Tag Archive for: Aidan O’Brien

2025 St Leger Trends

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The St Leger is the oldest of the five British flat racing Classics, as well as the longest in trip at Doncaster racecourse.

Run over a distance of 1m6f and for 3 year-olds only this contest is targeted by horses that ran in that season’s Great Voltigeur, with 9 of the last 22 winners having ran in that York race before winning this, while in recent years with seen 9 winning favourites in the last 22 runnings.

Look out for John Gosden-trained horses as this powerful Newmarket stable has won the race four times in the last 22 years, while top Irish handler – Aidan O’Brien has saddled the winner of the St Leger eight times, including 5 of the last 12 seasons with Leading Light, Capri, Kew Gardens, Continuous and last year with Jan Brueghel.

Also note any Godolphin-owned entries as they these famous blue silks have won the final English Classic of the season a staggering seven times.

Here at GEEGEEZ we've got all the key stats ahead of the 2025 renewal - on Saturday 13th September.

Recent St Leger Winners

2024 - Jan Brueghel (11/4 jfav)
2023 - Continuous (3/1)
2022 – Eldar Eldarov (9/2)
2021 – Hurricane Lane (8/11 fav)
2020 – Galileo Chrome (4/1)
2019 – Logician (5/6 fav)
2018 - Kew Gardens (3/1)
2017 - Capri (3/1 fav)
2016 – Harbour Law (22/1)
2015 – Simple Verse (8/1)
2014 – Kingston Hill (9/4 fav)
2013 – Leading Light (7/2 fav)
2012 – Encke (25/1)
2011 – Masked Marvel (15/2)
2010 – Arctic Cosmos (12/1)
2009 – Mastery (14/1)
2008 – Conduit (8/1)
2007 – Lucarno (7/2)
2006 – Sixties Icon (11/8 fav)
2005 – Scorpion (10/11 fav)
2004 – Rule of Law (3/1 jfav)
2003 – Brian Boru (5/4 fav)
2002 – Bollin Eric (7/1)

Key St Leger Trends

20/23 – Placed in the top 3 last time out
20/23 – Had 2 or 3 previous career wins
20/23 – Had never raced at Doncaster before
19/23 – Placed favourites
19/23 – Returned 8/1 or shorter in the betting
18/23 – Had won a Group race before
18/23 – Had won over at least 1m3f before
15/23 – Had 4 or 5 previous runs that season
15/23 – Had never raced over 1m6f or further before
13/23 – Winning distance of 1 length or more
13/23 – Drawn in stall 5 or higher
14/23 – Won last time out
14/23 – Officially rated 109 to 115
10/23 – Winning favourites (2 joint)
9/23 – Ran in the Great Voltigeur last time out (3 won it)
7/23 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien
4/23 – Trained by John Gosden
4/23 – Won by a Godolphin-owned horse (7 wins in total)
4/23 – Ran in the Gordon Stakes last time out (3 won it)
3/23 – Ridden by William Buick
3/23 – Ridden by Ryan Moore
2/23 – Ridden by Andrea Atzeni
2/23 – Winners from stall 1
Godolphin have won the race 7 times
Aidan O’Brien has trained 8 winners of the race
The average winning SP in the last 23 years is 6/1

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Whirl aiming to underline Arc claims with Vermeille victory

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Whirl is among a plethora of horses looking to cement their place in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on a jam-packed card at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

Touched off by stablemate Minnie Hauk in the Oaks, she has since beaten Kalpana in the Pretty Polly in Ireland and ran out an easy winner of the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

She is as low as 6-1 joint-favourite for the Arc in some lists in a market that is sure to have a big shake-up after this weekend.

O’Brien also runs Bedtime Story, who was second to Gezora in the Prix de Diane and that pair meet again.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “It looks a lovely race for her. Obviously, there are some very good fillies in it. It is a very good race, it is a Group One and it will be nice to get this out of the way and see where she fits in for the back end of the season – is she a filly that ends up in the Arc mix?

“She has loads of options and she has been a filly that has just gone from strength to strength this year, physically and mentally. She came through Goodwood very well and her work has been lovely since. Aidan and all the team at home have been delighted with her. Looking forward to tomorrow.”

