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New Year, New Challenges For Joseph O’Brien

Joseph provides an update on some of the Ballydoyle stars

Joseph-O'Brien

2016 looks like being a different year for former Irish champion jockey Joseph O’Brien. If all goes to plan he hopes to be granted a trainer’s license within the first few months of the year, a move which will then see the twenty two-year-old saddle predominantly national hunt horses from the family’s yard in Pilltown, Co. Kilkenny. He has already sent out his first winner as a point to point trainer(for which you do not require a Turf Club license) and O’Brien can look forward to unleashing a number of well bred young jumpers, many of them owned by JP McManus throughout the year. Reflecting on a riding career that yielded stellar results in just a few seasons, O’Brien said, “I was so lucky to get to ride some of the great horses that I got to ride and I always knew that I’d never be able to ride forever. I didn’t eat much and was always sweating but jockeys the world over do that and I wasn’t any different to them, really.”

O’Brien has not however turned his back in anyway on proceedings further south in Ballydoyle and he gave a glowing report on some of the well known stars trained by his father Aidan. The horse many fans are looking forward to seeing most in 2016 is undoubtedly triple Group 1 winning 2-year-old Air Force Blue (War Front). Last seen romping to victory in the G1 Dewhurst S. at Newmarket in October, Joseph O’Brien reports the colt to have wintered well. “He’s turned into a huge, big monster of a horse. He’s done really well and he’s a very exciting horse for next season. The G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket is the plan.” Reflecting on his juvenile year in which he tasted defeat only once when beaten by Buratino (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) in the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot, O’Brien added, “Air Force Blue never looked like he was going to be a 2-year-old as he’s such a big horse, but he just got better and better all year. He always worked well and really improved when he got to the track. He has a lot of speed and class.”

With Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {GB}) having broken the recent Coolmore/Ballydoyle stranglehold on the G1 Epsom Derby, the Ballydoyle team will be keen to resume normal service in 2016 and Joseph O’Brien nominated a few of the likelier Ballydoyle candidates for the Epsom Classic. “With regards to the Derby, we’ve a number of nice colts that all ran very well in big races. There’s Johannes Vermeer (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who won the G1 Criterium International in France and we’ve a horse out of Remember When (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Beacon Rock (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who ran very well a couple of times.” O’Brien also gave favorable mention to a few unexposed colts but intends to keep readers guessing a while longer as to their identity. “We also have several nice Galileo (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) colts that haven’t run and we’ve a nice horse that was just beaten in a maiden at Leopardstown towards the end of the season. So we have some nice horses that may be a little bit under the radar hopefully. Galileo is probably the best sire ever and you could never have enough of them.”

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Best Kept Secret (Orange Colours Below) Ran very well on Hurdling debut at Punchestown finishing 2nd King of Aragon made a few mistakes and finished 4th he needs better ground.

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Racing Post & Timeform expecting King of Aragon to get off to a flying start to his jumps career

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Aragon Set For Debut

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Joseph to concentrate on Training Plans

Joseph O'Brien reiterated his intention to scale back his riding commitments in the likelihood of gaining a trainer's licence in the spring.

The dual Irish champion jockey does not yet have an official training licence for runners under Rules, but he did saddle his first point-to-point winner at the start of November.

He was also credited by his father, Aidan, for preparing Ivanovich Gorbatov ahead of his impressive hurdling debut at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Joseph O'Brien said: "I probably won't be riding a whole lot - maybe the odd heavyweight - but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

"I have to do the trainers' course in March or April, or whenever it comes up, and from there then I'll have my trainer's licence.

"I was so lucky to get to ride some of the great horses that I got to ride and I always knew that'd I'd never be able to ride forever.

"I didn't eat much and was always sweating but jockeys the world over do that and I wasn't any different to them, really."

On Ivanovich Gorbatov, O'Brien said: "He is a very nice horse who had schooled nicely at home before Leopardstown and had some good form on the Flat, being rated 106.

"We were a little bit worried about the ground he jumped very well and he seemed to cope with it quite well - h e's got gears."

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Ivanovich Gorbatov hugely impressive on Hurdling debut i had a feeling he had it won half way Barry looked ultra confident so impressive

Ivanovich Gorbatov New 10/1 Fav with most for the Triumph Hurdle 14s still available Hope some of you took the 25s a while back

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Ivanovich Gorbatov draws ahead in Foxrock

By Michael Graham

Sun 27th Dec 2015, 12:52

Ivanovich Gorbatov, left, delivers his challenge to Let's Dance
(Healy Racing Photos)

Ivanovich Gorbatov made an impressive transition to the jumping game when readily delivering in the two mile maiden hurdle for three-year-olds at Leopardstown.

Aidan O'Brien's Montjeu gelding attained a mark of 105 on the level on the back of a Navan maiden success and a victory in a handicap at this track in May and August respectively.

He cruised into contention to join the leader Newberry New after the second last but had 4/7 favourite Let's Dance for company. The pair soon went on as Newberry Newweakened out of contention.

The well-backed Let's Dance held a narrow advantage jumping the last butIvanovich Gorbatov was going the better of the pair.

On the run-in, Barry Geraghty pushed him out to lead and he went on by two and a quarter lengths to score at Burlington Bertie 100/30.

Lagostovegas (9/1) was seven lengths adrift of runner-up Let's Dance.

