Lost Treasure completes a treble for Aidan & Donnacha

Healy Racing Photos

31.08

Lost Treasure completed a treble for Aidan and Donnacha O'Brien, as he took the concluding Summer Sounds At The Curragh Handicap.

Successful in a maiden over the course on Sunday, the son of War Front was sent off at 5/1 on what was his debut in handicap company.

Settled in mid-division, the bay victor came with his challenge between horses from the furlong pole, and was pushed along to lead inside the final 100 yards, going on to score comfortably by half a length.

Amanaat (20/1) kept on well to take second under Seamie Heffernan for Denis Hogan, while the 9/2 favourite (backed from 11/2) Shore Step was a neck back in third.

O’Brien senior, who was on the mark earlier with Cardini and Sir Erec, said afterwards: "It was a good performance coming back quickly from a maiden and into a handicap. He travels well and has loads of speed.

"He's a fast horse and you would be delighted with him. We'll look for a good handicap with him over five or six, and he wants a nice bit of ground."

Sir Erec brings up the double

Healy Racing Photos

31.08

Sir Erec completed a double at the Curragh for Aidan and Donnacha O'Brien, as he justified favouritism in the Curragh Home Of Champions Maiden.

Fourth on his debut at Naas last November, the son of Camelot went down by just a short head on his return to action at Leopardstown in April.

Expected to go one place better this evening, he was sent off favourite at 11/8, and made virtually all.

He was pressed by market rival Jassaar (2/1) with two furlongs left to race, but responded well to pressure inside the final furlong, going on to see off that rival by half a length.

Declan McDonogh was aboard the runner-up for Dermot Weld, while 9/2 chance Would Be King was another five lengths back in third.

Aidan O’Brien said afterwards: "He kept going and galloping. He'll be a nice horse and will stay well too. We'll see what the handicapper does with him or he could go for a conditions race either.

"He's a horse that should progress. He's a fine big fella and should do well over a trip next year."

Cardini finally breaks his Maiden

Healy Racing Photos

Aidan O’Brien returned to form with a bang at the Curragh last weekend saddling six winners, and the upturn in fortunes at Ballydoyle continued back at headquarters as Cardini defied top-weight in the Irish EBF Supporting Irish Champions Weekend Premier Nursery.

Donnacha O’Brien’s mount, runner-up on his previous two starts at Killarney and having his sixth outing here, led a quarter of a mile out and kept on well inside the final furlong of this €40,000 7f event.

The 3/1 chance had half a length to spare over Facethepuckout, with Vidiyni finding no extra a further two lengths adrift in third.

Aidan O’Brien said, “He’s getting it together and slowly progressing. He was a bit babyish mentally but travels through a race very strong.

“He likes plenty of pace in front of him. He’s hardy too and taking his racing well.”

A good day beckons for Ballydoyle at the Curragh

31st August

Aidan and Donnacha O’Brien boast a clutch of leading chances at the Curragh on Friday evening.

The duo get under way in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden as they team up with Afar, a full-sister to black-type performers Circling and Easter Lily.

She is one of three runners for the Ballydoyle handler along with Carefully, who is a daughter of 2014 Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Marvellous, and Mona Lisa’s Smile who has failed to strike in three starts so far.

My Laureate is going to be among the market leaders for Fozzy Stack, though, after finishing runner-up on her debut.

The O'Briens then have Pink Dogwood in the fillies’ maiden over a mile and she will likely be a short price after finishing second on her first outing.

Delphinia and Enticed also run for O’Brien senior, with the Ger Lyons-trained Singer and Jessica Harrington’s Trethias looking like the other key movers.

Ballydoyle representative Cardini has been well tried and finished fifth in the Chesham Stakes, so he is the one most will be siding with in the Irish EBF Supporting Irish Champions Weekend Premier Nursery Handicap.

Prepare For Battle in the Kildare Brewing Company At Lock 13 Brewpub Maiden, Sir Erec in the Curragh Home Of Champions Maiden and Lost Treasure in the closing Summer Sounds At The Curragh Handicap are other contenders for the O’Briens on an eight-race card.

Meanwhile, Joseph O’Brien could also get in on the act as Rockabill heads the market for the Paddy Power Amateur Riders Derby (Q.R.) Handicap.

Firefly breaks her Maiden Tag

30.08

Fire Fly made the breakthrough on her fourth start, as she got the better of market rival Tarnawa in the Camas Park Stud Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

Second on her most recent outing at Leopardstown, the Aidan O'Brien trained victor was sent off at 15/8 (from 9/4) with Donnacha O'Brien in the saddle.

Settled behind the leaders on the outer, the daughter of Galileo took closer order from over two furlongs out.

She was pushed along to lead over a furlong from home, and kept on well from there to see off the 11/10 favourite Tarnawa by a neck.

Aidan O'Brien also saddle the third horse home, and that was Credenza (16/1), who was another three and a half lengths back with Seamie Heffernan aboard.

The winning trainer said afterwards: "She has progressed with every run and just got caught the last day. She travels well and the second is a good filly I'd say and it was a good run.

"She'll step into a stakes race now."

Our 15th Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 12 Ballydoyle Residents in the rankings.

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Astronomer's win was written in the stars

29.08

"He's done it nicely and improved plenty for the step up in trip. He only does what he has to but is a nice stayer," said championship leading jockey Donnacha O'Brien after winning the featured Thatch Bar And Restaurant Handicap at Bellewstown aboard Astronomer (6/4 favourite).

Only a three-year-old, Astronomer put in an impressive display on the back of a Galway maiden success from over three weeks ago.