Francis-Henri Graffard said of Gezora: “This race has been the target ever since she won the Prix de Diane. She worked on the racecourse on Tuesday and everything went smoothly.

“I don’t think the longer distance will be an issue – she’s very relaxed in her races. She’s also proven she can handle any ground.

“This race will help us decide on the rest of her campaign. The Arc is certainly an option, but the Prix de l’Opera is also on the table.”

Christophe Ferland’s Aventure was second to Bluestocking in both the Prix Vermeille and the Arc last season and returns for a second tilt at the former contest after finishing second to Calandagan in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last time out.

“Everything is looking good for Sunday. Maxime Guyon came to work her on Tuesday morning and all went well. Aventure is in great form,” said Ferland.

Los Angeles was a fine third in the Arc last season, having attempted the tough task of making all.

He added another Group One to his record in the Tattersalls Gold Cup earlier this campaign, but O’Brien admitted his King George tactics were wrong and felt he was some way from his best last time out. He runs in the Prix Foy.

“We’re very happy, he only started back at the Curragh (last time) so he was always going to have an easy time. He had an easy time because it was his first run back, then the plan was he would go to France for his next one and it will be a bit harder,” said O’Brien.

“He’s still not all out, there’s more to come, and hopefully he’ll arrive in time for the Arc. The season went downhill a bit at Ascot but the Arc has always been his aim.”

Sosie was one place behind Los Angeles in the Arc and has his first run since finishing sixth in the Eclipse for Andre Fabre.

The Japanese challenger, Byzantine Dream, was second in the Tenno Sho when last seen in May and connections are hoping this will be the perfect stepping stone to the Arc.

His trainer Tomoyasu Sakaguchi, said: “In the Foy, the key is for him to have a good, incident-free race that serves as a springboard to the main goal. His preparation has gone very well. He’s a bit unsettled by the change of environment – his stress levels are higher than they would be in Japan – but we hope he’ll settle quickly.”

Ed Walker’s Almaqam showed his class earlier in the season when beating Ombudsman, but has been frustrated by the dry summer and this will be his first try at 12 furlongs.

“I think the Prix Foy is the right race for him,” said Walker.

“The ground should suit. Several jockeys who’ve ridden him before believe he’ll stay. His pedigree doesn’t make it obvious, but the way he races suggests he should. He’s a dream of a horse for a jockey – you can place him anywhere.

“Sunday will tell us whether he’s an Arc horse or better suited to the Champion Stakes. He’s in phenomenal form.”

The Prix Niel should prove informative too, with Jean-Claude Rouget’s Grand Prix de Paris winner Leffard in a field of eight.

“His preparation went well. Leffard and Arrow Eagle (runs in the Prix Foy) worked together on Monday at Deauville and finished together,” said Rouget.

“I didn’t see the point in running Leffard at Deauville. I think moving the Arc trials up by a week was a great decision – it gives horses more recovery time.”

Aidan O’Brien runs Swagman, not seen since winning the Classic Trial at Sandown, and Aftermath, who is making his seasonal reappearance.

Joseph O’Brien sends over Tennessee Stud, third in the Derby and fourth in the Irish version, with George Scott’s Bay City Roller another who cannot be dismissed trying the trip for the first time.

Gstaad going up in distance in bid to be National hero

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Gstaad is expected to thrive over seven furlongs when he tries the trip for the first time in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh next weekend.

A hugely impressive winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, he met with defeat on his next start in what looked a red-hot Prix Morny at Deauville.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien was encouraged by the way he finished that race off though, and expects him to improve for the step up in trip.

Gstaad was a brilliant winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot
Gstaad was a brilliant winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“Gstaad will love seven furlongs,” said O’Brien. “He went to France but it was a little bit early, he came back heavier than he went so he’s going to be very comfortable at seven, he always was.

“The original plan was that he was going to go to the Curragh for a stiff six (Phoenix Stakes) but we didn’t get to go obviously. The filly (True Love) was to go to Deauville but they had to swap around.

“That was the way it worked but it didn’t suit either, the filly would probably be better over a quick six and he would have been better over a stiff six but that’s the way it was.

“He’s a fair horse, he stays, he’s quick, he’s a big hardy horse and you could see him going through the line at Deauville.”