Aidan O'Brien said: "Really you should be talking to Joseph as he has done all the work with this horse. He's always been a natural jumper. He handled the ground but you would imagine that he will be a horse that will appreciate much better ground.

"Joseph missed doing the latest training course as he was away at the Breeders Cup but he will be doing the next one that comes up."

Paddy Power gave Ivanovich Gorbatov a first show of 14/1 co favourite for the Triumph Hurdle and left Let's Dance unchanged at 16/1. Betfair also go 14/1 for the Triumph.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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Barry's Thoughts on Ballydoyle Rides at Leopardstown today

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Ivanovich Gorbatov makes his hurdling debut today

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5 Winners for 2016

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Tom O’Ryan’s review of the year 2015 - Ballydoyle Spotlight

Tom O’Ryan’s review of the year 2015 - Ballydoyle Spotlight from Aidan O'Brien on Vimeo.

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Douvan (Ruby Walsh) wins the 2m 1f beginners chase

Douvan: top-class jumper is by Montjeu's son Walk In The Park

PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Montjeu making mark
as sire of jumps sires

BY TOM PENNINGTON10:17AM 23 DEC 2015

TRAINER Willie Mullins is likely to dominate the biggest races over Christmas, including with Nichols Canyon, who ended the unbeaten run of stablemate Faugheen in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month, and dual Grade 1-winning hurdler and Racing Post Arkle Chase favourite Douvan.

The two youngsters do not just have Mullins in common, as they are both by sons of Montjeu. The late Coolmore sire looks set to become a more and more significant force in jumps breeding if events in 2015 are anything to go by.

Montjeu was an outstanding talent on the racecourse - his stunning victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when he wore down Japanese raider El Condor Pasa will live long in the memory - and there is no doubting his talent as a Flat sire, highlighted by his four Derby winners Authorized, Camelot, Motivator and Pour Moi.

However, like so many leading middle-distance Flat sires, he has supplied his fair share of jumpers, and some pretty good ones to boot, headed by the record-breaking 22-time Grade 1-winning hurdler Hurricane Fly, as well as talented pair Noble Prince and Won In The Dark.

Montjeu imparts so much stamina to his stock - he has sired three St Leger winners as well as two Gold Cup scorers - it was always highly probable a proportion of his sons would fall into the jumps category at stud. Especially when you consider his sire Sadler's Wells has had such a dominating affect on the jumps breed in the last decade; five of the top ten jumps sires this season are by the late Coolmore breed-shaper, including reigning champion and table-topper King's Theatre. Montjeu's late brother Gold Well sits in 13th position.

Several of Montjeu's top-class sons were retired to stud to stand as jumps sires, including his first-crop son Scorpion, who struck in the St Leger and Coronation Stakes.

Big things were expected of the strapping bay. He covered big books initially at Castle Hyde Stud and his first crop included Sizing Scorpion, who topped the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale in 2012 when selling to Alan Potts for €250,000. But three crops of racing age have failed to throw up a single black-type winner in Britain or Ireland.

A number of agents and trainers have also questioned the temperament of Scorpion's progeny - he would not be the first of Montjeu's sons to be noted for their quirks and he is out of a mare by another stallion known for temperament issues in Law Society - and he covered 125 mares this year, compared with 213 in 2014, 207 in 2013 and 339 in 2012, the most covered by any stallion that year. Those figures might tell their own story.

However, there is still time for him to make an impact and he is clearly capable of producing stock with quality and class, exemplified by exciting pair The Nipper and Tell Us More.

Although Scorpion covered a smaller book compared with previous years in 2015, jumps breeders have clearly not lost faith in Montjeu's sons establishing themselves as leading jump stallions. Coolmore National Hunt sires Fame And Glory and Leading Light were the most active stallions in Britain and Ireland this year, covering books of 346 and 318 respectively at Grange Stud in County Cork. And it is not just breeders getting behind sons of Montjeu; buyers have been out in force buying stock by his sons at the sales on the back of several high-class winners.

Authorized, Montjeu's second Derby winner, has produced four top-flight winners on the Flat, but he is potentially also a jumps sire of the highest order. He is responsible for two top-flight winners in Nichols Canyon, the winner of five Grade 1s, and Tiger Roll, as well as Grade 2-winning juvenile hurdler Beltor. His jumpers this season are operating at a strike-rate of 36 per cent and include Saturday's Ladbroke Hurdle winner Sternrubin and Woolstone One, who looked a filly of potential when taking a Newbury bumper this month.

AUTHORIZED'S three-year-old son Zubayr caught the attention of several leading jumps agents at Deauville in July and was at the centre of a bidding war between Tom Malone and Harold Kirk with the former coming out on top at €380,000.

Kirk, Mullins' eyes and ears on the ground, in tandem with French agent Pierre Boulard has had huge success with the progeny of another of Montjeu's sons in Walk In The Park, who chased home paternal half-brother Motivator (who has himself provided an exceptional Flat performer in Treve but also useful jumpers such as Modus) in the 2005 Derby.

Not only is the hugely exciting Douvan by the sire, but his stablemate Min, a 14-length winner at Punchestown this month, is also a son of the Haras de la Huderie resident who will command a fee of €3,500 next year.