The son of Galileo coped with a step up in trip against battle-hardened opposition in style.

O'Brien always had leader Warnaq in his sights, and once asked to go about his business from over a furlong out the Ballydoyle representative kept on strongly to put four lengths between himself and The Mouse Doctor

"He was fine on that better ground. There is a bit of juice in it and it's good safe ground," further explained O'Brien in the aftermath.

Ultra Impressive Ten Sovereigns could run in Round Tower this weekend

28th August

Ten Sovereigns could be back out again quickly after his sparkling debut performance on Saturday as he appeared among 14 confirmations for the John Sisk & Son Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien’s youngster strolled to a seven-length victory last weekend and could be joined by stablemates Sergei Prokofiev, Gossamer Wings and Fantasy.

Aidan is in no rush with Goddess

27.08

Aidan O'Brien will not hurry former 1000 Guineas favourite Goddess back into action following a lacklustre effort last time.

A 10-length winner of her maiden at Leopardstown, she was then sent off an odds-on favourite for the Silver Flash Stakes.

However, the daughter of Camelot finished last of six and O’Brien is biding his time before making a decision on whether to tackle the Moyglare Stud Stakes on September 16th.

He said: "Not definitely because she was a little bit under the weather after the last day and we won’t rush her back.

"I was looking at her on Sunday morning and was thinking 'would we run her anymore this year or not'. We won’t be in any panic as she’s had the three runs."

O’Brien ran a trio of fillies in the Debutante Stakes on Sunday, but all were put in their place by Patrick Prendergast’s impressive winner Skitter Scatter.

Zagitova fared best for Ballydoyle in third, with Hermosa sixth and Peach Tree eighth.

"We were very happy with them and they’ll be fine. They’ll all come back here for the Moyglare," said O’Brien.

Irish Champion Stakes Or QEII next for Saxon Warrior

27th August

Aidan O’Brien will decide on Saxon Warrior’s participation in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes within the next 10 days.

The 2000 Guineas winner finished fourth, beaten five lengths, by Roaring Lion in the Juddmonte International at York last week.

On his previous start he had only been a neck behind John Gosden’s grey in the Eclipse and O’Brien admitted that after the Sandown race, Saxon Warrior had been affected by the virus which his yard struggled with in mid-summer.

“He was very sick after Sandown. We had it in our mind if we got him back he’d go to York and then come back to Leopardstown and then we might go back to a mile (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes) at Ascot,” said O’Brien.

“The thing is now whether we give him another go at a mile and a quarter, because he was very sick and you’d have to say that he could come on a good bit from it.

“We’ll decide in the next 10 days.”

Mendy's Classic dream is still alive

Aidan O'Brien has confirmed the Mendelssohn's next run will be in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn emerged from his runner-up performance behind Catholic Boy in the Grade 1 Runhappy Travers in good shape, T.J. Comerford, assistant to trainer Aidan Said "he came out of the race well . “Even after his race yesterday, I had him down at the test barn, and he pulled the arms on me and he was still whinnying, so the race couldn't have taken that whole amount out of him because he had his dinner last night, he's straight into his breakfast, he's showing the signs that he's in a good place he appears to be getting the hang of American racing".

Aidan said "I was delighted. That was his second run back and we couldn't be happier,"

"I think we have 10 weeks now to the Classic. He'll go straight there. That was the plan we had - three runs for him."

European first season sire championship spotlight - Plenty of Coolmore Sires & former Ballydoyle residents shining in their first seasons

Leading Sires GB & IRE Tables Updated - Galileo No Nay Never & Camelot On Verge of Titles Excelebration remains in 10th

Aidan O'Brien's 340 Individual Group Race Winners as AVD gets an upgrade to G2 status

AVD leads home Ballydoyle 123 in Futurity

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Ryan Moore: "I think the ground was maybe just a bit too tacky for Anthony Van Dyck but he was well on top. I like him an awful lot." pic.twitter.com/Z8InHtTikM
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Anthony Van Dyck brought up his hat-trick in comfortable fashion in the Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh.

Aidan O'Brien's charge went off 4/6 favourite on the back of a maiden victory at Killarney and a Group Three success in Leopardstown last month.

The 112-rated colt was ridden to take over from stablemate Christmas approaching the final furlong and was kept up to his work to score snugly by half a length.

He led home a Ballydoyle 1-2-3 as Christmas followed him at 13/2. Mohawk was two and a quarter lengths away in third.

Aidan O'Brien said: “I'm delighted. They needed to learn a little bit today and that's why they swung along there. You'd have to be very happy.

“The last day was his first time back to seven. He gets a little bit lazy in the middle of the race, but gets there, and he was doing it well again in the last furlong.

“I would imagine that they'll all probably come back here for the National Stakes.

“I'd say he'll get a mile well, we always viewed him as a horse that would get middle distances next season.

“He had a tough enough race today as they went all the way.”

This gave O'Brien and Moore a double on the card as they teamed up with Lost Treasure in the second race.

Paddy Power cut Anthony Van Dyck from 12/1 to 10/1 for the 2,000 Guineas and made him 10/1 favourite (from 16/1) for the Derby.

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Huge thanks to @bohual for the pictures

Lost Treasure just gets up in the final strides to break his maiden tag at The Curragh

Lost Treasure finished with a powerful late surge to get up and deprive Ajmera in the Gabriel Curran Memorial Maiden at the Curragh.< Ajmera went for home in the final furlong and looked to have his rivals cooked butLost Treasure really found his stride in the final 50 yards under Ryan Moore to flash home by a head at 5/1.

