Latest horse racing news from UK, Ireland, and around the world.

Diego Velazquez sold ahead of Jacques le Marois start

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Diego Velazquez will sport new colours when he runs in the Prix Jacques le Marois on Sunday, after Sam Sangster Bloodstock announced the acquisition of the Frankel colt.

He will remain in training with Aidan O’Brien for the remainder of the 2025 season, with a view to retiring to the National Stud in Newmarket at the end of the year. He will wear the famous silks of the late Robert Sangster in the Marois.

A Group-race winner at two, three and four, most recently in the Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh, Diego Velazquez will bid for a first Group One success at Deauville this weekend, where he will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon.

Purchasing the horse for a “high-profile” syndicate, Sangster said: “He is a horse that leaves little to the imagination, he is the stamp of his father and a top-class racehorse to match.

“He’s done it at Group Two level across three seasons and was Classic-placed (fourth in the French 2000 Guineas), which gives him a rare depth of form and longevity.

“The Jacques le Marois is the immediate target, and from there we have a number of exciting Group One races to consider, we are in world-class hands in that respect.

“With the strength of the ownership group and the National Stud behind him, this horse has every chance of being a major success both on the track and at stud we believe he will be very well received by European breeders.”

Diego Velazquez will join the stallion roster at the National Stud for the 2026 breeding season, with further details to be announced in due course, and Sangster said: “We’ve been on the hunt for a horse like this for some time, and I’d like to thank the team at Coolmore for giving us the opportunity to get involved with a colt of his calibre.”

Soumillon’s mount is one of 10 left in the Marois, with O’Brien also responsible for former Derby favourite The Lion In Winter and Rosallion (Richard Hannon), Notable Speech (Charlie Appleby) and Dancing Gemini (Roger Teal) representing British interests.

Sangster added: “He’ll be running in the Sangster family colours, which will be one for the old romantics and it is very exciting, that is for sure.

“It will be a very exciting weekend for us with Rashabar running in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano on Saturday and Christophe Soumillon is booked to ride both.”

The Lion In Winter has raced over a variety of distances this season, finishing sixth on his belated reappearance in the Dante Stakes at York over a mile and a quarter before coming home 14th of 18 over a mile and a half in the Derby.

He performed far better when a close-up third in the Prix Jean Prat over seven furlongs last time and O’Brien is looking forward to seeing him tackle what he feels could be his optimum trip.

“Everything seems good with The Lion In Winter. Obviously he started back this year late, we just tried to get a run into him for the Derby and he ran in the Dante and looked pacey,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“You’re never sure and he obviously went to the Derby and it was very apparent very quickly that he was probably a miler the way he went through the race.

“We had our eye on this race, but we felt we had to get a run into him over a shorter distance before he went and the Deauville race was perfect. It was three-year-olds only, we knew he wouldn’t be fully primed up for it as it was first run back after going back a mile and a half over seven furlongs, so we were delighted with the run.

“He ran a lovely race, we’ve been very happy with him since and we’re looking forward to running him over the mile as it’s a distance that’s going to really suit him we think.

“We weren’t expecting him to run that well on his first run back at a shorter distance, but we felt to go to the race on Sunday he had to have a run like that.”

Of Diego Velazquez, he added: “He hasn’t really had the rub of the green, little things have held him up.

“We always felt that he was a miler, we were very happy with his run the last day over seven furlongs which we thought was tight enough for him.

“He’s very well and has made great progress since his last run. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can do as the track and the trip and ground should suit him.”

Cesarewitch next port of call for East India Dock

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East India Dock is being primed for one more outing on the Flat in the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap before attentions turn to making his mark in the staying division on his return to hurdles.

James Owen’s dual-purpose star was third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and wasted little time securing a valuable prize on the level when scooping the Chester Cup in May.

Having felt another prestigious event went begging when sixth in the Northumberland Plate, Owen has his eye on the historic Newmarket marathon on October 11 before switching focus back to timber, where he will have an exciting new target.

“East India Dock has had a small break and is now back in and we’ll aim at the Cesarewitch with him,” said Owen. “He’ll go straight there.

East India Dock ridden has excelled in both codes
East India Dock ridden has excelled in both codes (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA)

“I feel we missed a chance in the Northumberland Plate and the ground may have been on the lively side for him at Ascot, but Newcastle was our chance.

“It was one of his best runs on figures, but annoyingly he didn’t get a great run round, he got caught wide and shuffled to the back of the field.