Douvan was one of 39 second-crop foals, but runners by Walk In The Park will be thin on the ground in the years to come, with ten foals registered with France Galop this year and only six in 2014. So it easy to see why a colt foal by the sire, already named Etoile Rebelle out of a half-sister to Vautour, topped the recent Goffs December National Hunt Sale when going the way of Lenny Walker for €70,000.

Montmartre is another French-based son of Montjeu who Mullins has had success with. He supplied the first two home, Petite Parisienne and Kalkir, in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown this year.

Montjeu's sire sons appear to be producing classy jumpers with more consistency than they have Flat stars. That could change with his triple Classic winner Camelot, who has been well supported with blue-chip Flat mares in his first two years at stud, but who has also covered a small number of jumps mares, including Hurricane Fly's dam Scandisk.

With a handful of Montjeu's sons already on the path to reaching the top as jumps sires, and with runners by the likes of Fame And Glory, Frozen Fire, Leading Light and Masked Marvel still to come, there is every chance he can succeed his sire Sadler's Wells as a significant influence on jump racing.

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Excelebration from Coolmore Stud on Vimeo.

NEW FOR 2016 Kingston Hill Ivawood & Gleneagles

Kingston Hill - New for 2016 from Coolmore Stud on Vimeo.

Ivawood - New for 2016 from Coolmore Stud on Vimeo.

Gleneagles - New for 2016 from Coolmore Stud on Vimeo.

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War envoy beat by a nose on American Debut for Wes Ward

Got stuck behind a wall of horses and got out heading into stretch, winner saved ground on inside and held him off.

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Ivanovich Gorbatov & King Of Aragon could make their Hurdle debuts in Graded Company in the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) On St Stephen's Day at Leopardstown. Race card in news section.

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Video Below

Excelebration from Coolmore Stud on Vimeo.

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MINDING THE QUEEN OF BALLYDOYLE

MINDING THE QUEEN OF BALLYDOYLE from Aidan O'Brien on Vimeo.

GALILEO EMPIRE 2015 Video

GALILEO EMPIRE 2015 from Aidan O'Brien on Vimeo.

Aidan O'Brien's 17 Group One Wins In 2015 Video

Vimeo

Aidan O'Brien's 17 Group One Wins In 2015

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Ivanovich Gorbatov & King Of Aragon could make their Hurdle debuts in Graded Company in the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) On St Stephen's Day at Leopardstown.

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Former Ballydoyle Resident WAR ENVOY now trained by Wes Ward, set to make his debut at Tampa Bay

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We Just Hit 1000 Downloads of Our Yearbook amazing numbers considering you dont need to download to view it

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Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas Much Love from

the AOBFS Team have a good one

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Eisenhower Moves to De Koch Yard

Eisenhower (green and white) is ridden out by Joseph O'Brien

Eisenhower, who had four runs for trainer Aidan O’Brien in Ireland, has been shipped to Dubai and is in quarantine with five other De Kock newcomers to the UAE from South Africa. They will soon be based at Blue Stables near the Meydan Racing Complex.

Eisenhower (USA) is a son of the well-performed Danzig stallion War Front from Volga, a stakes-winning mare by Caerleon. He won his second start over 5 furlongs at Cork Racecourse (PICTURED ABOVE) last April and has raced twice since up to Listed Company. He will compete in the silks of Coolmore Stud in partnership with a Mike de Kock Racing Syndicate.

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6 Former Ballydoyle Residents to race in the Dubai Carnival

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Bishan Bedi gives O'Brien Dundalk double

By Michael Graham

Fri 18th Dec 2015, 20:01

Bishan Bedi and Ana O'Brien
(Healy Racing Photos)

Split The Atom looked to have Dundalk's seven furlong handicap at his mercy but he was cut down by Bishan Bedi who was produced close home to deny him.

Tom Madden and Split The Atom saw off Have A Nice Day and held a lead of a couple of lengths entering the final furlong. It was evident though that he was crying out for the line. He kept at it for Madden but the closers - Bishan Bedi and Togoville - got a whiff of victory and charged home.

It was Bishan Bedi who stayed on strongest between the other pair to get up by a neck for Ana O'Brien at 7/1.

Split The Atom, on the inside, took second at 12/1 while grey horse Togoville, on the outer, was a short head back in third at 11/2.

"He's a right little horse. He was dropping back to seven tonight. I don't know if seven or a mile is his best trip but he finished well there," said Ana O'Brien.

"He's tough, tries hard and seems to like it here."

Bishan Bedi won a mile handicap in Dundalk two weeks ago.

This gave trainer Aidan O'Brien a double on the card as Oscar Dominguez took race two with Donnacha O'Brien in the plate.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

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Oscar Dominguez illuminates Dundalk

By Michael Graham

Oscar Dominguez, with his four white socks, cut a dash as he stretched away from his rivals to emphatically land the mile nursery in Dundalk.

The son of Zoffany was popular with punters throughout the day as he was backed from 9/4 to 5/4 but he was a bit easier to back at the track in going off the 15/8 favourite.

This was his first step into handicap company after three runs in maidens forAidan O'Brien that yielded a sixth and two fifth places.

Donnacha O'Brien had him racing in fifth just on the heels of the leaders as the field swept past the four furlong pole.

In the straight he switched him left and bustled him along with a quarter of a mile to travel. He was soon ridden to hit the front and strode away in the final furlong to win comfortably by three lengths.