Runner-up Ajmera was a 7/1 chance (from 10s) with 25/1 shot Hot Stone a further three parts of a length away in third.

Jim Bolger's newcomer, Venetian Rock, was all the rage for this six-furlong contest with a Group Three entry in his locker.

However, the even-money favourite came under pressure over a furlong out and couldn't go with the leaders as he finished seventh.

“You'd be delighted with that. He had a run last year, we were afraid of the ground and he was just ready to start,” Aidan O'Brien said.

“Ryan was happy with him, he just said he was very green when he got there and probably doesn't know an awful lot yet.

“We might go back for a handicap with him. He shouldn't be highly rated off that.

“He's a very well-bred horse, if you got him on the right road you wouldn't know what he'd turn in to.”

Huge thanks to @bohual for the pictures

Donnacha gets Full Moon up in the final strides to win At The Curragh a 4th winner for Ballydoyle

Full Moon completed a four-timer at the Curragh for Aidan & Donnacha O'Brien, as he took the concluding Kildare Under 20s "All Ireland Football Champions" Handicap.

Successful earlier with Mount Everest, Ten Sovereigns, and Flag Of Honour, this O'Brien representative was sent off at 8/1.

Settled towards rear in the centre of the track, the bay victor made progress from the two furlong pole, and burst through to lead on the far side inside the final 100 yards, going on to score by a length.

The 4/1 favourite St Brelades Bay (backed from 11/2) dead-heated for second with 9/1 chance Stormy Belle.

"He's an unbelievable worker and always was," Aidan O'Brien said.

"He came travelling there nicely and maybe the seven furlongs on nice ground made a difference.

"He had some good runs. He won nicely in the end. We could run him in a handicap on champions weekend and hopefully it would still be a nice bit of ground for him then."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

Gutsy Flag Of Honour makes all to win the Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (Group 3) At The Curragh

Flag Of Honour completed a treble at the Curragh for Aidan and Donnacha O'Brien, as he made all in the feature race, the Group 3 Comer Group Irish St Leger Trial Stakes.

Successful in the Curragh Cup over the course and distance last month, the son of Galileo was well-fancied to follow-up this afternoon, going off the 9/4 favourite (from 3s on-course).

Sent straight to the front, the bay colt was strongly pressed from two furlongs out by Twilight Payment, but he responded well to pressure, going on to see off that rival by a neck.

The runner-up was returned at 11/2 under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger, while Giuseppe Garibaldi (7/1) was another length and a half back in third.

Aidan O'Brien, who has now won this race for the last five years in-a-row, said: "He's a hardy horse and he'll handle an ease in the ground too.

"He'll be happy whenever he gets a lead too. He's just a little bit lazy in front.

"They are all Leger horses that ran here and in York. We will divide up where they are going to go.

"This horse will handle an ease in the ground so if it gets soft in either place he'll be happy to go there, even though he handles good ground as well.

"Seamus' horse (Southern France) will come on a lot from the run. Michael was delighted with his horse (Giuseppe Garibaldi). He said he'd be way better with a better pace, he said he was very keen and said that for a horse that ran that keen he ran an unbelievable race."

On Order Of St George, O'Brien added: "He's grand. He has a lot of miles on him and we are minding him away.

"He had a tough middle part of the season and I'm just hoping that we get back to the Leger with him.

"He's at the stage now that we won't be taking any chances with him because every national hunt person in the country is looking for him.

"I'm hoping to get him back for the Leger. I just have to mind him and that's why we didn't come here this year.

"There are plenty of other fellas there if we're not really happy with him."

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Huge thanks to @bohual for the pictures

Ten Sovereigns destroys his rivals to win on debut at the Curragh

Newcomer Ten Sovereigns blitzed his rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, completing a quick double for Aidan and Donnacha O'Brien (successful in the opener with Mount Everest).

Bought from Camas Park Stud for 200,000 guineas at Tattersalls last October, the son of No Nay Never opened on-course at 6/1 this afternoon, before going off a 5/1 chance.

Settled behind the leaders in the far side group, the bay victor was pushed along to lead over a furlong out, and soon powered clear, going on to score impressively by seven lengths.

Carbon Fibre finished second at 9/1 under Gary Halpin for Michael O'Callaghan, while Life Mission (7/1) was another half a length back in third.

The 4/1 favourite Rita Levi finished fourth.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "You'd be delighted with him. He looks a very nice horse.

"He was working like a nice horse but usually ours all get beat first time. Obviously he's very nice and that's the bottom line. He's a big powerful horse as well.

The winner holds Group 1 entries in the Middle Park, National Stakes and Dewhurst and O'Brien added: "He'd need another run anyway before he'd step up. You'd like to go somewhere with him if you could.

"It's hard what he did there. He came up the middle by himself and he kept going away to the line. That's a hard thing to do here.

"Donnacha was very impressed by him. Seamus (Heffernan) rides him all the time and he thought he was good."

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Huge thanks to @bohual for the pictures

Mount Everest a maiden no more

Mount Everest made the breakthrough on his third start, as he took the opener at the Curragh this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Sixth on debut, the Aidan O'Brien trained colt was surprisingly beaten into second on his most recent start at Cork when sent off at 4/9.

Returned a well-supported 6/4 chance today, the son of Galileo raced toward the head of affairs throughout.

He had a good battle with Yonkers from over a furlong out, getting on top in the closing stages before going on to score by a length and a quarter.

The aforementioned Yonkers (5/1) had to settle for second under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons, while Gee Rex (5/1) was another five lengths back in third.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "I'm delighted with that. We were surprised how green he was the last day in Cork but that can happen sometimes with ours even though he had a run. He was just very at sea.