He may be joined in the National Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival by Italy, second to Gewan in the Acomb Stakes at York.

“It’s possible Italy could join him, he ran well at York. He got back a little bit, he’s still a little immature mentally but we’re happy with him since so it’s a strong possibility he will,” said O’Brien.

Another potentially smart juvenile from the yard is Montreal, who is heading towards the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown a day earlier.

The son of Sea The Stars could be joined by a plethora of stablemates.

“Montreal was very impressive at Leopardstown when he won the last day,” added O’Brien.

“The Frankel horse who won in Killarney is a possible (Benvenuto Cellini) and the Frankel horse that won at the Curragh is a possible (New Zealand), as is the Frankel that won at Galway, Action. We’ve the horse that won at Goodwood by Camelot, Isaac Newton, he’s possible. They’re all possibles.”

Composing is building a fine reputation
Composing is building a fine reputation (Damien Eagers/PA)

Composing looks a very nice type among the fillies and is set to head the Moyglare Stud Stakes team.

He said: “Composing won very well the last day. She’s a very straightforward, honest to God filly.

“She doesn’t mind making the running and you have to follow her because she stays. She’s a good filly so that will be the plan with her.

“Beautify could run, she won a Group Two at the Curragh a while ago but she couldn’t run any more because she had penalties wherever she went. She’d be very happy going up to seven.

“There’s the filly who won at Goodwood as well (Precise) she might go or she might wait.”

Illinois and Jan Brueghel set for Irish St Leger clash

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Two Ballydoyle heavyweights in Illinois and Jan Brueghel are on a collision course in the Comer Group Irish St Leger at the Curragh on Sunday week.

Illinois finished second to Trawlerman in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June and was then beaten by younger stablemate Scandinavia in the Goodwood Cup.

Jan Brueghel beat Illinois by a neck in last year’s St Leger at Doncaster and was too good for Calandagan in this summer’s Coronation Cup, but trainer Aidan O’Brien has admitted to getting his tactics all wrong when he attempted to make all in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Speaking at a press morning at his Ballydoyle Stables ahead of the Irish Champions Festival, O’Brien said: “I think Illinois and Jan Brueghel will take each other on, the lads are very happy for that to happen. They are two older horses.

“We might not have seen the best of Illinois yet because the Gold Cup was a bit hard on him and his preparation up to it might not have been brilliant. He might have felt that a little bit in Goodwood, but we think he’s in a good place again. It might take until next year to get him right back.

“Jan Brueghel, we absolutely made a hash of it in the King George but he’s very well. Obviously he’s very idle in front, he needs something to be running at but he stays very well and he’s in good shape.

“You get plenty of days like Ascot but it’s sport and you have to take the good with the bad, you often learn more from the bad. At least we know what not to do with him any more, we won’t ask him to make his own running. He loves following a horse, stays very well but he is lazy.”

When asked if Jan Brueghel could be a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contender, O’Brien added: “He could be anything if the pace is on. We did the perfect thing with him at Epsom and then the completely wrong thing at Ascot.”

John Velazquez booked for first Melbourne Cup mount

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John Velazquez will add plenty of spice to this year’s Melbourne Cup after it was revealed the Hall of Fame rider will partner Parchment Party, the first American-trained runner to compete in the Flemington showpiece.

There is a strong international challenge amongst the 120 nominations for the ‘race that stops the nation’ but it is Bill Mott’s wide-margin Belmont Gold Cup winner that really shows the global reach of the prestigious contest, with the four-year-old earning his ticket when scoring at Saratoga in June.

Leigh Jordon, the executive general manager of racing for the Victoria Racing Club, spoke of both Velazquez and the international contenders at the release of Melbourne Cup nominations on Tuesday.

He said: “In terms of international horses, we’ve got a really wide representation and probably the widest representation we’ve had for the Cup. We’ve horses from England, Ireland, France, America, Germany and Japan.

“The highlight from the USA is Parchment Party and could he be our first-ever US-trained horse to run in the Melbourne Cup. He won the Grade Two Belmont Gold Cup, which is one of the ‘golden tickets’ into the race.

“He’s trained by Bill Mott who is a Hall of Fame trainer and I’m quite excited to announce that Parchment Party will be ridden by John Velazquez.