“A great big pot on home turf, when hopefully by then they will have had a bit of rain, we think will be ideal and then back over hurdles we will campaign him as a Stayers’ Hurdle horse – I’m sure he will stay well and he gives himself every chance to.”

While East India Dock has key business on the Flat to attend to before changing tack, Owen has already identified the hurdling starting point for stablemate and fellow dual-purpose performer Burdett Road.

Burdett Road will head to Newcastle when the jumps season begins
Burdett Road will head to Newcastle when the jumps season begins (Mike Egerton/PA)

Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle has been pencilled in as the first stop for the Champion Hurdle runner-up over timber, whose season once again will be geared around an appearance in the Cheltenham Festival’s opening day showpiece.

“Burdett Road’s having a nice break and we might give him one prep run on the Flat before going for the Fighting Fifth,” continued Owen.

“He’ll take the Champion Hurdle route again and will be running in all the big two-mile hurdle races en route to Cheltenham.

“He did very well last year and it will be very tough again, but he’s entitled to be in all those big races and hopefully he can be very competitive in them.”

Radiance should be class act at Salisbury

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Radiance looks the potential class act on show at Salisbury as she bids to follow up debut success in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

A 150,000 guineas breeze-up purchase by the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing team, the daughter of Farhh was an odds-on favourite for her introduction at Yarmouth in early July and justified that position with an impressive victory.

That form does not look particularly strong, with the runner-up Conjecture beaten twice since and the third home Sing The Blues disappointing at Newbury next time, but what cannot be questioned is the authoritative fashion in which Radiance left that pair trailing in her wake once the penny dropped.

Trainer George Boughey was talking about testing his juvenile in stakes company in the immediate aftermath and this race looks an ideal stepping-stone to something fancier next time.

Emma Lavelle does not have many runners on the Flat, but in Chilli Queen she looks to have inherited a smart one.

Unplaced in two starts for Andrew Balding last year, the three-year-old has looked a different filly since switching yards, with a couple of runner-up finishes followed by a hat-trick of wins.

There was no sign of her progress coming to an end when scoring with a bit in hand at Ascot last time and must have every chance of completing her four-timer in the British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap.

Shady Bay is expected to complete her hat-trick as the Racing League rolls into town at Windsor.

The daughter of New Bay looked fairly limited after three outings in novice and maiden company, but that allowed her to enter the handicap sphere off a mark in the low-60s and she has steadily improved.

Tom Ward’s filly struggled over a mile and a half in May and June, but was well backed when dropped to a mile and a quarter at Nottingham in early June and the gamble was landed in some style as she fairly bolted up at the chief expense of San Francisco Bay, who went one better next time.

A 6lb rise in the weights was nowhere enough to stop Shady Bay from following up on her most recent appearance at Newbury and while another 6lb hike will make life tougher, she is clearly in the rude health ahead of the Racing League Race 23 Handicap and appears well suited to fast ground.

Shady Bay’s rider Richard Kingscote leads the way in this year’s Racing League jockeys’ standings and could also find the target aboard the Andrew Balding-trained Lieber Power in the £50,000 Racing League Race 27 Handicap.

It has been a little while between drinks for the five-year-old whose last victory came in this team competition at Chepstow 12 months ago.

He attempted to defend his crown in the same race last week in Monmouthshire and while he came up short, there was enough promise in his performance in finishing third to suggest a return to winning ways may not be far away.

Beverley punters are advised to put their faith in Catching The Moon in the curtain-raising Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Richard Fahey’s youngster was unfortunate to bump into the Boughey-trained and Highclere-owned Awaken on her Leicester debut, a filly who had previously picked up the silver medal behind Venetian Sun in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Catching The Moon was clearly best of the rest in the Midlands and a repeat of that effort may well suffice in East Yorkshire.

SELECTIONS:

BEVERLEY: 2.10 Catching The Moon, 2.40 Imso Friendly, 3.12 Grey Horizon, 3.47 Fenlander, 4.20 Red Force One, 4.55 Sunny Orange.

CHELMSFORD: 6.15 Colors Of Freedom, 6.45 Dartrey, 7.15 Medinilla, 7.45 Local Music, 8.15 Majaz, 8.45 Jack Andrea.

CHEPSTOW: 2.30 Fossos, 3.00 Shetakesthegold, 3.35 Portacloy, 4.10 Rival, 4.45 Soi Dao, 5.15 Pure Artistry.