"He was still very babyish today. We think he is going to be a lovely colt in time but he's still growing up.

"He has a big massive engine, he was half-speeding really. He's after having three runs and we forced him now as he knows plenty now.

"It depends on what happens after this. We'd be thinking of something like the Beresford if he goes again.

"I think he's just more babyish than wanting a trip. He's just going through the motions."

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Huge thanks to @bohual for the pictures

Former Ballydoyle resident The Taj Mahal unplaced in the 8.20am Handicap at Moonee Valley but finished very strongly in a blanket finish he had to go down the far wide outside which did not help his cause was a good comeback run.

Great Australian debut for former Ballydoyle resident Venice Beach (Now Our Venice Beach) who was a close up 2nd in the 6:25am Handicap at Moonee Valley Ben gave him a great ride a run full of promise.

Aidan O'Brien's 340 Individual Group Race Winners - Fairyland the 340th

Aidan "This is the worst bug we have ever experienced at Ballydoyle"

August 23rd

It’s the worst we’ve had of this at Ballydoyle but we’re not complaining because it happens to everybody. It can travel in the air so if one sneezes it can travel 100 yards in the air to others. That’s just the way it is and it’s just something that everybody has to deal with.

The horses aren’t where they’d normally be at this time of the year but we’re not panicking and there’s plenty of time yet – the year’s not over at all."

You have to have patience and you have to take it race-by-race, horse-by-horse. Some can keep going all the way through it so don’t lose as much fitness and others you just have to be patient and wait. And then when you’re easy on them they’re obviously not going to come back at fit.

Fortunately the lads are very patient and there’s never been any pressure to get the horses running before they’re ready.

the important thing is that they don’t relapse. [Saxon Warrior] was thick enough [in his wind] after the Eclipse and he’ll have improved again for that run yesterday. The thing with these colts is that you have to be running in these races and you need it to bring them on too.”

Fantastic Fairyland gets back up to win the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Group 2) At York

Fairyland and The Mackem Bullet do battle in the Sky Bet Lowther

Fairyland just denied The Mackem Bullet on the line in a thrilling finish to the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York.

The pair fought out a terrific duel in the final furlong with Brian Ellison's 25-1 outsider The Mackem Bullet looking as though she might just win the battle.

However, Fairyland (6-4 favourite), who had been up front throughout battled on bravely for Ryan Moore and got the verdict by a nose. Queen Jo Jo was two lengths away in third place.

The disappointment of the Group Two heat was Angel's Hideaway, who faded out of contention after being short of room when the race hotted up in the final quarter-mile.

O'Brien said: "We were very happy with her at Ascot (third in Albany Stakes), but she was under the weather in between. I'm delighted with her. She did get headed so it was great to see her battle back. Ryan said she had a blow two (furlongs) out, which was understandable. She's a lovely filly and that (Cheveley Park) is the way we'll be heading. I would imagine usually if they are good enough they'd get a mile, and she's a big, rangy filly - she looks more like a three-year-old than a two-year-old."

O'Brien also commented further on the virus that has afflicted his yard in recent weeks.

He said: "It was in all of our three yards. It was as bad as we've had at Ballydoyle. I think we're at the other side of it now, though, and the year is not over yet, but if there is a relapse the season is over."

Pictures from Clare Breadin

I Can Fly storms home in Ruby Stakes

©Healy Racing Photos

It's not going their way over at York but Ballydoyle landed the Listed Racing Post Vincent O'Brien Ruby Stakes at Killarney in style with I Can Fly (2/1 favourite).

Winning jockey Seamie Heffernan revealed in the aftermath that he has big regard for this Fastnet Rock filly, and it was easy to see why after her demolition of six rivals.

The three-year-old got a patient steer from Heffernan, coming through with her effort up the centre in the straight.

Leading under two furlongs out, I Can Fly was quickly gone beyond recall. She eventually accounted for the staying-on Rionach by three and a quarter lengths.

"I rated her very highly and she disappointed twice. She came out of the Oaks a little worse than we expected and there were a few of them coming out of the race worse than we expected," said Heffernan.

"The season doesn't wait for anyone and if we keep running them the odd one will win and get placed but I don't think they're fully firing. She has outclassed them today but is a hell of a lot better.

"I fancied her for the Guineas in May so we'll see. I had loads of confidence going out (today) but had plenty confidence going to the start in the Guineas in May but it didn't happen. I was confident in May and hopefully she can pull it together now."

Aidan Relies on Fairyland for Lowther

August 21st

Aidan O’Brien’s Fairyland, who looked every inch a top-class prospect after winning her first two starts before finishing third in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot will run in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York on Thursday. The daughter of Kodiac makes her first appearance since Royal Ascot.

Magic Wand Spearheads Ballydoyle Yorkshire Oaks Team

August 21st

An eight-strong field, will go to post in the Thursdays Yorkshire Oaks with Aidan O’Brien responsible for three of the runners but Epsom Oaks winner Forever Together will not be running. Ballydoyle will be represented by Riblesdale Stakes winner Magic Wand Bye Bye Baby & Flattering

Ballydoyle Duo Seahenge (Sword Dancer) & Mendelssohn (Travers) set for USA Missions

August 21st

Seahenge, trained by Aidan O'Brien, was under consideration for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers along with stablemate Mendelssohn, but has been redirected to the Grade 1, $1 million Sword Dancer, according to the NYRA Racing Office.