“Some of his stats are unbelievable. He’s ridden over 6,700 winners in his career, he is a Hall of Fame jockey and his career earnings are over half a billion US dollars.

“He’s won Kentucky Derbies, he’s won all the Triple Crown races and he’s won over 20 Breeders’ Cup races. He truly is a legend of the sport and it’s great to have him here riding in the Cup on the first Tuesday of November.”

Scandinavia could represent Aidan O'Brien in the Melbourne Cup
Scandinavia could represent Aidan O’Brien in the Melbourne Cup (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Aidan O’Brien missed out on the chance to saddle Jan Brueghel in last year’s Melbourne Cup, but has made three nominations including the mouthwatering prospect of St Leger favourite Scandinavia making the trip to the southern hemisphere later in the autumn.

Mount Kilimanjaro and Aftermath are the other Ballydoyle possibles, while Aidan’s son Joseph O’Brien appears to have leading claims of securing his third victory in the race with stable star Al Riffa, who was subject of a recent big-money transfer to new owners Australian Bloodstock.

Willie Mullins has become a regular visitor to the Spring Carnival and his quest for a first Melbourne Cup success continues with Absurde and Ebor sixth Hipop De Loire.

Meanwhile, former Closutton inmate Vauban is on course to take part in the race once again and is one of three for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, with stablemates Sir Delius and Alalcance both also respected from the home challenge.

Last year’s shock winner Knight’s Choice has the chance to become the first back-to-back winner since Makybe Diva, who famously completed a hat-trick between 2003 and 2005.

Of the other big names searching more success in their country’s most famous race, Ciaron Maher has 13 nominees, including last year’s third Okita Soushi, while multiple Group One scorer Via Sistina is an intriguing name amongst 27 for Chris Waller.

Minnie Hauk charting direct path towards Arc

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Minnie Hauk looks set to chart a direct route to ParisLongchamp next month, with trainer Aidan O’Brien saying the multiple Oaks-winning filly is “on the Arc programme”.

The three-year-old is unbeaten in four starts this term, winning the Listed Cheshire Oaks on her seasonal bow before adding Classic glory at both Epsom and the Curragh, before securing a third Group One success in the Yorkshire Oaks last time out.

Minnie Hauk is as short as 5-1 with Unibet for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and while the filly will have to be supplemented for the October 5 contest, O’Brien has the French contest in his sights.

He said: “We haven’t seen the best of Minnie Hauk at all and you’re not going to see the best of her until the tempo is very strong all the way. Physically she’s getting bigger and stronger.

“We weren’t sure what she was and I thought we’d know this time but we still don’t know, she’s relentless. She’s on the Arc programme.

“The last day was lovely but we didn’t really find out because the second horse (Qilin Queen) pulled back off Wayne  (Lordan, on Garden Of Eden) a little so for half a furlong or a furlong she was in limbo land where we would have preferred if she was behind the pacemaker. But it might have been the best thing in the world because she had a very easy race.

“We think when she goes there she doesn’t do much, that’s the way she is at home. The Arc hopefully will be a strong run race and we’re going to find out. She looks very exiting and is still in the ‘could be anything’ category.”

O’Brien also raised the possibility of the filly’s owners Derrick Smith, John Magnier and Michael Tabor, opting to race on next term if this season finishes on a good note.

He added: “It’s possible she could be kept in training, the lads love racing them if everything is well.”

Aidan O’Brien eager for Ombudsman rematch with Delacroix

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Aidan O’Brien will leave no stone unturned in his attempt to give Delacroix the best possible chance of winning next week’s Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Delacroix overcame trouble in running to catch Ombudsman and win a thrilling Eclipse at Sandown but that rival came out on top in the Juddmonte International at York when Ombudsman’s pacemaker Birr Castle shot clear.

O’Brien intends to run his own pacemaker this time and is keen for John and Thady Gosden to bring Ombudsman to Ireland, where home advantage will be with the Ballydoyle runner.

“I’m very happy, everything has gone well since York. York was a bit of a non-event (for him) really but everything has been good since, so I’m very happy,” said O’Brien.

Delacroix parades before the press at Ballydoyle
Delacroix parades before the press at Ballydoyle (PA)

“He’s very fresh so we’re looking forward to Leopardstown.