CORK: 5.22 Cactus, 5.52 Tomarlo, 6.22 Black Caviar Gold, 6.52 Dance Night Andday, 7.22 Elana Osario, 7.52 Edge Of Seventeen, 8.25 Mullacash Buzz.

SALISBURY: 2.20 Amathus, 2.50 Rogue Desire, 3.25 Asian Journey, 4.00 RADIANCE (NAP), 4.35 Chilli Queen, 5.20 Skibo.

TRAMORE: 5.05 Ma Belle Etoile, 5.35 Mic Drop, 6.05 Tatateo, 6.35 Jerrari, 7.05 Time In A Bottle, 7.35 Mother Ship, 8.05 Winter Fog.

WINDSOR: 5.00 Clearpoint, 5.30 Shady Bay, 6.00 Gloriously Sassy, 6.30 King Of Light, 7.00 Jimmy Speaking, 7.30 Lieber Power, 8.00 Mr Swivell.

DOUBLE: Radiance and Shady Bay.

Racing Bulletin for 13/08/2025

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Beverley

Good to Firm

 14:15 14:45 15:15 15:45 16:15 16:45 17:15
Salisbury

Good to Firm

 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
Gowran Park

Good

 17:05 17:35 18:05 18:35 19:05 19:35 20:05
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Good

 17:55 18:25 18:55 19:25 19:55 20:25
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Standard / Slow

 18:15 18:45 19:15 19:45 20:15 20:45

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Dancing Gemini raring to go on Marois return

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Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini will head to the Prix Jacques le Marois a fresh horse as he looks to regain the superb form shown earlier in the term.

The son of Camelot won the Doncaster Mile on debut and followed up with a Group Two win in the bet365 Mile at Sandown under Rossa Ryan in late April.

He was then narrowly denied when beaten only half a length by Lead Artist in the Lockinge, but that streak of smart performances came to an end when he could only finish eighth in a slowly-run renewal of the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.

The Marois, a Group One event run over a mile at Deauville on Sunday, is his next port of call, with Ryan taking the ride for the first time since Sandown.

“He’s very well, we’re really happy with him. The Prix Jacques le Marois is the plan now,” Teal said.

“The pace of the race at Ascot was a farce, really, and he probably had a tough enough race in the Lockinge and it took the edge off him.

“The pace was pretty disappointing for a Group One and it turned into a sprint at the end, it was probably a combination of a tough race in the Lockinge and then no pace.

“We’ve freshened him up now, Ascot was his fourth run of the year so he’s had a busy time.

“It was nice to give him a little break after that, we’ve freshened him up and we’ll hopefully regroup.”

Bill Turner in serious condition in hospital

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The British Horseracing Authority is among those to send well-wishes to popular trainer Bill Turner, who is in hospital after reportedly suffering a serious accident at home on Monday.

Turner, 78, a former jockey and as a trainer synonymous with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, having won the traditional first race of the Flat turf season six times, suffered a fractured skull in the accident, according to Sky Sports Racing and the Racing Post.

Based in Sigwells in Somerset, Turner’s most recent winner of the Brocklesby was Mick’s Yer Man in 2013.

Posting on X, the BHA said: “Everybody at the BHA sends our best wishes to Bill Turner following his accident yesterday. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and team.”

Cox has Coppull booked for Prix Morny mission

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After lighting up a gloomy Goodwood with his Richmond Stakes triumph, it could be next stop Deauville for Coppull, as Clive Cox eyes a raid on the Sumbe Prix Morny on Sunday week.

Cox landed the Morny with Reckless Abandon in 2012 and a cross-Channel trip with the exciting son of Bated Breath would represent a “well-trodden path” for the handler, who also saddled Golden Horde to finish third in the French Group One after winning the Richmond.

“He’s in great form and we were very pleased that race took place before the rain fell at Goodwood,” said Cox, reflecting on his colt’s Group Two success on what was a miserable afternoon subsequently interrupted by heavy rainfall and lightning.

“I’ve been delighted with how he has come out of that and all being well he will head to the Prix Morny where he won’t be penalised for his success, it’s a well-trodden path.

“I would be very hopeful conditions remain dry and even though his sister has won on soft ground he has very much been at home on a quicker surface.”