For 3-year-olds and up at 1 ½ miles on the inner turf, the Sword Dancer will be part of the Travers Day undercard and is a "Win and You're In" event for the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf, which will run Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

It was also announced Ryan Moore will ride Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and Group 2 UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn in the Travers.

Both sired by Scat Daddy, Seahenge and Mendelssohn came stateside for Kentucky Derby weekend at Churchill Downs and the Stars and Stripes Festival at Belmont Park.

Mendelssohn ran last in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and improved to third in the Grade 3 Dwyer at Belmont, both times with Moore in the irons.

Seahenge, a Group 2 winner in England, ran seventh in the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile and fifth in the Dwyer. The Sword Dancer will mark his return to turf.

Entries for the Travers will be taken Tuesday. The post position draw will begin at 6 p.m. ET. Entries for the rest of the Travers Day card will be taken on Wednesday.

British Flat Trainers Championship Updated

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Leading Sires GB & IRE Tables Updated - Galileo Passes 4 million - Camelot & No Nay Never in control of their diviisions Excelebration in top 10

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Kew Gardens due to run in the Great Voltigeur Stakes

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There will be St Leger clues aplenty in a strong-looking nine-runner Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday.

Aidan O’Brien runs Kew Gardens, a Group One winner in France, for which he carries a penalty. He has already won at Royal Ascot over the St Leger trip.

O’Brien’s four-strong team is completed by Nelson, The Pentagon and Zabriskie.

Mendelssohn all set for the Travers

18.08

European champion trainer Aidan O'Brien is expected to be represented by Mendelssohn and Seahenge in next Saturday's Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga. The pair are expected to arrive at Saratoga on Tuesday.

Mendelssohn was a dominant 18 ½-length winner of the UAE Derby in March before easing to a last-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Last out, he appeared in July on Belmont Park's Stars & Stripes card, finishing third in the Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes as the favorite.

Connections have said they're pointing Mendelssohn to the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. Until Friday's news, it was expected we'd see him next in the U.S. in the Sept. 22 Pennsylvania Derby, another lucrative Grade 1 race. Seahenge, fifth in the UAE Derby, made his U.S. debut with a seventh-place finish in the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby under card. Both 3-year-old Scat Daddy colts are exiting the Grade 3 Dwyer on July 7 at Belmont Park, where they finished third and fifth, respectively.

Royal Navy Warship sinks the opposition

17.08

Aidan O'Brien's Royal Navy Warship drifted all day in the market but punters got it wrong as he finished best of all in Division One of the six furlong handicap at Dundalk.

He came off the bridle entering the straight but made headway in the final quarter of a mile.

He was ridden a furlong out and edged right but once Donnacha O'Brien switched the stick into his right hand his mount surged forward and mowed down My Good Brother in the closing stages.

The winning margin was three parts of a length for the 3/1 favourite (from a morning price of 6/4). My Good Brother had to settle for second at 10/1. Liz Doyle's My Lark was three lengths further back third at 40/1.

Donnacha O’Brien said: “He was less exposed than most in that race, travelled away well and has done it nicely.

"I got a grand toe into the race, followed Colin (Keane, on My Good Brother) and it all worked out well.” Royal Navy Warship got off the mark on his fourth racecourse start. This was his first race back since finishing fifth as a juvenile at Navan in October.

Aidan's possibles for the Lowther stakes at York

17.08

Aidan O’Brien has six possibles in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes as he attempts to win the Group Two for juvenile fillies at York on Thursday.

The Ballydoyle handler has left in Coral Beach, Fantasy, Fairyland, Gossamer Wings, Just Wonderful and So Perfect among a total of 24 standing their ground at the confirmation stage.

Pick of his sextet could be Fairyland, who was last seen finishing third to Main Edition in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, and So Perfect.

She gave Advertise a run for his money when going down by just half a length to Martyn Meade’s colt in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last weekend.

Gustav Klimt lines up in the Hungerford stakes

17.08

Gustav Klimt drops back to Group Two company as he bids to get trainer Aidan O’Brien back among the winners in Saturday’s Ladyswood Stud Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

The Ballydoyle handler has made no secret of the fact his yard has been under a bit of a cloud over the last month, but nevertheless Gustav Klimt turned in a creditable effort when fourth in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood at the beginning of August.

That was the colt’s fourth successive start at Group One level, having been placed in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes and Prix Jean Prat previously, and he leads the way for Ryan Moore on the ratings.

Amedeo Modigliani on the way back

©Healy Racing Photos

Aidan O’Brien is looking forward to seeing Amedeo Modigliani make his return from injury in the near future.

The son of Galileo finished third behind esteemed stablemate Gustav Klimt on his racecourse debut at the Curragh last July, but has not been seen in competitive action since running out an impressive winner at the Galway Festival the following month.

He holds entries in next week’s Great Voltigeur at York and the Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh on August 26, while looking further ahead his options include the St Leger, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

O’Brien said: “He’s in good shape and he’s nearly ready to go. Hopefully he’s going to stay in training next year as he’s missed the whole season.

“He’s a Galileo that shows a lot of speed at home. We might start him over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh and go from there.

“He’s going to be an exciting type of horse, we think. He had a setback and we’re lucky to have him back.

“He’s a very strong traveller in his work, he works like a miler, but we always thought he would stay.

“He’s going be interesting and it will be exciting to see what happens when he does start back.”

Hermosa & Van Dyck set to take leading roles in juvenile Group Ones

August 15

Aidan O'Brien is looking to run Hermosa during Irish Champions Weekend following her victory at Galway.

The daughter of Galileo stepped up on her debut run at the Curragh to open her account in a 13-runner maiden over seven furlong.