Dashing Chief at 25/1 came in second. He was a length and a quarter ahead of Hot To The Touch (11/1).

Donnacha O'Brien said: "I was looking at his price beforehand and couldn't believe he was 5/4. Obviously the punters knew something I didn't!

“He surprised me. He had run nicely in his maidens but nothing like that and obviously he stepped up a good bit.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

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Three Musketeers: high-class chaser is by Flemensfirth

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Flemensfirth heads Coolmore jumps fees

BY TOM PENNINGTON12:20PM 18 DEC 2015

FLEMENSFIRTH will be the most expensive stallion on the Coolmore National Hunt roster when he covers at an unchanged fee of €10,000 next year.

A 23-year-old son of Alleged, Flemensfirth is best known as the sire of Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander and top-class chaser Tidal Bay. Leading runners by the sire this year are headed by the Dan Skelton-trained Three Musketeers, who won a Grade 2 novices' chase at Newbury last month.

Fame And Glory, who was the busiest stallion in Britain and Ireland this year covering a book of 346 mares, will stand at €7,000, up from €5,000.

Yeats, whose exciting daughter Augusta Kate struck in a Listed bumper at Navan last month, has had his fee raised to €7,500 from €6,000.

Milan has also had his fee increased to €7,000 from €6,500. The 17-year-old son of Sadler's Wells is responsible for Ttebbob, who won the Grade 3 Klairon Davis Novice Chase at Navan this month by 41 lengths.

Full Coolmore National Hunt stallion fees 2016

Grange Stud

Fame And Glory €7,000

Getaway €4,000

Leading Light €4,500

Milan €7,000

Beeches Stud

Ask €3,000

Flemensfirth €10,000

Imperial Monarch €2,500

Mahler €5,000

Sans Frontieres €2,500

Ocovango €3,500

Castlehyde Stud

Dylan Thomas €5,000

Scorpion €4,000

Westerner €5,000

Yeats €7,500

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Starspangledbanner Leaving Rosemont Stud where he has been for 3 years he is heading back to Coolmore Stud for the 2016 breeding season

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SIMPLY THE BEST Galileo

Many Thanks to Andrew O'Brien for these stats

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Rhodes Reports - First Season Sires of 2016 analysis

BATED BREATH - High-class sprinter winner of the Group 2 Temple Stakes also Group One Placed on several occasions Should produce Flashy early types and is a Dark horse for the title.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Bated Breath x Condition (Colt) A 230,000 GNS Purchase at Tatts 2015 by Al Shaqab Racing Half brother to French Listed winnerDreamt

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SIR PRANCEALOT - A precocious & fast 2yo, won The Flying Childers Group 2. The son of Tamayuz retired at the end of his juvenile campaign another who should produce early starters an outsider for the title but to be respected even though it would be a surprise for him to be in contention.

2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Sir Prancealot x Fuerta Ventura (Filly) A 100,000 GNS Purchase at Tatts 2015 by David Redvers Half Sister to Conditions winner The Gold Cheongsam

FOXWEDGE - A Son of Fastnet Rock A High-class Australian sprinter at 2 & 3, wins including Group 1 William Reid Stakes Not sure he will have the number of runners needed to be a danger to the rest.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Foxwedge x Foot Of Pride (Filly) A 100,000 GNS Purchase at Tatts 2015 by Donald Sackville from the family of Gordon Lord Byron

SO YOU THINK - Magnificent 10 time Group One winning son of High Chaparral. will only have a maximum of 40 2YO in europe next term which will almost rule him out of title contention

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - So You Think x Fabulous Speed (Colt) A 100,000 GNS Purchase at Tatts 2015 by Coleman Bloodstock Half Brither to Listed PlacedFacoltoso

ELZAAM -The son of Redoute´s Choice was Runner-up in the Coventry Stakes as a 2yo, 6f Listed winner as a 3yo He is a longshot.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - B, C, y, Elzaam Midnight Oasis (Colt) A 120,000 GNS Purchase at Tatts 2015 by Ross & Peter Doyle Bloodstock Half Brother to 4 time race winner Mr Win

POWER - Group One winning Juvenile who went on to bag classic honors in the Irish 2000 Guineas. The son of Oasis Dream is Part of a 3 Pronged Coolmore attack on the first season sire title in 2016 won by Zoffany in 2015 he is bound to produce precocious early types Don't be surprised if we see a Royal Ascot winner in his first crop.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Power x Amber Nectar (Colt) A 150,000 Euro purchase by M.V.Magnier at Goffs Orby 2015 A Half Brother to Race Winner Koybig

REQUINTO - Speedy son of Dansili. Only raced as a Juvenile and sent straight to stud afterwards. He may not have got the same quality book as some of his rivals but he is a Dark horse in the First season Sires title. I can see him producing Speedy early types and could take an early lead.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Requinto x Sandbox Two (Colt) a 100,000 GNS Purchase at Tatts 2015 a Half Brother to Glory Awaits

EXCELEBRATION - Wonderful son of Exceed and Excel who spent most of his Career chasing home Frankel this could be Coolmore's Biggest hope and I can see him producing Group race Performers through out the season although maybe not as early as the Other Coolmore Duo.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Excelebration x Lady Miletrian (Colt) A 450,000 Purchase at Tatts 2015 by M.V Magnier Out of the Listed winner Lady Miletrian, dam of G3 winner Himalya