“He’s a good horse. We had it in our head that what did happen at York could happen and we were going to follow the pacemaker, but when the Japanese horse (Danon Decile) got in front it kind of changed the whole race.

“We’ve always thought he was a good horse and the ground doesn’t matter to him. He’s very happy on quick ground and he seems very happy with an ease in the ground as well, so I don’t think it matters.

“Hopefully (Ombudsman) will come. Sheikh Mohammed (owner) is probably the greatest sportsman we’ve ever seen, so I know our men will be delighted. We’d love him to come and then it will be a proper race.

“We’ll try to run a pacemaker if John doesn’t run a pacemaker and we’ll make it very straightforward. The pacemaker will go on and Delacroix can follow him and Ombudsman can follow Delacroix if he wants!

“We’ll let them turn into the straight and see what happens, it’s very simple really. For the race and for everybody we want it to happen – win, lose or draw we’ll be delighted.”

Whirl was very impressive at Goodwood in the Nassau Stakes
Whirl was very impressive at Goodwood in the Nassau Stakes (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Top-class filly Whirl also holds an entry in the Irish Champion but will only run if something untoward happens to Delacroix, with the Prix Vermeille her chosen race.

“She’s well, she’s a possible. She’s there as kind of a protective in case Delacroix didn’t run,” said O’Brien.

“It’s very possible that she will go to France for the Vermeille and then she’s had her run if she wants to go for the Arc, so we have our eye on the Vermeille first unless something happened to Delacroix.”

Christophe Soumillon in line for Ballydoyle rides with Ryan Moore injured

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Aidan O’Brien will turn to Christophe Soumillon to help fill some of the Ballydoyle riding plans as stable jockey Ryan Moore continues his recovery from a leg injury.

The trainer announced on Saturday that Moore will be sidelined for an indefinite period of time after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his femur.

Wayne Lordan is the yard’s second rider, but he is currently due to be suspended for 10 days after the Goodwood stewards found him to have used his whip in the incorrect place aboard Prestige Stakes winner Precise.

Lordan has lodged an appeal against that ban, which runs from September 9-18, but with the St Leger meeting at Doncaster and the Irish Champions Festival both taking place next week, O’Brien would still be in need of multiple big-race riders as Delacroix is due to run in the Irish Champion Stakes while Scandinavia is a short-priced Leger favourite.

Asked how plans will change given the news of Moore’s injury, O’Brien said: “Wayne is having his appeal this week and obviously Christophe has ridden a lot for us through the year, all those things are changing at the moment.

“I don’t know how long Ryan is going to be but we will tell him to take as much time as he wants.”

O’Brien has often turned to Soumillon, who was previously retained by the late Aga Khan, for his French runners, with the rider partnering Diego Velazquez to win last month’s Prix Jacques le Marois while he also rode two Group One winners for the team on Arc weekend last year.

The trainer added: “Christophe has always been (part of the plans). He’s not tied down to anybody now.

“He’s a world-class jockey everywhere, he’s been riding for us a lot since he’s been released.”

Mission Central accomplished in Curragh victory

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Mission Central blasted out of the stalls and never saw another rival to win the Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes in taking fashion at the Curragh.

The son of No Nay Never is a rarity in that he hails from Aidan O’Brien’s yard and has a blue-blood pedigree but is a gelding, having shown wayward tendencies when making his debut at Dundalk in April when only fifth of six.

Following a 120-day break he reappeared at the Curragh earlier this month and absolutely bolted up.

With Wayne Lordan replacing the injured Ryan Moore, by halfway Mission Central had everything bar Ipanema Queen off the bridle.

Wayne Lordan stepped in to replace Ryan Moore on Mission Central
Wayne Lordan stepped in to replace Ryan Moore on Mission Central (Damien Eagers/PA)

With a furlong to run Listed winner Ipanema Queen could not keep up, but Mission Central (11-8 favourite) clearly has a quirk or two still left as his head began to get a bit higher and he was beginning to pull himself up.

That allowed Joseph O’Brien’s newcomer The Publican’s Son to make rapid headway and close to within three-quarters of a length and while that was a very promising debut, the market leader held on.

“Wayne said, unusually, he was still green,” said O’Brien, who pointed towards an outing at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting.