Coppull’s two-length triumph over Aidan O’Brien’s Puerto Rico confirmed the promise of his fine third in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and it is the form of that contest – with recent Phoenix Stakes scorer Power Blue behind in fifth – which is convincing Cox he has a smart juvenile on his hands.

Connections all smiles - despite the weather!
Connections were all smiles despite the weather at Goodwood (PA)

“His form was boosted again at the weekend by the Amo horse who was behind us at Ascot and I see no reason to be anything but pleased with the progress our horse is making,” continued Cox.

“He took the step up to Group Two in his stride and that has vindicated a further step up at this stage.”

Among the Morny opposition is set to be the Wesley Ward-trained Outfielder, who is part-owned by MLB Hall of Famer Jayson Werth, who has recently played a starring roll in the Netflix series ‘Race for the Crown’.

Wimbledon Hawkeye teaming up with Dettori for Kentucky bid

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James Owen is relishing linking up with Frankie Dettori when Wimbledon Hawkeye heads to America for the Nashville Derby later this month.

The son of Kameko – who won the Group Two Royal Lodge as a juvenile – gave William Haggas’ potential Arc contender Merchant a fright in Goodwood’s Gordon Stakes and his trainer feels the colt has all the attributes to thrive at Kentucky Downs in a $3.5million event won by Andrew Balding’s Bellum Justum 12 months ago.

Explaining the decision to head Stateside, Owen said: “After his good run at Goodwood we were invited over for the race and I think it looks ideal, the track will suit him.

Wimbledon Hawkeye winning at Newmarket as a juvenile
Wimbledon Hawkeye winning at Newmarket as a juvenile (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Bellum Justum won it last year after doing well in the Gordon Stakes and I think Wimbledon Hawkeye is the ideal horse for it really.

“He has a very good mind, he’ll travel over well and handle the whole experience well and he’s shown us this year how tough he is by holding his form really well.

“It’s great prize-money and hopefully he can go over there with a great chance.”

It will be a first runner in America for Owen, who will be hoping for kinder weather at the Franklin track than that which greeted Wimbledon Hawkeye at Goodwood recently.

James Owen is looking forward to heading over to America
James Owen is looking forward to heading over to America (Mike Egerton/PA)

And the icing on the cake for the Newmarket handler has been securing the services of Dettori, who was in fact aboard the victorious Bellum Justum last year and is no stranger to Wimbledon Hawkeye’s owners the Gredley family.

“It’s great that Frankie can ride him and he’s had a lot of success for the Gredleys before and even won the race last year on Bellum Justum,” continued Owen.

“We don’t have to take a jockey over which is another plus and having Frankie is a little cherry on top for us and a big part of the decision to go over, it’s lovely to have him.

“He’s never ridden for me, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Waiting game for Porta Fortuna’s Matron Stakes defence

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Everything will need to go to plan for Porta Fortuna to make her comeback in the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes on September 13.

Donnacha O’Brien’s stable star has been absent since making a winning reappearance in the Lanwades Stud Stakes in May.

The winner of two Group Ones last year, including the Matron at Leopardstown, as well as the Cheveley Park at two, a setback forced her to miss Royal Ascot and the Deauville mile races.

O’Brien said: “As everyone knows she had a setback, but she’s on the way back.

“We’ll just have to see whether we make Champions Weekend or not.

“Obviously if we’re going to make it we can’t have any hold ups with her between now and then, but the plan is to go there for now.

“It’s one of those where everything will need to go in the right direction.”

Spirit willing ally for Cox in search of Stonehenge prize

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A Bit Of Spirit will bid to regain the winning thread when he returns to the familiar territory of Salisbury to step up to a mile in the British Stallion Studs EBF Stonehenge Stakes on Wednesday.

Clive Cox’s talented youngster impressed at the Wiltshire track when defying a penalty there on his second start, and after being narrowly denied when upped in class for Ascot’s Pat Eddery Stakes he now tries his hand once again at Listed level, against just two rivals.

Although low in numbers, however, the race is not devoid of quality and Cox has the utmost respect for John and Thady Gosden’s Vintage Stakes runner-up Morris Dancer, who looks set to present a stern challenge in a race the Lambourn handler won with Cobh in 2020.

“Obviously there’s only three runners, but there is healthy competition and Morris Dancer was a very respectful second in the Group Two at Goodwood,” said Cox.

“I’m very happy though that my fellow is in good form and he ran a blinder at Ascot. He’s a course winner at Salisbury as well so I’m relishing the opportunity to run him and fingers crossed he can run well.

