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 seven times, including 4 of the last 11 seasons with Leading Light, Capri, Kew Gardens and last year with Continuous.
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 2024 renewal.
19/22 – Placed in the top 3 last time out
19/22 – Had 2 or 3 previous career wins
19/22 – Had never raced at Doncaster before
18/22 – Placed favourites
18/22 – Returned 8/1 or shorter in the betting
17/22 – Had won a Group race before
17/22 – Had won over at least 1m3f before
15/22 – Had 4 or 5 previous runs that season
14/22 – Had never raced over 1m6f or further before
13/22 – Winning distance of 1 length or more
13/22 – Drawn in stall 5 or higher
13/22 – Won last time out
13/22 – Officially rated 109 to 115
9/22 – Winning favourites (1 joint)
9/22 – Ran in the Great Voltigeur last time out (3 won it)
6/22 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien
4/22 – Trained by John Gosden
4/22 – Ridden by Frankie Dettori (6 wins in total)
4/22 – Won by a Godolphin-owned horse (7 wins in total)
3/22 – Ran in the Gordon Stakes last time out (2 won it)
3/22 – Ridden by William Buick
3/22 – Ridden by Ryan Moore
2/22 – Ridden by Andrea Atzeni
2/22 – Winners from stall 1
Godolphin have won the race 7 times
Aidan O’Brien has trained 7 winners of the race
The average winning SP in the last 22 years is 6/1
================================================
TRAINERS-QUOTES.COM
GET THE BEST DAILY TRAINER INFO FROM 13 TOP STABLES - Sent direct to your in-box!
Aidan O’Brien holds all the aces as Illinois, Jan Brueghel and Grosvenor Square bid to give him an eighth victory in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster.
Successful with Continuous 12 months ago, the master of Ballydoyle has taken home the trophy for the world’s oldest Classic three times in the last 10 years.
Illinois is attempting to do what Leading Light (2013) and Kew Gardens (2018) have done in the past and follow up victory in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot with Classic glory on Town Moor.
Last seen finishing a neck second to stablemate Los Angeles at York, he will be partnered by Wayne Lordan – who having twice won the 1000 Guineas on a Ballydoyle second string, now gets first pick with Ryan Moore required at Leopardstown.
O’Brien told the sponsors: “We’re very happy with him. We always thought he’d stay, he won at Ascot over a mile and six and he ran very well in the Voltigeur which we felt was a lovely trial for him.
“Wayne rode him that day and was very happy with him. Nice ground is important to him, he’s closely related to an Arc winner (Danedream) so he has a lot of class, we think and hope the Leger will suit him well. We would have run him in the Derby, but City Of Troy was there. We’ve had the Leger in mind for a long time for him.”
Another rider picking up a big-race opportunity for O’Brien is Sean Levey who spent his formative years based with the Tipperary handler and has excelled this season for his primary boss Richard Hannon aboard Rosallion.
He has already steered Lake Victoria to Group-level success for Ballydoyle this season and now partners the unbeaten Jan Brueghel, who showed plenty of fight to grind out victory over Andrew Balding’s Nashville Derby hero Bellum Justum at Goodwood last month.
Jan Brueghel (left) winning the John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)
O’Brien said: “He was very green the last day at Goodwood when the track didn’t really suit him, which can happen, but he got the trip well despite being the first off the bridle.
“We think he has improved a good bit since Goodwood. The form has worked out, it was a tough race for him but he dealt with it and was on top at the line. A long straight will suit him.”
The final piece of the O’Brien jigsaw is Grosvenor Square, an emphatic winner of the Irish St Leger Trial, and with stamina assured, he could attempt to put his rivals to the sword from the front.
“He could be very different, a difficult horse to deal with if you are riding against him,” added O’Brien.
“If you let him go he might not come back and if you let him go he might kill you. He’s unbelievable, he has an awful lot of stamina, a very high cruising speed and very genuine. He’s a very rare horse and I think he’s very exciting for people to watch.
“He will make the Leger a very tough race, I think people will want to watch him from everywhere because he wears his heart on his sleeve. We always felt making the running would suit him but he was too weak to do it earlier in the season.”