“He said he was there at halfway and he was waiting. He said he has a lot of natural speed.

“He learned a bit today, he had to get down and knuckle down.

“I’d say he’s quick, five would be no problem to him, and that’s slow ground.

“Wayne said he felt he was only hacking and the lads in the race felt they were flying, that’s the sign of a speed horse.

“I suppose he could be a Flying Childers-type of horse, he’s very fast and I’d imagine that’s the type of horse he is.”

Hawk Mountain (left) gradually pulled clear to win the opener
Hawk Mountain (left) gradually pulled clear to win the opener (Damien Eagers/PA)

O’Brien’s Hawk Mountain looks a nice middle-distance type for next year having opened his account at the second time of asking in the John Ormonde Wexford Sand Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden.

Fifth on his debut, he made every yard of the running under Lordan to justify 10-11 favouritism.

He holds entries in the Beresford Stakes and the Dewhurst, but that would represent a drop in trip having won over a mile on this occasion.

“I’m delighted with him, he came forward lovely from the first day,” said O’Brien.

“He’s a lovely straightforward horse.”

Injury means Ryan Moore could miss the rest of the season

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Ryan Moore may miss the rest of the Flat season with a stress fracture to his femur.

Moore was booked to ride at the Curragh on Saturday, but was taken off all his mounts by midday.

Moore is retained jockey for Aidan O’Brien’s powerful Ballydoyle yard, with the Coolmore operation now facing the prospect of being without one of the world’s best jockeys for the business end of the campaign, with countless big races on the horizon.

Aidan O'Brien with Ryan Moore
Aidan O’Brien with Ryan Moore (Niall Carson/PA)

O’Brien said: “Ryan is good, he was having plenty of trouble with his right leg since Irish Derby weekend.

“They were doing everything to it to try to get it right, but they couldn’t get it right so he went for scans and an X-ray on it yesterday. He has a fracture in his femur.

“Since the Irish Derby weekend he’s been struggling with it, but he’s been doing his best with it.

“When they found a stress fracture in his femur that was the answer. There is only one thing that is going to fix it and that’s time.”

When asked if he expected him to ride again this season, O’Brien said: “He’d be very lucky, I’d say.

Ryan Moore with Queen Camilla at York earlier this month
Ryan Moore with Queen Camilla at York earlier this month (Ian Forsyth/PA)

“We’ve plenty of jockeys and the lads are all there, Wayne (Lordan) is gone (suspended) for Irish Champions Festival at the moment, but all the usual people, yhey’re all there, so everyone will row in.”

He went on: “Ryan runs a lot and they think it could be running and that might have originally started it. Then in Germany, when he was going to the start on the filly (Garden Of Eden at Dusseldorf) she whipped around and he landed on his feet and it could have aggravated it and opened it up.

“They have been treating him for a lot of different stuff, the back of his knee and they thought he had burst something at the back of his heel, and they thought it might be ligaments and all this different stuff.

“It was only when he got whatever kind of a scan he had yesterday that they realised he had a fracture to his femur, so that was that.

“In all fairness to him, he’s been riding for probably two months with a fracture to his femur. Talk about concrete, that man is concrete. But with a little bit of time, he’ll be back.”

Moulin option for The Lion In Winter revival mission

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The Lion In Winter could be set for a quick return to France for the Prix du Moulin on September 7.

Favourite during the off season for both the 2000 Guineas and Derby, so far his season has not gone to plan.

Beaten as an odds-on favourite in the Dante, he was also well held in the Derby before being narrowly touched off in the Prix Jean Prat over seven furlongs.

He then proved disappointing again back up to a mile in the Prix Jacques le Marois when attempting to make all.

Despite that latest reversal, the son of Sea The Stars could now be set for further Group One action on the continent, with O’Brien confident a mile is his forte.

O’Brien said: “He’s good. We went in front on him and he didn’t like it.

“I’d say he’s probably a miler but he probably needs to take his time a little bit in his races.

“He could go back to France for the race over a mile, the Moulin, that could be him but we have others for it like Henri (Matisse) so it’s whether he runs with him or not, depending on what the lads want to do.”

Precise moment comes with Prestige Stakes victory

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Precise proved well named as she enhanced her reputation by taking perfect aim at the Virgin Bet Prestige Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood.