“We always thought he could take the step up to a mile and this seems like a sensible opportunity on a course he has won at. He’s hit the line really well each time he has run, so I see no reason not to go to a mile and I really hope it is in his compass.”

The Stonehenge Stakes is one of two Listed events on the Salisbury card, with a field of nine assembled for the British Stallion Studs EBF Upavon Fillies’ Stakes.

Ralph Beckett’s Revoir was not disgraced in the Oaks on her penultimate start and is fancied to be one of the leading players, with Owen Burrows’ Azaniya going in search of a hat-trick after wins in a Newmarket novice event then a Windsor handicap.

Channon sees Attitude fitting the bill for Nunthorpe challenge

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Jack Channon is eager to strike while the iron is hot with recent Deauville scorer Miss Attitude and add her into the mix for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York next week.

The five-year-old won stylishly at Listed level at the weekend and holds an entry for Naas’ Ballyogan Stakes two days after the Nunthorpe.

However, the West Isley handler would prefer to pay the £40,000 required to supplement and take on the best around on the Knavesmire, feeling his in-form mare has the chance to make her mark in an open division.

Channon said: “I would love to be able to supplement her for the Nunthorpe next week, the quick ground which we should get there and the fast pace which always comes with the Nunthorpe should suit her down to the ground.

“This year and previous years, it’s so tight at the top of the five-furlong division and there is no real standout. On their day pretty much anything in the field could win the race if things go to plan.

“I’m not saying she’ll win it, but even if she could go and be placed in it, it would be massive for her pedigree and she’s a great mare for the team at Norman Court Stud (owners) where I’m sure she will be going at some point to be a broodmare.

“I would be really keen to give it a go, but if we don’t then we do have lots of other options as well.”

Miss Attitude is a 25-1 shot with William Hill for the Nunthorpe and reflecting on her Deauville victory, Channon added: “It was a great performance at Deauville and she did it very well.

“She’s had everything in her favour in terms of the strong pace to aim at and quick ground, but Rob (Hornby) gave her a peach of a ride.

“She’s arrived back and had a day back in the pens and we’ll see her canter tomorrow, but she seems to have come back really well and she travelled well so all looks good to the future.”

Racing Bulletin for 12/08/2025

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Carlisle

Good to Firm

 14:15 14:45 15:15 15:50 16:25 17:00
Lingfield Park

Standard

 14:30 15:00 15:32 16:07 16:42 17:17
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Good to Soft

 17:40 18:10 18:40 19:10 19:40 20:10 20:40

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Middleham Park happy to be heading straight to Doncaster with Lazy Griff

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Lazy Griff is firmly on course for a third tilt at Classic glory in the Betfred St Leger, as he prepares to head straight to Doncaster.

Charlie Johnston’s charge has performed admirably in defeat on each of his three starts so far this season, finishing second in both the Chester Vase and the Derby before taking third in the Irish Derby, on each occasion chasing home Aidan O’Brien’s Lambourn.

Owners Middleham Park Racing considered a trip overseas in a bid for a Group One breakthrough with Lazy Griff, but have instead elected to keep their powder dry for the world’s oldest Classic on September 13.

“We thought about going to Germany for the race Rebel’s Romance won (on Sunday), but it was quite a warm race and we didn’t really want to leave any Leger chances over there,” said Middleham Park’s Mike Prince.

Christophe Soumillon returns aboard Lazy Griff after his runner-up finish at Epsom
Christophe Soumillon returns aboard Lazy Griff after his runner-up finish at Epsom (PA)

“There’s the Great Voltigeur next week, but we felt there wasn’t going to be enough time between that and Doncaster. I think the ground will be plenty quick at York for him anyway and waiting for September just gives us the chance for hopefully a little bit softer ground if the weather breaks in the next couple of weeks.

“Charlie has had the Leger in mind for him all year and we’ll go straight there now, that is absolutely the plan.”

Paddy Power make Lazy Griff the 7-1 third-favourite for the St Leger, with the O’Brien-trained pair of Scandinavia and his old rival Lambourn the two ahead of him in the betting at 5-4 and 7-2 respectively.

Prince added: “I’d say Scandinavia might be the favourite (to run) out of the two, just because of the trips he’s been running over. I wonder whether they’ll go for the Arc with Lambourn, you never know.