The sole filly in the field is also the only Classic winner heading to post, as Ralph Beckett’s Irish Oaks heroine You Got To Me lines up against the colts having been supplemented at a cost of £50,000.
It was ironically her effort when narrowly beaten in the Yorkshire Oaks that convinced connections to consider this contest and with her handler happy with both conditions in South Yorkshire and the filly’s well-being, the decision was made to roll the dice.
You Got To Me (left) winning the Irish Oaks (Niall Carson/PA)
“All things considered it seemed the right move and it was all to down to the filly’s well-being really. Ralph gave that the thumbs up just before supplementation time,” said Alex Elliott, racing adviser to Valmont, who own the filly in partnership with Newsells Park Stud.
“We go there with solid chance of hitting the board I think and if she could be placed or better in another Classic then all power to her.
“After the Curragh, Hector (Crouch, jockey) and Ralph felt they had a good handle on her moving forward and it looked that way at York. It was just about a career best at York.
“She’s had quite a long year, but if Ralph is happy and thinks she’s happy then we’re all for having a go. Hopefully the ground will hold and we’re all really looking forward to it.”
Deira Mile in action in the Derby (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Deira Mile was fourth behind City Of Troy in the Derby, but Owen Burrows has always felt staying would be his forte and the son of Camelot now has the chance to prove his handler right.
“There’s only five Classics each year, so they’re hard to win. I was fifth in the Guineas and fourth in the Derby, so hopefully we can go a few places better on Saturday,” said Burrows.
“It’s always good to have a runner in a Classic and if he could reproduce his fourth in the Derby then I think he will have an each-way chance.
“Staying looked his strong point in the Derby and he had to make plenty of ground up so I think the move up in trip will suit him.
Trainer Owen Burrows is dreaming of Classic glory (Mike Egerton/PA)
“It was a messy race at Windsor and only over a mile, three and a half. So I’m hoping this trip will suit him more. It wasn’t the end of the world to get beat and he has taken a nice step forward at home.
“It would have been a long wait to not run from the Derby and the Leger and he would have had to go and have a racecourse gallop somewhere, so I’m much happier to have got a run under his belt. Fingers crossed that has done the job and we go there with a nice each-way shout I hope.”
It would be fitting in the week Burrows’ mentor Sir Michael Stoute announced his impending retirement if he could follow in his footsteps and lift the St Leger trophy aloft.
Burrows added: “I was working for Sir Michael when he won it with Conduit. The only thing is it took him about 20 attempts to win it, so I hope it doesn’t take me that many! That was a good day and if we could get our name on the trophy it’d be great.”
David Menuisier will saddle Sunway in the St Leger (Simon Marper/PA)
Also bidding to honour their former boss is David Menuisier who spent time with John Dunlop before forging his own successful training career and after a year of near misses in the top contests, will saddle Sunway.
Speaking before this British Champions Series race, he said: “It would mean the world to me to win a Classic, and especially the St Leger, as it’s the oldest Classic and is the representation of what I really love – those nice, middle-distance staying races. Also it’s a race my old boss John Dunlop won a few times, with Moon Madness, Silver Patriarch and Millenary.
“I’m trying not to think about it. We try not to get ahead of ourselves, as we’ve burned our fingers before and it will be hard to win, with Aidan sending some proper horses, and a filly (You Got To Me) who could be good too, but it’s a challenge we are keen to grasp.
“He’s had a mini break (since Ascot) and a bit of a chance to grow into himself, and I’d like to think he’s in the best possible shape. I think if anything the extra distance could be a plus, although he’s not really bred for it.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/276576495-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-13 13:44:512024-09-14 06:20:08Illinois leading O’Brien’s team for glory in world’s oldest Classic
Ghostwriter is in “excellent form” ahead of taking his place amongst a high-class cast of eight for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for half the field in a race he has won five years on the bounce, with his two most recent winners, Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg, joined by Irish Derby hero Los Angeles and outsider Hans Anderson, who is anticipated to take up his usual pacemaking duties.