"Hermosa, who won in Galway, is probably one for Champions Weekend," said O’Brien.

"She had the benefit of a run then and even though she had a decent draw she was a little bit slow away. Donnacha did well to get her organised in the dip and she came home very well.

"She looks like she’s a nice filly."

Anthony Van Dyck could book his place in next month Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh when he lines up for the Galileo Irish EBF Futurity Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday week.

The promising two-year-old colt had won his maiden over a mile at Killarney but took the drop back to seven furlongs in his stride as he landed the Group Three Tyros Stakes in impressive fashion at Leopardstown last month.

"We ran him in the Tyros thinking that he’d maybe have to go up to a mile,” said O’Brien.

"In the Tyros he looked like he’d be very happy and comfortable to stay at seven.

"He might go to the Futurity with a view to going to the National Stakes.

"We’ll see how he goes over the next couple of weeks. What we saw we were very happy with even though we thought he would be a middle-distance horse next year.

"Looking at him in the Tyros, he could be very comfortable starting at a mile next year."

Clemmie V Alpha Centauri

15.08

One-time 1000 Guineas favourite Clemmie will have another crack at Alpha Centauri in the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

A setback in the spring has hampered Clemmie’s season but Aidan O’Brien’s filly has been improving with each run.

“Clemmie is our main one for the Matron. She ran a nice race first time back and then improved to her next one,” said O’Brien.

“The plan is to go straight to Leopardstown with her. Hopefully the ground will be good and she’s in good form.”

Order Of St George is on course to bid for a third Comer Group International Irish St Leger.

“He’s in good form, he’s very well. Obviously he’s a year older,” the Ballydoyle handler said at the launch of Irish Champions Weekend.

“He ran in Ascot and he was a little bit laboured (fourth in the Gold Cup), maybe he was just minding himself on the fast ground a little bit.

“He seems to be in good form since and we’re looking forward to the race with him.

“We don’t like to ever lean on him too hard until the autumn and obviously we’re coming into now. He’s in good shape.”

Sergei Prokofiev ran keenly in the Phoenix Stakes on Sunday and now has the Middle Park at Newmarket as his aim.

“We’re going to go gentle with him now and see what happens with a view to maybe going for the Middle Park if he’s OK again at that time,” said O’Brien.

“If he was run again this year that would be where. Either that or he might not run anymore this year. We’ll see over the next few weeks.”

It has been a rare testing time for O’Brien, who has made no secret there has been a bug in the stable.

“It went through the whole yard and all the horses got it,” he said.

“We hadn’t leaned on any of the horses up until last weekend and we thought if we got through last weekend we might be able to start leaning on them a little bit more.

“A little bit of a problem is that when you do go chasing them you don’t want them to relapse because if they do the season is over.

“They seem to be in good form and the next big week for us will be York. That will be interesting and we’re happy with where they are at the moment and the horses that ran last weekend all seem to be fine.

Aidan Update on some of his stable Stars & Targets

15 August

Team For France this weekend "Land Force, will run in the Prix Morny, with Rhododendron a possible for the Prix Jean Romanet".

Yorkshire Oaks team "The Epsom Oaks winner Forever Together will likely be joined by Magic Wand & Bye Bye Baby in the Yorkshire Oaks."

Saxon Warrior (Juddmonte International) "It was a huge ask running him in the Eclipse only a week after running in the Irish Derby [in which he finished third]. We've been kind to him since and doing things very gently. He's been coming along nicely."

Kew Gardens The Pentagon & Flag Of Honour (Great Voltigeur) "Kew Gardens will run in the Great Voltigeur. He had to miss the King George when he didn't scope 100 per cent clean and he had a quiet time around then But he's back going nicely and we're looking forward to running him. The Pentagon and Flag Of Honour will probably join him in the same race."

Sioux Nation (Nunthorpe Stakes) "York is meeting we've always liked and we'll be sending a nice team over next week Sioux Nation is likely to run in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes,

Aidan receives Royal College Award

The Royal College of Surgeons have honoured the impact on global horse racing by the Magnier family and Aidan O'Brien.

Very Well Deserved.

Aidan's possibles for the Hungerford stakes

13.08

Aidan O’Brien has left in three possibles as he seeks to win the Hungerford Stakes for the first time at Newbury on Saturday.

The Ballydoyle trainer has confirmed Gustav Klimt, the Irish 2000 Guineas third and fourth in the Sussex Stakes on his latest start, as well as Fleet Review and St Patrick’s Day at the five-day stage of the Group Two contest.

Sizzling too strong in Give Thanks Stakes (Group 3)

Sizzling Became Galileo's 182nd individual Group race winner when the 3YO filly won the Give Thanks stakes at Cork it also bought up AIdan's 200th home Group 3 success.

Aidan Said "Seamus gave her great ride. He was very committed on her, and at halfway he said come on. She’s a hardy, tough filly. She's been trying to win a Group race for a good while and has been placed in a good few."

Classy Zagitova puts rivals to the sword in Cork Maiden

Those who played the short odds on Zagitova in the opener at Cork never had a moment's worry as she readily drew clear under Donnacha O'Brien.

The Galileo filly, who cost 1.6 million Guineas as a yearling finished second on debut at Newmarket last month and the market expected her to oblige as she went off at 3/10.

She broke smartly in tandem with Bandiuc Eile and soon grabbed the lead.

She travelled sweetly into the straight and was then pushed along to assert from Bandiuc Eile over a furlong out.

O'Brien didn't have to get serious with her in the final furlong as she bounded away to easily score by four and a half lengths.