“Whatever Aidan sends will probably go off favourite, whether it’s Scandinavia or Lambourn, and if he sends both then I suspect they’ll both be ahead of us in the market.

Scandinavia will be one of the big dangers to Lazy Griff at Doncaster
Scandinavia will be one of the big dangers to Lazy Griff at Doncaster (Matt Alexander/PA)

“He’s got plenty of ammo, but we’re all geared up and ready to go.”

The Middleham Park team have also started to make plans beyond Doncaster, with Prince saying: “We’ve given him an entry in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day at Ascot and I suppose the options after the St Leger are that and the Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud at the end of October.

“It’ll probably be the Leger and then one of those.”

More Thunder moving up in class at the weekend

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More Thunder is all set to have his first run in Pattern company in Saturday’s Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes.

William Haggas’ rapidly improving four-year-old won over 10 furlongs for Sir Michael Stoute last season, but his new trainer wasted no time in reverting to sprinting.

He won a six-furlong handicap at the Craven meeting off 87, followed up at the Guineas meeting off 92, was beaten a head off 98 in the Wokingham and won the Bunbury Cup over seven furlongs last time out off the same mark.

Now up to 103, connections feel it is time to test the water at a higher level, starting with this Group Two contest.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to More Thunder’s owner Saeed Suhail, said: “I can’t see why he won’t be up to it, he’s unlucky not to be unbeaten this season.

“Because he’s only been running in handicaps his rating is still pretty low compared to some in the race, but I’d be very disappointed if he wasn’t up to this level.

“He’s very versatile regarding trip. For now I think seven suits him, but I know his jockey (Tom Marquand) thinks he’s at his best over a strong-run six, which is quite hard to believe given Sir Michael started off with him at 10 furlongs.”

With More Thunder in action this weekend, Never So Brave, in the same ownership and trained by Andrew Balding, has the Sky Bet City of York Stakes on his agenda.

“He’ll be going to the new Group One at York, he’s improving with every run and looked good at Ascot,” said Raymond.

Also in contention for the Newbury race are Lennox Stakes winner Witness Stand, the Charlie Appleby pair of Notable Speech and Shadow Of Light, Marco Botti’s Great Generation and Eve Johnson Houghton’s Rage Of Bamby.

A Boy Named Susie lined up for Futurity test

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Donnacha O’Brien is not concerned A Boy Named Susie will be dropping in trip when he lines up in the Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Tom Cooper Irish EBF Futurity Stakes at the Curragh later in the month.

The Starspangledbanner colt was very impressive in giving weight away on his debut in a race at Killarney which has produced the likes of Luxembourg and Lambourn in recent years.

For O’Brien it is a real family affair as A Boy Named Susie is owned by his sister, Ana, who has so far resisted the temptation to cash in after his hugely likeable debut.

“The plan is to go to the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh in about a fortnight,” said O’Brien.

“I don’t think coming back a furlong will bother him. He showed plenty on his debut and that turned into a sprint so it wasn’t really like a mile maiden anyway. I don’t have any concerns coming back to seven.

“There was a lot of interest in him, which was to be expected, but we decided to keep hold of him, for now anyway. Obviously it’s a gamble when you hold on to impressive maiden winners, but we’re keeping him for now anyway.”

Another nice juvenile in the yard is Havana Anna, a Listed winner in good style at Naas last month.

“She’s going to go to Longchamp on August 31 for a Group Three,” said O’Brien.

“We’ve entered her in the Cheveley Park, so long term we see her going back over six, but we wanted to keep her at five for now which is why she’s going to France.”

Falling Snow with trainer Donnacha O'Brien (left)
Falling Snow with trainer Donnacha O’Brien (left) (Brian Lawless/PA)

One of O’Brien’s most promising juveniles last year was Falling Snow, by Justify out of Winter, who made a winning debut against Ballet Slippers, who went on to be third in the Fillies’ Mile. She has not been seen since but her return is imminent.

“She’s on the comeback trial. I’d planned to start her back in the Snow Fairy Stakes on August 30,” he said.

“On paper it looks a very hot race, but there’s not many options for her so it’s possible she runs there. She’ll obviously need the run, we wouldn’t be expecting her to win first time but we need to get her started.

“I think she’ll probably need further in time, but she only won over seven so I wouldn’t send her straight over a mile and a half or anything. This is a  mile and one so this is what I have in my head, for all it will be a tough ask first time out on only her second ever run.”

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