However, there is also a strong British challenge this year, fronted by William Haggas’ Economics, who confirmed the promise of his impressive Dante victory in Deauville’s Prix Guillaume d’Ornano.
Economics is one of three British contenders for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)
Joining Economics on the journey across the Irish Sea is Clive Cox’s admirably consistent Ghostwriter, who finished fourth in both the 2000 Guineas and Prix du Jockey Club before claiming minor honours behind City Of Troy in the Eclipse and Juddmonte International Stakes.
O’Brien’s all-conquering son of Justify misses this assignment as he tunes-up for Breeders’ Cup action later in the autumn and although there is still a formidable Ballydoyle contingent for Ghostwriter to face, his handler is happy with his contender heading into the feature event.
“Ghostwriter is on his way over to Ireland as we speak and I’m really pleased with him,” said Cox.
Clive Cox will saddle Ghostwriter in Ireland on Saturday (John Walton/PA)
“He’s in excellent form and has come back really happily from York, where he ran a blinder. Hopefully conditions remain on the good side in Leopardstown.
“Better ground will play to his strengths and that is why we are very much looking forward to be heading over.”
Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme completes the trio of British raiders, while Japan’s Shin Emperor has made the journey from the Far East to take part in this Group One event, with Yoshito Yahagi’s colt set for an anticipated tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next month.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/273951144-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-12 10:28:522024-09-12 10:28:52Ghostwriter out to end O’Brien’s Irish Champion monopoly
Aidan O’Brien will fire a three-strong team at the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday as seven were declared for the final Classic of the season.
The Ballydoyle squad is headed by Royal Ascot winner Illinois, who subsequently chased home stablemate and Irish Derby winner Los Angeles in the Great Voltigeur at York.
Los Angeles was not declared for Doncaster, as anticipated.
As well as Illinois, O’Brien has two other colts gunning for glory who would be stable stars in most yards.
Jan Brueghel is unbeaten in three outings (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Jan Brueghel is unbeaten in three outings, including in the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time out.
Also representing Ballydoyle is Grosvenor Square, who has slowly come to the boil this season but exploded with a 20-length victory in the Irish St. Leger Trial last time out.
The opposition is headed by David Menuisier’s Sunway, the mount of Christophe Soumillon.
He was narrowly denied by Los Angeles in the Irish Derby and then not disgraced against older horses in the King George at Ascot.
Oisin Murphy has been Sunway’s regular rider but misses the British Champions Series event to ride in Canada on Saturday.
Sunway (noseband) was not beaten far in the Irish Derby (Damien Eagers/PA)
“Oisin rang me last week and told me that he had to go to Canada, so that gave me time to look around on what is one of the busiest of weekends,” said Menuisier.
“Luckily Christophe was available, and that’s great news. He’s ridden for me twice this year and they both won, at Clairefontaine and Dieppe.”
Owen Burrows’ Deira Mile was fourth in the Derby to City Of Troy and promises to be suited by stepping up in trip while the real fly in the ointment is the filly, Ralph Beckett’s You Got To Me.
She won the Irish Oaks at the Curragh and was supplemented following her brave attempt to follow up in the Yorkshire Oaks.
The Andrew Balding-trained Wild Waves completes the field.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/276576495-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-12 09:24:402024-09-12 09:55:08Aidan O’Brien to field St Leger trio as seven declared
Economics and Auguste Rodin are among 12 high-class contenders left in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at the confirmation stage for Saturday’s Leopardstown showpiece.
Trained by William Haggas and Aidan O’Brien respectively, Economics will be having his first start at Group One level, while in contrast last year’s winner Auguste Rodin is in search of his seventh Group One triumph.
O’Brien also retains the option of Irish Derby hero Los Angeles, 2022 winner Luxembourg, Continuous and Hans Andersen.
Auguste Rodin (left) beats Luxembourg in last year’s Irish Champion Stakes (Damien Eagers/PA)
Japanese raider Shin Emperor adds further spice, with Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter and Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme furthering the British challenge.
A strong French contingent is in prospect, with Zarakem and Facteur Cheval left in by Jerome Reynier, while Metropolitan, the French 2000 Guineas winner, is still possible for Mario Baratti.