NATHANIEL - Classy son of Galileo who won the Coral Eclipse and King George during his race career. There was alot of positive talk about his yearlings and they sold very well. I see him charging late in the season doubt he will have many early types but no doubt will finish the season off strongly and is a big danger.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Nathaniel x Our Queen of Kings (Filly) a 600,000 GNS Purchase by Juddmonte Farms at Tatts 2015 Half Sister to Group one WinnerSpinning Queen

FRANKEL - Most probably got the best first book of mares of all time. The son of Galileo's Yearlings did not sell anywhere near as well as thought but with the book of mares he covered only a fraction of them need to pay off for him to be champion First season sire he is the worthy favorite in my opinion and SHOULD End the season the Champion.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Frankel x Dar Re Mi (Colt) a 750,000 GNS Purchase at Tatts 2015 by Al Shaqab Racing Sire & Dam Multiple Group One winners Dams 3rd Foal Half brother of French Condition Stakes winner De Treville

BORN TO SEA - Maybe did not have the race career that some of his rivals did but when it comes to Breeding that really means little he is a Half Brother to Galileo and a Full Brother to Sea The Stars Nuff said. Only concern is did he get a strong first book he could be a dark horse but i would think his 3 year olds will fair better than his Juveniles.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Born To Sea x Maskaya (Colt) a 320,000 Purchase at Goffs Orby 2015 Half brother to Drumbeat

MAYSON - 2012 July cup winner a son of Invincible Spirit no doubt will produce plenty of early types not sure he will produce 2 Year olds with the range of distances needed to capture the title.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Mayson x Hypnotize (Colt) A 115,000 Purchase at Tatts 2015 By Al Shaqab Racing Half Brother to Group One Winner Hooray

HARBOUR WATCH - Sent to stud an Unbeaten Juvenile in 3 starts Including the G2 Richmond Stakes due to injury. The son of Acclamation has the mystery factor about him what may he have achieved in his career. No doubt a dark horse in the first season Sire title.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Harbour Watch x Rock Lily (Colt) A 110,000 GNS Purchase at Tatts 2015 by David Redvers Bloodstock Half Brother to Botanic Garden who won 8 races in his career

CASAMENTO - 2010 Racing Post Trophy & Berresford Stakes winning son of Shamardal. Maybe did not hit the heights expected as as 3 year old. His best performers may come late in the season undoubtedly an outsider for the title but could surprise us.

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2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Casamento x Ashirah (Filly) A 200,000 GNS Purchase at Tatts 2015 By John Ferguson A Half Sister to Multiple Group Race winner Hot Streak

DRAGON PULSE - The son of Kyllachy was Lightly raced as a Juvenile won the Group 2 futurity Stakes at the Curragh beating home Parish Hall Astrology & David Livingstone Bagged a French Group 3 as 3yo. The rank outsider for the title.

2 YEAR OLD TO WATCH IN 2016 - Dragon Pulse X Belle Watling (Colt) A 100,000 GNS Purchase at Tatts 2015 by John & Jake Warren Half Brother to 3 time Group One Placed Questing

Verdict - No doubt Frankel will be the one to beat with the quality first book he got but no doubt Nathaniel Excelebration & Power will be there to pounce should the son of Galileo fail to hit the heights with his first crop. Requinto could be a real dark horse.

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New APOB Bumper Horse - Delayed Eloquence

Also in other news King Of Aragon has been Purchased by J P McManus and remains at Ballydoyle and is going Juvenile Hurdling another smart purchase - Best Kept Secret is also going Jumping still owned by AMOB

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We have Just been informed that unfortunately Coolmore America's hot young sire Scat Daddy sadly collapsed this morning & died. Rest In Peace such a terrible loss

No Nay Never: Prix Morny winner is a son of Scat Daddy

PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Coolmore sire Scat Daddy dies aged 11

BY BLOODSTOCK WORLD STAFF7:07PM 14 DEC 2015

COOLMORE have been rocked by the death of leading sire Scat Daddy, responsible for this year's runaway Queen Mary Stakes winner Acapulco, who collapsed at their Ashford Stud in Kentucky on Tuesday. He was 11.

Ashford Stud manager Dermot Ryan tweeted: "Scat Daddy was in the best of health but totally unexpectedly he dropped dead when walking out of his paddock.

"Everyone here at Ashford is very upset as he was a smashing horse with a great career ahead of him."

A son of Johannesburg, Scat Daddy has supplied 69 stakes winners, with 36 of those coming this year, including US Grade 1 winner Nickname.

Scat Daddy shuttled to Haras Paso Nevado in Chile between 2009-11 and has become something of a sire sensation there, supplying eight individual Grade 1 winners this year alone.

He has also had several high-class winners in Europe, most notably No Nay Never, who was saddled by Wesley Ward to win the Norfolk Stakes and Prix Morny in 2013. Other leading lights include Daddy Long Legs, a member of Scat Daddy's his first crop who won the Royal Lodge Stakes for Aidan O'Brien.

Bred by Axel Wend and raced by James Scatuorchio and later Coolmore, Scat Daddy was a top-notch performer on the track for Todd Pletcher, with his biggest victories coming in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes and Florida Derby.

Scat Daddy's fee had been raised to $100,000 from $35,000 for the 2016 breeding season.

