newbury as there is no point taking on Too Darn Hot when he isn't fully ready and he will go straight to the 2,000 Guineas.”
O'Brien intends having his first runners at Chelmsford on Thursday where he is hoping U S S Michigan can win en route to a possible tilt at the Kentucky Derby.
He said “Antilles and U S S Michigan will both run at Chelmsford on Thursday. If we were to have a horse for the Kentucky Derby, U S S Michigan would be the only one.
“I'm not yet sure if a win in Chelmsford would be enough to get him in to Kentucky but he is a big, long striding cruiser and we always thought he would get a mile and further.”
Regarding recent failures in that famed Kentucky race he added “last year was a good experience to witness it and see it and it was totally ruthless. We learned a lot and the fierceness of the whole thing surprised us. It was a good experience to witness it and there are things we need to improve on.”
Sergei Prokofiev has already won impressively for the Ballydoyle maestro this new season and he reported “Sergei Prokofiev is a very fast horse, as fast a horse as I've ever had. He was a three year old running against older horses with a penalty at Naas and won. It is the way he comes through his race; he is very fast but is a six furlong horse, not five furlongs.”
He added “the Derby Trials are coming up a week or ten days after the Guineas so there will be a bunch trained for the Guineas and it is also possible there will be a couple of Derby horses we'll let run in the Guineas. There is a lot of horses to get out and the likes of Circus Maximus could go to a Guineas instead of a Derby Trial.
“Hermosa will go straight to the Guineas and along with So Perfect both have physically done very well. Just Wonderful and Fairyland will also go straight to the Guineas and I'm very happy with both.
“I'm very happy with Japan and Mount Everest, a beautiful moving horse, has done extremely well physically. I was very pleased with Broome winning at Leopardstown and Anthony Van Dyck is another Derby horse and will run in a Trial first. Old Glory and Norway are other horses who will run in Derby Trials.
“Goddess is just coming back into full work. She was a bit sick last year and didn't get back to run. I don't think she will be back ready to run in the Classics and if you asked us now, I'd say not. She will probably be looking at Royal Ascot and have a run before it.
“The Ascot Gold Cup is the big one for us mid-season and Capri will step him up in trip and go the staying route and we'll. Kew Gardens will go the 1m4f route first before running in the Coronation and then the King George.”
O'Brien gave a full, frank and very open interview to the assembled press group, who were given access to the Ballydoyle office, and said “I look forward to coming out to the horses every single morning and every morning is different and new. I don't have any other interest, not another thing. This is my golf and everything rolled into one.
“The only other time I'm not here is at the races for a few hours; you need every minute of the day to get it all together and you need to stay as fresh as you can the whole time. I work through the day first and would take time in the evenings to relax but you have to keep yourself fresh and clear to get the information straight away to make a decision about something.
“When things go wrong and you do your best, you can accept it very easily but when things go wrong and you feel like you didn't do your best, that's when it would get to you. The reality of life is you can't kid yourself.”
A virus hit the yard mid-summer last year and he added “you have to be prepared that a virus can happen to you as it can happen to everybody. Things don't always work and I would look back on last year and see how and why it happened. If we made decisions on how and why it (the virus) came in, I would think back on those things and we would try and change them.
“At the time we would be happy we made those decisions but it can be a stress related thing by pushing too hard here or there. Things are caused by a line of circumstances and I would think back and we'd change those things and try not to let it happen this year.
“We didn't have a bad year last year but there were some races the horses didn't go in and some horses didn't progress the way we would have liked but there was no point in crying or talking about it.”
Regarding Ryan Moore's position as stable jockey he stated “we've brought over Ryan (Moore) more this year to help him to get to know the horses more. I am conscious he has a young family and I don't want to be dragging him over too much but it is good to get a feel for the horses, although to really know the horses you have to ride them in races.
“Every horse carries a heart monitor during exercise, which Tom Curtis oversees. From that he can tell which trip a horse might prefer and can tell what stallion a horse is by. Galileo, for example, has a very large heart and a huge set of lungs and Tom can tell which horses are sired by him as he has passed those traits on to his progeny.
“It's all about the people, the riders and you're kidding yourself if you think otherwise.”