The first of six Group Ones across the two-day Irish Champions Festival is the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes, for which 14 fillies have stood their ground.
Donnacha O’Brien’s Porta Fortuna will line up chasing a Group One hat-trick after landing the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Falmouth at Newmarket, while the Burke-trained Fallen Angel – who beat Porta Fortuna in the Moyglare Stud Stakes 12 months ago – is set to make her first appearance since claiming Classic glory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas in May.
George Boughey’s Soprano could also travel from Britain, Jancis is set to put her unbeaten record on the line for Willie McCreery and Aidan O’Brien will rely on Ylang Ylang.
Sunday’s Curragh card is centred around the Comer Group International Irish St Leger, in which Ballydoyle’s star stayer Kyprios takes top billing.
The six-year-old was a beaten odds-on favourite when defending his crown in last year’s renewal, but has reestablished himself as the top dog in the division by winning each of his four starts this season, including big-race victories in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Goodwood Cup.
He might not have things all his own way this weekend, with his high-class stablemate Continuous among his potential rivals along with Marco Botti’s Giavellotto and the Willie Mullins-trained Vauban.
Bradsell and jockey Hollie Doyle after winning the Nunthorpe at York (Mike Egerton/PA)
Archie Watson’s dual Group One winner Bradsell heads the British challenge for the Group One Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes, with George Boughey’s Believing and Ken Condon’s defending champion Moss Tucker also among the 20 contenders.
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for six of the eight fillies in the mix for the Moyglare Stud Stakes, with the unbeaten Bedtime Story the likely favourite.
Promising stern opposition though are the Ger Lyons-trained course and distance winner Red Letter and Simmering, who has been supplemented by Ollie Sangster after winning a Group Three at Ascot and a Group Two in France on her last two starts.
O’Brien’s Henri Matisse heads a potential field of 10 runners in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes. The dual Group Two winner could be joined by stable companions Rock Of Cashel and The Parthenon, while Joseph O’Brien has both Cowardofthecounty and Scorthy Champ in the mix.
Hill Road is another worthy participant for Adrian Murray, while Charlie Appleby has supplemented the Vintage Stakes winner Aomori City, meaning he could head a British trio comprising of Wolf Of Badenoch and Seagulls Eleven, both trained by Hugo Palmer.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/276290242-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-10 14:39:112024-09-10 14:39:11Economics and Auguste Rodin remain on collision course
Ralph Beckett said the prospect of a good-ground Betfred St Leger helped him decide to supplement Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me for the final Classic of the season at Doncaster.
Beckett is not shy of running fillies against the colts in the Town Moor showpiece, winning it with Simple Verse, finishing second with Talent and third with Look Here.
Owners Valmont and Newsells Park Stud paid the £50,000 to add her name to the list of remaining entries, taking it to 10 at Monday’s confirmation stage.
“I don’t think stamina will be an issue,” said Beckett. “She seems in good shape. We’re conscious that her best form is on good ground or faster and it looks like being that at the weekend if the forecast is correct.
“It felt like a good fit for her.
“We’ve been first, second and third with fillies in the Leger. I wouldn’t say we’ve always got it right, but it is certainly not a race that holds any fears, for sure.”
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for five of the remaining entries.
He has won the world’s oldest Classic seven times already, but still has some way to go to match the record of 16 victories of John Scott, set between 1827 and 1862.
The first three in the ante-post betting are all trained at Ballydoyle.
Jan Brueghel beat Bellum Justum at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Great Voltigeur runner-up and Royal Ascot winner Illinois heads the team and is set to be the mount of O’Brien’s number two jockey Wayne Lordan, with Ryan Moore choosing to go to Leopardstown to ride Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Another huge player is the unbeaten Jan Brueghel, the winner of all three of his races to date, including the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, form which was subsequently franked by the runner-up Bellum Justum, who won the Nashville Derby on his next outing.
The third big Ballydoyle chance is Grosvenor Square, an incredibly easy winner of the Irish St Leger Trial last time out. Bounced out into an early lead, he went further and further clear, scoring by 20 lengths.