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HIGHLAND REEL wins the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase 2015 & Becomes the 64th Aidan O'Brien Trained Multiple Group One Winner Highland Reel Takes His Career earnings To £1,479,952

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Aidan O'Brien Career Stats Updated

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Highland Reel & Ryan Moore Wins Hong Kong Vase

Highland Reel has been to France twice, England, America, Australia and now wins in Hong Kong.

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Highland Reel: was winning for the second time at highest level

PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com)

Highland Reel defeats Flintshire in Vase

BY DAVID BAXTER6:13AM 13 DEC 2015

Report: Hong Kong, Sunday

Sha Tin: Longines Hong Kong Vase (Group 1) 1m4f, turf, 3yo+

AIDAN O'BRIEN added the Vase to his long list of Group 1 prizes as Ryan Moore delivered another fantastic ride to deny last year's winner Flintshire.

A three-year-old, Highland Reel has proved a fine international performer, winning the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington in America, before finishing third in the Cox Plate in Australia on his last start.

With Mastery, Dunaden and Red Cadeaux all successful in the Vase since 2010, it is a race the raiders have traditionally fared well in, and this year was no different with the first three home all trained in Europe.

Moore masterclass

Moore was soon to the fore on Highland Reel, with Flintshire also prominent in fourth, but Tommy Berry rushed up to lead down the back straight on Harbour Master, with Cirrus Des Aigles also making a move.

At the top of the home straight there were plenty of chances, andFlintshire started moving powerfully down the centre for Vincent Cheminaud in a bid to defend his title.

But Highland Reel followed him through, and Moore O'Brien's colt got on top inside the final furlong to win well. Flintshire lost little in defeat, while Dariyan took third for Alain De Royer-Dupre.

Reflecting on victory, Moore said: "He gets away well this horse and is very professional. He was going quite well down the back and the Harbour Master wanted to get on with it and I had to change the plan a little bit.

"But when I got him balanced in the straight, as soon as he got in a battle he really wanted it. Flintshire is a very high-class horse and he takes some beating in these races and I think it was a very good performance by my horse."

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Sarah is Flying at the moment high up the table & very well deserved and an accomplished Jockey

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Highland Reel - After his gallop on the turf track on Wednesday morning Highland Reel continued his preparations with an easy canter on the AWT on Thursday.

Travelling head lad Pat Keating, who has charge of the horse until trainer Aidan O’Brien’s anticipated arrival in Hong Kong on Sunday morning, said: “I think he’s looking very well, and everything is well with him. I am hoping for a good run on Sunday, and I think he should be in the mix,” he said.

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We Just Passed 180,000 Unique Visitors for 2015 smashing 2014 total of 89,000 - We Have also just past 370,000 Unique Visitors in out history

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Highland Reel has been drawn in stall nine for the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin this weekend. Ryan Moore rides.

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HIGHLAND REEL in action at Sha Tin ahead of the Hong Kong Vase on Sunday (Video by Shane Anderson and photo kindly sent in by Harriet Fuller)

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New Ballydoyle Nation Hunt Horse EDWULF

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A Bit of Digital Art By Me

Photo By David Betts Photography

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Outspoken joins the J P McManus National Hunt Ranks its another great

addition he looked a real prospect on the flat a very nice acquisition.

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Not often if ever do you see a National Hunt Horse run in the Tabor silks but Beg to Differ runs in the 12:50 at Uttoxeter For Coolmore

UPDATE Beg To Differ Finished 3rd

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American Pharoah: will stand at Ashford Stud for a fee of $200,000

PICTURE: Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos

American Pharoah to cover top-class mares

BY BLOODSTOCK WORLD STAFF12:30PM 6 DEC 2015

BELMONT STAKES heroine Rags To Riches and fellow top-flight scorer Awesome Maria are among the elite mares set to visit Triple Crown hero American Pharoah next season.

Also bound for the sire's Ashford Stud base are Take Charge Lady, the dam of Grade 1 winners Will Take Charge and Take Charge Indy, Charming, the dam of Take Charge Brandi who sold for $6 million at Keeneland in November, and Judy The Beauty, winner of the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint in 2014.

Speaking to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary, Coolmore America's director of sales Charlie O'Connor said: "This is the biggest response we've ever seen. Who wouldn't want to breed an outstanding mare to the likes of American Pharoah?

"He has captured the heart of the racing world and beyond. All of our top clients and the top breeders from around the world are going to send their top mares his way."

Also to be covered by the son of Pioneerof The Nile are Untouched Talent, the dam of Kentucky Derby and Preakness runner-up Bodemeister owned by American Pharoah's owner-breeder Zayat Stables, Ivanavinalot, the dam of this year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Songbird, and Playa Maya, the dam of Uncle Mo.

Completing the list is Arch's Gal Edith, the dam of Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner I'll Have Another.

American Pharoah, who rounded off his season with an emphatic victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic, will stand for a fee of $200,000.

"It's an exciting time because we know American Pharoah will get the cream of the crop in the breeding shed," said Zayat Stables racing manager, speaking to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary.

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He runs in the Hong Kong Vase on Saturday

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AOBFS YEARBOOK 2015 from Aidan O'Brien on Vimeo.

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Its a Shame The Cork Meeting is off today was looking forward to seeing Ivanovich Gorbatov make his debut over hurdles he won 2 from 3 starts on flat and looked a real prospect it's An incredibly smart purchase by JP McManus Think he will be a big hit in National hunt 25/1 for the Triumph Hurdle As of now which is on the short side for an unraced horse but could look big come the day.