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Pictures & Video of Ten Sovereigns U S S Michigan Flag Of Honour Le Brivido & AVD at Ballydoyle this morning
First lot @Ballydoyle this morning. @Louchepunter @WHR @curraghrace @LeopardstownRC @Galway_Races @RTEracing
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A.P.O'Brien Career Stats updated
A.P.O'Brien Year By Year Stats Updated
A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated
A.P.O'Brien Top Earning Horses In Training 2019 Updated
A.P.O'Brien Group Race History Honors Board Updated
A.P.O'Brien Race Win Stats Poster Updated
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Impressive Eminence breaks maiden tag in Leopardstown Handicap
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore completed a 97/1 Leopardstown treble when Eminence (7/1) prevailed in the Leopardstown Ladies Evening Handicap.
At the seven furlong point Jupiter Road appeared to go wrong and cannoned into Eminence's stable companion, South Pacific, bringing that fellow and Donnacha O'Brien to the ground. Thankfully all seemed relatively okay afterwards.
Earlier on the mark with Never No More in the 2,000 Guineas Trial, and Broome in the Ballysax, here Eminence added to O'Brien's gains by tracking the leaders on the inner, and he was third at the halfway stage.
Pushed along early in the straight Eminence made headway under two furlongs out.
Ridden to lead a furlong out, the victorious Sea The Stars colt soon asserted and stayed on well to account for Elite Trooper Grey by three and a half lengths.
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Broome Bedazzles them in Ballysax
Another super win for team Ballydoyle
BROOME
See Leopardstown RC's other Tweets
Very impressive - Broome stamps his Classic claims on his return in the Ballysax for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien at @LeopardstownRC
Results
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Impressive Eminence wins the Leopardstown Ladies Evening Handicap at Leopardstown Blenheim Palace unplaced & South Pacific fell
Dual Derby winner Australia produced an exciting type in opening race winner Buckhurst, and another son of that impeccably bred stallion really took the breath away as Broome impressed greatly in the Group Three P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.
A second winner on the afternoon for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, Broome was patiently ridden from the back.
Asked to take closer order approaching the straight Broome took over a furlong and a half out and he soon asserted to defeat Sovereign, his stable companion, by eight lengths.
O’Brien, earlier on the mark with Never No More in the 2,000 Guineas Trial, said: “You'd be delighted with that. We always thought that he was a horse that when he went further he'd appreciate it.
“Ryan was very happy. He got the mile-and-a-quarter really well there and he'll come back here for the Derrinstown.
“He's lovely and sleepy and lazy. We made the decision that we'd take our time with him this year. Last year we maybe forced him a little bit because he stayed so well and it wasn't really fair to him.
“He loves relaxing there and the great thing is that he really gallops home.
“They went along and still the horse that made it was second. It was just a properly run race.
“He'll love better ground. We weren't sure about the soft ground but Donnacha, who rides him all the time at home, thought that he would be okay on it but he's a very good mover.”
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Never No More throws his hat in the Guineas shake up
Never No More inflicts a first defeat on Madhmoon in the @BallylinchStud 2,000 Guineas Trial for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien at LeopardstownRC
Ante-post
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Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore struck in race two at Leopardstown, the Listed Ballylinch Stud ‘Red Rocks’ 2,000 Guineas Trial Stake with Never No More (3/1 into 5/2).
The victorious No Nay Never colt showed the benefit of race fitness, displaying a superior change of gear inside the last to beat Madhmoon (4/5 into 4/6) by half a length.
For the Irish 2,000 Guineas Paddy Power now go 10/1 from 33/1 about Never No More.
“We're delighted and he came forward lovely from Naas,” said O'Brien.
“Donnacha liked him in Naas and we liked him last year, Ryan was delighted with him.
“He got a nice position and when he eased him out he found plenty for him. He was very happy with him.
“Obviously he'd be very happy with nice ground but he handled the ease well today.
“We could look at a Guineas with him, either France or England — he could be a French Guineas horse.
“He's tactical and he seems to get that trip well. He finishes off and he did that in Naas as well.”
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Ten Sovereigns headlines Guineas trial entries
2nd April
Unbeaten juveniles Ten Sovereigns is among a 21-strong entry for the Ballylinch Stud ‘Red Rocks’ 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Ten Sovereigns is already a Group One winner for Aidan O’Brien having won his maiden, a Group Three and the Middle Park in the space of five weeks last summer.
Advertising his strength in depth, O’Brien has another Group One winner entered in the shape of Magna Grecia, who prevailed in a tight finish in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster over a mile.