Irish Derby and Great Voltigeur winner Los Angeles has been left in by O’Brien but is being aimed at the Irish Champion Stakes.
Euphoric could also represent the dominant stable.
Sunway (noseband) was narrowly beaten by Los Angeles in the Irish Derby (Damien Eagers/PA)
David Menuisier’s Sunway went close behind Los Angeles in the Irish Derby and the in-form trainer is looking forward to seeing him run in another Classic, having finished fourth in the King George in the interim.
“He is all on track, we are very pleased with him and we have confirmed him this morning,” said Menuisier.
“Everything has gone as we would have liked and we are really looking forward to running him on Saturday.”
Deira Mile is another with a live chance for Owen Burrows.
Fourth in the Derby behind City Of Troy, he was narrowly beaten in a Listed race on his return to action from a mid-season break over an inadequate trip.
Andrew Balding’s Wild Waves has also been left in by connections, as has Charlie Johnston’s Align The Stars, but there was no sign of the Bahrain Trophy winner Ancient Wisdom.
An update on Godolphin’s X account read: “Ancient Wisdom will not be confirmed for the @DoncasterRaces St Leger Stakes at today’s five-day stage. The horse is in good form, but will instead be aimed at an autumn campaign with his favoured ground conditions.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/277192496.jpg10442089Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-09 12:19:502024-09-09 12:19:50Irish Oaks heroine You Got To Me supplemented for St Leger
Aidan O’Brien will step Ballet Slippers up in grade before the season is out after she outclassed her rivals at Ascot on Friday.
Impeccably-bred as a daughter of Dubawi out of the seven-time Group One winner Minding, the youngster finished third behind the exciting Red Letter on her Curragh debut before being caught late on by the also-promising Falling Snow at the same track last month.
On the strength of that form, Ballet Slippers was a prohibitively-priced 1-4 shot for the Wesco Anixter EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes and duly went straight to the lead under Ryan Moore.
Kylie Of Lochalsh briefly loomed up looking a threat early in the home straight, but her challenge petered out soon after and with the rail to help, the market leader galloped on strongly to see off an encouraging effort from newcomer Music Piece by a length.
Sparkling pedigree!
Ballet Slippers, who is a daughter of Dubawi and Magical, gets off the mark on the third attempt at @Ascot for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien… pic.twitter.com/b6oj41UbDn
Paddy Power cut Ballet Slippers to 8-1 from 10-1 for the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket on October 11, while offering 20-1 for both next season’s 1000 Guineas and the Oaks.
O’Brien was not at Ascot, but said: “We’re delighted with her and think she’s going to be a lovely middle-distance filly for next year.
“She’s a lovely, genuine, straightforward filly really and I’m delighted that she’s won and handled an ease in the ground.
“We might have a look at a Listed or Group race next and see where we are, but really we’re thinking she’s a middle-distance filly for next year.”
Jockey James Doyle in the Wathnan Racing silks (David Davies/PA)
James Doyle enjoyed a double on the card, steering Calla Lagoon (9-2) to victory in the Charbonnel Et Walker British EBF Maiden Stakes for Ralph Beckett before striking gold for his main employers Wathnan Racing aboard Diego Ventura in the Juddmonte British EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.
The latter was making his stable debut for Hamad Al Jehani, having being snapped up by his Qatari-based owners after making a winning start to his career at Naas in July for Gavin Cromwell.
A 6-5 favourite to follow up on his British bow, Diego Ventura was delivered with his challenge in the final furlong by Doyle and got the better of a protracted duel with Spirit Of Farhh by a head.
“He didn’t begin all that good and with green horses around me going every which way we got spat out the back, so we had to go to plan B and try to teach him,” the jockey told Sky Sports Racing.
“Obviously it was a disadvantage being drawn where we were, so I’d planned to get as near to this rail as we could, I just didn’t think we’d be nearly last trying to do it!
“It’s only his second start and he showed the will to win when he needed it. He was giving chunks of weight away to the second horse, so it’s all positive.”
Serena Brotherton after winning the Queen Mother’s Cup at York (Nigel French/PA)
Terries Royale discovered his second wind to ensure Serena Brotherton emerged triumphant in the LK Bennett Lady Amateur Jockeys Handicap.