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HIGHLAND REEL Has arrived in Hong Kong Safe And Sound

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Queen Of India Beethoven's half sister (Fastnet Rock - Queen Titi ) - only beat one home on debut at Dundalk last night she badly missed the break But was not given a hard time once the race had gone at start.

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Udogo completes Ballydoyle Double at Dundalk

Fri 4th Dec 2015, 21:50

Donnacha O'Brien (orange) comes through to win on Udogo
(Healy Racing Photos)

Donnacha O'Brien matched his sister Ana by riding a winner on this eight race programme at Dundalk, also donning the colours of their mother Annmarie, when getting Udogo home in the finale.

From early in the day Udogo (returned a 9/2 chance from around 7s when markets began on the contest) was popular in the betting for this Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.

Bishan Bedi was the earlier Aidan O'Brien-trained scorer and though Donnacha was a little more forward in the run on Udogo the result was ultimately the same.

< Udogo got to the front-running Sharjah a furlong out before going on for a two and a half length win.

K.J. Manning, rider of Heavy Weight (well-backed favourite, finished 5th) trained by J. S. Bolger, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount met with trouble turning into the straight.

(AM & EM)

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Bishan Bedi back at the number one

Fri 4th Dec 2015, 19:53

Bishan Bedi and Ana O'Brien beats Hes Our Music and Denis Linehan
(Healy Racing Photos)

Ana O'Brien partnered her twenty fourth winner, in the Christmas Race & Dine Packages Handicap, as the family's Bishan Bedi bounced back to top form at Dundalk.

The Intikhab gelding rarely fails to come up to the mark at this venue, and on this occasion for a third win at the Dowdallshill course, he came through from mid-division.

Pushed along the four-year-old made progress towards the inner in the final couple of furlongs of this mile heat.

The victor headed Hes Our Music inside the final furlong for a three parts of a length verdict.

"I won on him last year and he kept improving away. He's a grand little horse. They went a nice pace and he travelled nicely into it," said the winning rider.

(AM & EM)

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AIR FORCE BLUE won the Outstanding Juvenile Award last night at the ROA Horse Awards at Park Lane thanks to Kevin Buckley (Coolmore UK Representative) for the Picture

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War front - You Ain't seen nothing yet

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Update on some 2YO

Way To My heart to Mrs carry A.M. O'Brien colours previously ran in Derrick Smith colours - share in Cockatoo Island purchased by DATTT Farm.

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What might be to come in 2019

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Hong Kong Vase next for Highland Reel

Wed 2nd Dec 2015, 11:51

Highland Reel
(Healy Racing Photos)

Highland Reel is tasked with giving Aidan O'Brien his first victory at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in the HK$16.5 million LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) at Sha Tin on 13 December.

The three-year-old colt proved himself on the international stage when making all to win the G1 Secretariat Stakes (2,000m) by five and a quarter lengths at Arlington Park, USA, on 15 August.

He was fifth to Golden Horn on his next outing in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes (2,000m) at Leopardstown in September and was last seen when third to Winx in the G1 Cox Plate (2,000m) at Moonee Valley, Australia, on 24 October.

Highland Reel had three starts in European Classics earlier in the year, with his best effort coming when runner-up to New Bay in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2,100m) at Chantilly, France, on 31 May.

The son of Galileo proved his stamina over 2,400m in the G3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood in July, defeating Scottish comfortably by a length and a half in his only start outside G1 company this year.

O'Brien said: "Highland Reel was a little unlucky not to be second in the Cox Plate but we were very happy with his run and he's been in good form since.

"To be honest, I think he is equally effective over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half.

"He is a very uncomplicated and tactically versatile horse, which makes the jockey's life a lot easier. I think both the likely ground and the track at Sha Tin should suit him well.

"From day one, we have always thought a huge amount of him and nothing has happened in the meantime to alter that view."

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Coolmore Purchase Tiggy Wiggy for 2.1 Million GNS & Is

Set for a date with champion Sire Galileo

TIGGY WIGGY The Flying filly, who was trained by Richard Hannon to win last year's Cheveley Park Stakes for Potensis Bloodstock and Merriebelle Stables, is set to visit Galileo next season after selling for 2,100,000gns to MV Magnier.

"The thing about Galileo is that you can send him any type of mare," said Magnier. "They can be winners of the Cheveley Park or Oaks - and he still seems to throw Derby and Oaks winners.

"She was obviously a very good filly, a very fast filly, and the Hannons did a great job with her."

Tiggy Wiggy was a busy, tough two-year-old for the Hannons: after winning on the first day of the 2014 season, she rattled off wins in the National Stakes, Weatherbys Super Sprint, Lowther Stakes and Cheveley Park Stakes. The daughter of Kodiac also ran a brave third in this year's 1,000 Guineas.

She was compared in some quarters to another flying Hannon filly of former times in Lyric Fantasy, affectionately remembered as the 'pocket rocket' - Coolmore also picked her up at this sale back in 1992 for 340,000gns.

"She's a beautiful filly with all the speed in the world," said Peter Bance, representing Merriebelle Stable who bought into Tiggy Wiggy after her win in the National Stakes. "Galileo will suit her very well and we can't wait to see her progeny. We wish Coolmore all the best with her."