Off the mark at the second attempt at Cork earlier this month, Aidan O’Brien’s youngster was sent off 5-2 second-favourite on this raiding mission in the hands of Wayne Lordan.

Never far away from the pace, the daughter of Starspangledbanner fought her way to the front with a furlong to run and showed a tremendous attitude to repel the persistent challenge of Sir Mark Prescott’s 13-8 market leader Moon Target, scoring by three-quarters of a length.

It was O’Brien’s first win in the Group Three event, a race that serves as a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf at Del Mar in November. Paddy Power make her 25-1 from 40s for next year’s 1000 Guineas.

Lordan said: “She’s a very professional filly, she ran over six furlongs at Fairyhouse the first day and learned plenty and then stepped up to seven furlongs and won her maiden quite well.

“We always thought she could win her maiden at six and then go up in trip, but as it happened she won her maiden at seven. She has pace and what you like about her is when I get down into her she gets seven quite well.

“She looked comfortable and when I hit the front about a furlong out she pricked one ear so she was hanging on to a little bit which is always a nice sign as it shows she wasn’t doing the full limit, so that was good.”

Precise in action at Goodwood
Precise in action at Goodwood (Steven Paston/PA)

On possible future plans, he added: “I’ll leave running plans to them (Aidan and the owners), they’ve been at it years and do it very well, I’m happy to just turn up when I’m asked to.

“She’s a filly with pace, but like I say, we always thought seven would be a nice trip for her and today she travelled good. She hit the line well enough where you would think going up another furlong would be an option as well.”

Moon Target went into the race with a lofty reputation after impressing at both Newmarket and Yarmouth so far this summer.

However, she never quite looked at ease on the track and was unable to join the Heath House master’s Red Camellia on the roll of honour, instead joining the handler’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Alpinista on the list of those beaten in this race when well fancied.

Moon Target lost her unbeaten record
Moon Target lost her unbeaten record (Steven Paston/PA)

“I thought there was a lot to be disappointed about because I hoped she would win,” Prescott told ITV Racing.

“She’s a long-striding filly and I just felt little bits and pieces went wrong, I still thought she would beat Aidan’s filly a furlong out but she kept on going very well.

“I always thought early on she was a firm ground filly and I’m maybe wrong, but she’s got a very long action so perhaps Goodwood doesn’t suit her as much as Newmarket and Yarmouth and perhaps it’s more that than the ground, that’s just my theory.

“She will run in the Fillies’ Mile probably and hope she can do better there. I was disappointed she was beat, but she probably ran OK.”

Aidan O’Brien eyeing Leger date for Derby hero Lambourn

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The Betfred St Leger appears to be the most likely next port of call for Lambourn after the dual Derby winner’s defeat in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien raised Britain’s oldest Classic and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as possible options for his Epsom and Curragh hero prior to his trip to the Knavesmire, but the son of Australia was beaten into fifth place at Group Two level.

The Ballydoyle handler houses the red-hot favourite for the St Leger in Goodwood Cup winner Scandinavia, but Lambourn is also under serious consideration for the Doncaster showpiece on September 13.

O’Brien said: “The Voltigeur was only a sprint down the straight and was a waste of a race really. They only hacked and it was just a day at the races.

“It is very possible that he will go for the St Leger. He didn’t even blow after the race. We just needed to get a race into him.”

On the same day Lambourn could be in action at Doncaster, O’Brien plans to saddle Delacroix for what he hopes will be a third successive clash with Ombudsman in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Delacroix was a narrow winner when the pair met in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown in early July, but Ombudsman turned the tables in a fascinating Juddmonte International on Wednesday after the latter’s pacemaker Birr Castle slipped the field before being reeled in late.

Of Delacroix, O’Brien added: “He’s good, hopefully it will be back to Leopardstown and hopefully John (Gosden) and Sheikh Mohammed will come (with Ombudsman), we’ll have something to look forward to then.

“York was just a Mickey Mouse race really.”

Constitution River too strong for Futurity rivals

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Constitution River made all the running to continue Aidan O’Brien’s domination of the the Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Tom Cooper Irish EBF Futurity Stakes.