Mick Appleby’s charge was bidding to provide her 53-year-old rider with a ladies’ race double after she secured her fourth Queen’s Mother’s Cup at York in May, a race which traditionally sees the successful jockey win their weight in champagne.
Terries Royale (6-1) looked booked for minor honours after being challenged and passed by the Becky Smith-ridden 7-2 favourite Shaladar, but rallied late on to get back up and score by a neck.
Brotherton said: “It was a really brave performance (to come back), but it was my fault – he’s taken me into the race and got there and has been a bit green and thought ‘what do I do’?
“When Becky came, he had something then to concentrate on and he’s run and been really gutsy. He’s seen it out really well and loved the ground.
“You can’t buy this feeling. Any winner anywhere is special, but when it’s Ascot it’s probably even more special, especially after York this year – you never get the two good ones in the same season, so it’s magic.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/8d42a4c3-5671-40ba-8931-55ee7486ee84.jpg11832367Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-06 15:24:142024-09-06 15:24:14Ballet Slippers tip-toes her way to success at Ascot
Southwell is gearing up to welcome City Of Troy’s legions of fans after confirming the public will be able to attend the Derby winner’s racecourse gallop later this month.
Aidan O’Brien had long mooted a trip to the Nottinghamshire track to test his Breeders’ Cup Classic aspirant on a synthetic surface before the anticipated climax of his career at Del Mar.
The impressive Juddmonte International Stakes winner will enjoy an away day to the Rolleston venue on September 20, where O’Brien hopes to replicate conditions his Group One star will face in California.
Betfred Derby ✅Coral Eclipse Stakes ✅Juddmonte International Stakes ✅
City of Troy, from 2000 Guineas disappointment to winning the Juddmonte in a course-record time 🙌 pic.twitter.com/36T19Z9Hq9
American starting stalls and a crack team of stablemates will join City Of Troy at Southwell as he is put through his paces ahead of his trans-Atlantic assignment, with Ballydoyle also suggesting they would be happy for the racing public to come along and witness what could be the Justify colt’s final action on UK soil.
Mark Clayton, executive director at Southwell, has now confirmed the racecourse is planning on opening the gates for the masses, who will need to register for a free ticket to the event once arrangements for the gallop have been finalised.
He said: “We have decided that on September 20, everybody will be welcome to come and watch City Of Troy.
“We haven’t got the times yet of when he will gallop, but once we have that, we will release a statement with the relevant information.
“All of the public are welcome for free, they will just need to pre-register on our website.
“That is not live yet and until that is confirmed, we won’t be accepting bookings, but we are expecting arrangements to be confirmed ASAP, then it will go live on our website. We will look after everybody and what an occasion it will be for us.”
It will not be the first time O’Brien has brought a member of his all-conquering string to Southwell, with the likes of Galileo and Giant’s Causeway both taking in a lap of the course ahead of their American endeavours.
Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore will put City Of Troy through his paces at Southwell (Damien Eagers/PA)
The once Fibresand surface is now a Tapeta all-weather track, but Southwell is thrilled to maintain its reputation as the ‘go-to’ place for Breeders’ Cup preparations and executives are hoping to lure Big Evs back there, as Mick Appleby’s star sprinter also points towards California this autumn.
The son of Blue Point graced the course with his presence prior to winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint 12 months ago and similar to City Of Troy, is also slated to end his racing career in the San Diego suburbs.
Clayton continued: “Who knows, it could be the last time we see City Of Troy on these shores and he’s going off to try to do something special.
Big Evs visited Southwell before winning at Santa Anita last year (Joe Giddens/PA)
“Aidan O’Brien coming to Southwell is quite a unique experience and it only happens maybe once a decade, so it will be nice to make something of it.
“We’re also hoping to entice Big Evs back to do a gallop before the Breeders’ Cup like he did last year. Mick has mooted it to me but it is still to be confirmed.