Bandiuc Eile finished second at 7/1 with For Your Eyes making late headway for third also at 7/1.

Aidan O'Brien said: “It was a nice experience for her going around a right-hand bend. She had a nice run the first day and showed the benefit of it.

"It was nice to get the maiden into her. She’s in all the races and the Debutante is probably where she will go next.”

Former Ballydoyle Resident The Statesman (Zoffany) wins the 6.15 VRC Handicap at Flemington Australia Sir Edwin Landseer was unplaced

Former Ballydoyle Residents in action - Kilimanjaro was a solid 3rd in the 3.15 am VRC Member Maureen O’Connell Handicap at Flemington Australia Crocodile Rock was unplaced

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It's Christmas Day at Tipperary as Galileo colt takes Listed contest

Christmas battled back gamely to take the feature at Tipperary this evening, the Listed Coolmore Caravaggio Stakes.

Successful on his third start at Roscommon last month, the Aidan O'Brien trained son of Galileo went off a 5/2 joint-favourite this evening.

Sent straight to the front by Donnacha O'Brien (completing a double after taking the opener on Tenax), the bay colt was ridden two furlongs out, and was soon joined by fellow market leader Highland Fortune.

That Fozzy Stack trained colt was ridden and briefly led from the furlong pole, however Christmas battled back to regain the lead inside the final 100 yards, going on to score by a neck.

Billy Lee was aboard the runner-up, while his stable mate Wargrave was another length back in third under Chris Hayes.

The winning trainer, who was taking this race for the third year in-a-row, said afterwards: "We were delighted because they all got a little sick and he was just ready to start back. He probably got a bit tired and there probably will be plenty improvement in him.

"What you'd like about him is he put his head down and will turn into a lovely horse. He stays well and he stuck his head down."

O'Brien added: "Sergei Prokofiev (runs at the Curragh on Sunda) is well and is ready to start back again. I'm happy with him and looking forward to seeing Sergei again.

"They were all under a cloud and there was no horse wasn't. It went through the whole place and I think there wasn't one that missed it. We kept going but were gentle away through it and then we needed to get them back and started again so that's the stage we're at now."

Prokofiev spearheads Ballydoyle quartet in Phoenix Stakes

10 August

Sergei Prokofiev heads Aidan O’Brien’s four-strong team as the Ballydoyle trainer goes for 17th win in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Scat Daddy colt was last seen finishing third to Calyx in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot on his latest start and will attempt to win for a third time from five starts.

O’Brien also saddles The Irish Rover, Gossamer Wings and So Perfect after cutting his team down from 10 at the confirmation stage.

Former Ballydoyle Residents who have entries in Australia over the next few weeks as Exemplar Douglas MacArthur Orderofthegarter Venice Beach Sir John Lavery set for Australian Debuts

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Yucatan Primed for Ballyroan

8th August

Yucatan bids to extend Aidan O'Brien’s excellent recent record in the GRENKE Finance Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

The Ballydoyle handler has saddled four of the last five winners of the Group Three contest and Yucatan appears the one to beat, despite having to concede weight to each of his three rivals.

A son of Galileo out of the great racemare Six Perfections, it is fair to say the four-year-old has not quite lived up to his regal breeding.

However, he ended a two-year winless spell when landing the International Stakes at the Curragh last month and perhaps that triumph will give him the confidence he needs heading into the second half of the season.

Aidan Outlines Order Of St George plans

8th August

Order Of St George could bid for back-to-back victories in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

The six-year-old was a narrow winner of the 500,000 pound Group Two last season and features among 56 entries for this year’s renewal.

Order Of St George was last seen finishing fourth behind the season’s star stayer Stradivarius in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the pair could renew rivalries on Qipco British Champions Day on October 20.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “It was always the plan to give him a break after Ascot, just as we did last year.

“We could have run in the Goodwood Cup, but he’ll now go for a prep for the Irish Leger and then try to win the Irish Leger for a third time. He’s fresh and well and in good form.

“After that, he could well repeat the same pattern as last year and go for the Arc on the way to Ascot, although we’d have to look at that nearer the time.

“Certainly, the Long Distance Cup does look like it could be a target for him again after he won it last season.”

O’Brien has 14 entries, including a number of exciting three-year-olds such as Hunting Horn and Kew Gardens, who took the Hampton Court Stakes and Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot respectively. The latter went on to take the Group One Grand Prix de Paris.

Ballydoyle runners & riders & draw Arlington Park Saturday

Deauville (Ryan) Drawn 9 - Arlington Million

Athena (Ryan) Drawn 9 - Beverley D Stakes

Hunting Horn (Ryan) Drawn 13 & Lucius Tiberius Drawn 12 (Heff) - Secretariat Stakes

Our 14th Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 13 Ballydoyle Residents in the rankings.

Huge thanks to Timeform - website

> https://www.timeform.com

Leading Sires GB & IRE Tables Updated

British Flat Trainers Championship Updated

Galileo Year By Year Stats Updated

A.P.O'Brien Season Earnings Updated

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

10 Ballydoyle juveniles entered in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes as Aidan targets historic G1 landmark

August 7th

Aidan is on the brink of creating another piece of racing history on Sunday at the Curragh as he attempts to win the Group 1 Phoenix stakes for a landmark 17th time. He jointly holds the record of 16 Group 1 wins in the same G1 race with John Scott who won the St.Leger between 1827 & 1862. Should he train the winner of the race on Sunday he will add to his already impressive world record haul of achievements which last year included 28 Group/Grade 1 victories.

Aidan continues to set very high standards year on year and these are records which may never be broken.