Giant’s Causeway (1999), Hawk Wing (2001), Gleneagles (2014) and Henri Matisse (2024) are among 17 previous winners of the Group Two contest for the Ballydoyle handler and Constitution River was a 5-6 favourite to add to his tally under Wayne Lordan.

A close second on his Newmarket debut before bolting up at the Galway Festival, the Wootton Bassett colt put that experience to good use up the Curragh straight, bowling along in front before going through the gears with two furlongs to run to leave his four rivals trailing in his wake.

Course-and-distance winner Geryon did his best to go with the leader, but Constitution River was well on top as he passed the post with two lengths in hand.

He said: “He’s a lovely, straightforward horse. He’d a lovely run first time and was still very green when he won the next day.

“Wayne gave him a lovely ride, and he quickened well.”

Paddy Power make Constitution River a 14-1 shot for next year’s 2000 Guineas, with O’Brien looking to move up to Group One level now.

He added: “Obviously you have to look at the National Stakes with him, and he’s going to be very happy going up in trip whenever that time comes.”

Morny magic on the cards from Gstaad and company

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Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad is Aidan O’Brien’s chosen representative as he goes in search of a sixth victory in what looks a mouthwatering edition of the Sumbe Prix Morny on Sunday.

Johannesburg (2001), Blackbeard (2022) and Whistlejacket (2024) are the Ballydoyle handler’s last three winners of the juvenile Group One at Deauville and in Gstaad he saddles another leading contender.

The Starspangledbanner colt got the better of his top-class stablemate True Love when making a winning debut at Navan in May and followed up with a dominant victory at Royal Ascot the following month.

Having since missed a planned rematch with True Love in the Phoenix Stakes, Gstaad has been rerouted to France and O’Brien said: “All has been good with him so far after he had to miss the Phoenix.

“I don’t think the ground matters to him, it was beautiful ground at Deauville last week anyway so that would suit him.

“He’s been good and I think there’s improvement in him since the Coventry.”

Gstaad renews rivalry with the Clive Cox-trained Coppull, who was just over three lengths behind when third in the Coventry and has since impressed in winning the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

Cox said: “We were thrilled with his success in the Richmond and he’s pleased me since.

“I think it was very much a step forward with more experience at Goodwood and I think the track was more able to showcase his ability.

“I’m very pleased he’s in great nick for Sunday, fingers crossed the ground will be fine and I’m very much looking forward to it.”

The only filly in the six-strong field is Venetian Sun, who since making a successful start to her career at Carlisle has landed the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket, beating Thursday’s Lowther Stakes winner Royal Fixation on the latter occasion.

Trainer Karl Burke said: “I’m looking forward to it. She’s travelled over there and as long as she gets in the paddock in the shape she left I’ll be very happy.

“She’s in great form and obviously her form is rock solid. Her form all along has been franked and apart from True Love, who blotted her copybook in the Phoenix the other day, she probably has the best juvenile filly form going so far this season.

“We think she goes there with a big chance and we’ll see how good she is.”

Further strength in depth is added by Charlie Appleby’s Wise Approach, who was second to O’Brien’s Charles Darwin in the Norfolk Stakes at the Royal meeting before routing the opposition in Newbury’s Rose Bowl in mid-July.

Speaking on the Godolphin website, Appleby said: “Wise Approach was impressive on his last performance. He needs to step up again in this company, but we feel he has the ability.

“The style of race and track at Deauville should suit and hopefully he gets a nice, sound surface. It is a strong field and a great race to participate in.”

Meanwhile, American raider Outfielder bids to provide Wesley Ward with his fourth Morny success, with jockey David Egan thrilled to be aboard the exciting youngster as retained rider for Amo Racing, who own the Speightstown colt together with former MLB star Jayson Werth and Ward himself.

“Yeah (I’m excited),” Egan said. “I sat on him the other morning, feels great and can’t wait.

“He was meant to race at Royal Ascot so it’s been a long time coming.

“He’s won a maiden so he’s got to step up big, but he’s the type of horse that Wesley knows what he’s doing, he’s prepared well, travelled over good, looks a picture and goes there in great form, so fingers crossed he’s good enough.”

There is one sole French-trained runner in the race with Henri-Francois Devin’s Imperial Me Cen.