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John Ferguson snaps up Oaks winner Qualify

for 1.6 Million GNS

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Lot 1987: QUALIFY

Described by Edmond Mahony as 'the star of the show', Oaks heroine Qualify duly lives up the billing, selling for 1,600,000gns to John Ferguson.

Barry Weisbord, standing with James Delahooke, was the underbidder.

Qualify is the second Oaks winner bought here by Ferguson in recent years following Dancing Rain, who commanded 4,000,000gns in foal to Frankel in 2013.

"At the end of the day, it's always lovely to have an Oaks winner," said Ferguson. "She's a fine, scopey mare and on that day at Epsom, she was extraordinary.

"I have one or two ideas in mind as to which stallion she'll go to but we'll have to sit down and go through it."

Qualify was trained by Aidan O'Brien to win the C L & M F Weld Park Stakes as a two-year-old for Louis and Mrs Kate Ronan, after which she changed hands to Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez.

She returned this year to run down the field in the Newmarket and Irish 1,000 Guineas. However, it was a very different Qualify that appeared at Epsom on Oaks day: settled near the back of the field by Colm O'Donoghue, she came with a powerful, sweeping run to deny Legatissimo by a short head.

She was last seen running sixth behind Jack Hobbs in the Irish Derby.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock is a sister to promising two-year-old Shogun and was bred by Aidan and Anne-Marie O'Brien's Whisperview Trading out of the Group 2-placed Perihelion. Further back, it is the family of Workforce.

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To mark the launch of the limited edition GLENEAGLES range we are giving away a free cap worth €20 with any Coolmore Collection purchase.

Gleneagles joins the roster at Coolmore for 2016 - boasting an incredible pedigree, the Champion 2yo and brilliant miler was first past the post in 5 straight Group 1's!

Just enter the code “GLENEAGLES” at checkout to receive your cap.

Visit www.coolmorecollection.com to view the range.

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Cradle Mountain & Ivanovich Gorbatov Set for Hurdle Debuts

Cradle Mountain and Ivanovich Gorbatov are both entered over hurdles on sunday at Cork in The Galtee 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle for 3-y-o over 2 miles. Cradle Mountain remains in ownership of Annmarie O'Brien where as Ivanovich Gorbatov has been purchased by J P McManus both Horses remain in training with Aidan.

Cork,Sun, 6th Dec, 2015
Going -

12.25

Galtee 3-Y-O M´dn H´dle 3-y-o 2m. of £12000.00 16 Declared

No	Form	Runner	Age	Trainer
1		Allblak Des Places (FR)	3	W P Mullins
2	3755p	Boom Box (IRE)²³	3	Mrs John Harrington
3	5530	Boost Buddy (IRE)⁵⁷	3	T F Shaw
4	0-6248	Clonard Street (GB)²³	3	A J Martin
5	21025l	Cradle Mountain (IRE)¹³¹	3	A P O'Brien
6	4249	Fiorbheim (IRE)¹⁷	3	Eoin Doyle
7	626573	Give Battle (IRE)⁴⁸	3	C Byrnes
8	3-11	Ivanovich Gorbatov (IRE)¹²³	3	A P O'Brien
9	-32122	Lagostovegas (IRE)¹⁶	3	David Harry Kelly
10	02-408	Moving On Up (IRE)¹⁶⁶	3	Anthony Mullins
11	1308u5	Nice Vintage (IRE)²³	3	Adrian Paul Keatley
12	7-7086	Noble Vision (IRE)¹⁶	3	John J Walsh
13	346637	Sonic Rainbow (GR)⁸⁴	3	Gordon Elliott
14	603223	Swamp Fox (IRE)⁶¹	3	Joseph G Murphy
15	48007	Tiger Moon (IRE)²⁹	3	Edmond Daniel Linehan
16	690060	Walled Garden (IRE)¹²	3	Edmond Daniel Linehan

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Australia News By Chris Palmer

The last foal from the great mare Piccadilly Circus has been named PICCADILLIES. She is trained by the brother combination of Lee (who trained Piccadilly Circus) and Anthony Freedman. By Uncle Mo, this young bay filly has shown alot of promise that her connections are looking at a Blue Diamond race in the near future for her. She is set to make her debut December 6. You can go to racing.com/au and then type in Piccadillies in the search box. Once you do that you can see two tabs, one for her file and the other an article. In the article is a video of her trial at Cranbourne.

131 Coolmore associated horses in Australia are Here > http://www.aidanobrienfansite.com/2015-2yo-with-other-trainers.php …

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New Year, New Challenges For Joseph O’Brien

Joseph provides an update on some of the Ballydoyle stars

Joseph to concentrate on Training Plans

Ivanovich Gorbatov draws ahead in Foxrock

Montjeu making mark as sire of jumps sires

Aidan O'Brien's 17 Group One Wins In 2015

Bishan Bedi gives O'Brien Dundalk double

Oscar Dominguez illuminates Dundalk

Flemensfirth heads Coolmore jumps fees

Coolmore sire Scat Daddy dies aged 11

Highland Reel defeats Flintshire in Vase

American Pharoah to cover top-class mares

Udogo completes Ballydoyle Double at Dundalk

Bishan Bedi back at the number one

Hong Kong Vase next for Highland Reel

Montjeu making mark
as sire of jumps sires