Aidan is responsible for 10 of the 14 juveniles confirmed for the Group One contest,

The Ballydoyle squad is headed by Sergei Prokofiev, while his other potential runners include Albany Stakes third Fairyland, Richmond Stakes scorer Land Force and So Perfect, who won the Grangecon Stud Stakes over this course and distance.

Fantasy Gossamer Wings Just Wonderful North Wind The Irish Rover & Van Beethoven are the remaining 6.

Astronomer brings up Ballydoyle's ton for the season

Astronomer finished off strongly to give Aidan and Donnacha O'Brien a quick-fire double in Galway.

Quinns Red Rose had poached the rail from stall one and held the lead in the home straight from Fridtjof Nansen in this extended mile maiden.

The pair were battling away entering the final furlong butAstronomer hit his straps from third to power home and pick them up in the closing stages.

The 5/2 shot got up by three parts of a length fromp>Quinns Red Rose (7/1 from 10/1). Fridtjof Nansen (16/1) took credit from a third place from stall 16. He was beaten a length and a quarter by the winner.

Donnacha O'Brien said: "It wasn't ideal (dropping in trip) but the race came up and he showed his stamina in the final furlong.

"I had a grand position once I got out and once I got a few belts into him, and I thought I'd always get there.

"He probably wants further but with the bit of soft ground he got away with the mile today."

Astronomers win bought up Aidan O'Brien's 100th victory of the season

Broome off the mark at Galway and becomes The Heir Apparent's 4th first crop race winner

Broome made all under Donnacha O'Brien to get favourite backers off to a flyer in the opening juvenile maiden on the penultimate day of the Galway Festival.

The son of Australia bounced away smartly and dictated throughout. He was challenged in the final furlong by Lightning Amber (2/1) but readily found more to hold him by a length and a half at 4/5.

Donnacha O'Brien said: "He had a nice run the last day and was still quite green and raw again today but has plenty of ability.

"It's not ideal making the running on a horse that green but with those small fields nobody else was going to go, so I said I'd go myself. This is a nice horse and there is plenty of improvement in him."

This was Broome's second start having finished fifth on debut at Killarney last month.

Aidan O'Brien won this race for the fourth year in a row following on from Amedeo Modigliani last year, subsequent Irish Derby winner Capri in 2016 and Landofhopeandglory in 2015.

Ballydoyle trio Targeting French Glory

04.08

Aidan O’Brien isis triple-handed in pursuit of a ninth top-flight prize of 2018 at Deauville on Sunday.

The Ballydoyle trio of Fleet Review (Ryan Moore, ) Actress (Wayne Lordan) and Intelligence Cross (Pádraig Beggy) are among a massive field of 20 for the Prix Maurice de Gheest due off at 2.35 Irish-time.

O’Brien has won the prestigious six-and-a-half furlong contest just once before with King Charlemagne in 2001 and his prime hope now looks to be the three-year-old Fleet Review.

In profile terms he has never figured among the top-rank of his generation at Ballydoyle but added to a second in last year’s Middle Park Stakes by running third to US Navy Flag in the July Cup last time.

That puts Fleet Review among the leading three year old contenders along with the prime local hope Wootton who drops back from a mile after finishing third in Royal Ascot’s St James’s Palace Stakes.

The big Irish contender has three parts of a length to make up on Brando from that July Cup as O’Brien focuses on a potential seventh Group One of his career at the renowned Normandy track. The last of them was Roly Poly in last year’s Prix Rothschild.

Shortly after the big race in France, O’Brien has two hopefuls in the final big race pot of this year’s Galway festival, the €100,000 Ahonoora Handicap.

His son Donnacha will be near his lightest weight for Bond Street who tries to go one better than when a fast finishing runner-up to Riven Light in Tuesday’s mile feature. Seamus Heffernan is on another three year old in the race, Full Moon.

Gutsy Land Force give AIdan a second Richmond Stakes Victory

Aidan O’Brien scored his first winner of the week at Goodwood as Land Force lifted the Qatar Richmond Stakes.

The Ballydoyle handler has made no secret of the fact his yard is not quite firing on all cylinders at present, but Land Force was nevertheless well supported for this Group Two heat, being sent off the 5-2 favourite under Ryan Moore.

A son of No Nay Never, Land Force raced prominently enough as Konchek helped force the early pace and Moore was left in front with a couple of furlongs to run, but the challengers would not go away.

He appeared to hit a bit of a flat spot inside the distance, but as Marie’s Diamond came up to his quarters, Land Force found a little extra to come home a length clear. Anglesey Stakes winner Marie’s Diamond, who was led out unsold at £675,000 at the Goodwood Sale on Wednesday evening, clung on to minor honours by a neck from Shine So Bright.

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Our 13th Rankings/Ratings supplement of the season is here - Timeform Global Rankings European Division Ballydoyle Spotlight & News - A total of 14 Ballydoyle Residents in the rankings.

Huge thanks to Timeform - website

> https://www.timeform.com

Flattering bids to bounce back at Goodwood

Image result for flattering munster oaks

1 August

Flattering will try to bounce back from a lacklustre effort last time as she lines up in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge finished fifth in the Oaks at Epsom before landing the Munster Oaks back in June, but she disappointed when beating only one home in the Lancashire Oaks last time.

August start

Potential future runners

Amadeo Modigliani in the Royal Whip Stakes at the end of August - Mendelssohn could run in the Travers on 25th August. Deauville could run in the Arlington Million Hunting Horn and Lucius Tiberius in the Secretariat Stakes & Happily possible for The Beverly D stakes