“If we can begin to be used for that sort of thing, then it can only help the course’s profile. We know it’s not the exact surface (as the dirt in America), but the layout of the course as a one-mile-two-furlong flat oval is wonderful if trying to replicate an American track.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/277198455-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-04 12:41:272024-09-04 12:41:27Southwell offer free entry for City Of Troy Breeders’ Cup gallop
Aidan O’Brien views an upcoming trip to Southwell for a serious workout with some of his “fastest” stablemates as the ideal stepping-stone for City Of Troy ahead of his ultimate test in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The son of American Triple Crown hero Justify has already established himself as the best of his generation on turf, bouncing back from 2000 Guineas disappointment to win the Derby and the Eclipse before dominating from the front to take the Juddmonte International in a course-record time.
O’Brien has long since identified City Of Troy as a horse who could finally provide him with an elusive first victory in one of the world’s most prestigious races on the Del Mar dirt on November 2 – and with connections opting against running in the Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday week, he will instead warm up for his trans-Atlantic mission with a gallop on Southwell’s Tapeta surface on September 20.
“We decided against going to Leopardstown because we didn’t want to use up that run, that’s why we thought we’d go to Southwell instead,” said O’Brien, speaking at an Irish Champions Festival media event at his yard on Monday.
“We went to the Breeders’ Cup Classic with Giant’s Causeway and got beat, we got beat with everything, so we have to tweak something and City Of Troy might go a shade fresher, that’s what we’re hoping.”
While some racecourse gallops can be viewed as nothing more than exhibitions, what O’Brien has planned promises to be anything but.
He added: “He can go a mile, probably with four or five other horses and we’ll go a good, strong pace and see what will happen. He’ll work out of American (starting) stalls, so we’ll have it as close as we can (to a race).
“Obviously we won’t have the surface, but that’s not a bad thing because we’re coming off the grass and it’s a little bit of a step in between, rather than the big jump straight away.
“We’ll work the fastest horses we can and we’ll go very hard for the first half (of the gallop). I don’t know what’s going to happen as any horse we’ve sent to Southwell has never worked well, they always just about finish with their lead horse and maybe this will be the same, I don’t know.”
Having been ridden positively throughout his juvenile career, including an all-the-way victory in the Dewhurst, City Of Troy’s Guineas reverse prompted a change of tactics in the Derby.
However, O’Brien switched tack again at York last month and the master of Ballydoyle appears to be ready to raise the stakes even higher in California, where interestingly the last time the Classic was run at Del Mar in 2021 Knicks Go made all.
“We were waiting to let him go forward, but we only wanted to let him do it before the Classic as while he was aggressive the last day, he’ll be more aggressive the next day,” he said.
“We didn’t want to do that until very late because of what happened in the Guineas. It just took a long time to get back and we had to do it very subtle without him knowing. We had to keep him moving forward, so it took us a long time to get back to (front-running) at York.
“Ryan (Moore) went forward at York, but it was still controlled aggression. I know him and the next day he will hit the gates and want to go.”
O’Brien feels City Of Troy’s combative nature will stand him in good stead for his adventure on the American west coast, but is well aware of how difficult a task it will be.
“We think what he did is going to set him up well for America. We’ve never won the Classic, we’ve tried very hard for 25 years and it’s a very difficult race to win,” he said.
“You’re going to a different world – a different culture, a different track and a different surface. I think for one of our horses to win it, they need to be a lot better than the opposition.
“It’s one of those races you don’t dream about because it’s so hard to win, but you try and hope. Every year you tweak things and look for different horses and different ways of doing it. You look under every stone you can look under and hopefully you’ve looked under enough of them.
“He has so many variables and so many things to get over that he hasn’t encountered before. He’s not simple, if you get into a row with him because he’s a lot of Justify in him and he’s lot of Galileo in him and when you get those I wince. If you’re restricting him, he’ll make you suffer.”
Aidan O’Brien at York (Mike Egerton/PA)
He went on: “He took York very well, he didn’t even blow, he never really got into full tank. He hangs because he’s a hardy customer and he’ll maul you if you’re mauling him – he’s not for kids.
“Obviously in America you try to stay out of the kickback and if you end up getting it you get it, but in my experience you don’t ever get used to it and I don’t think any horse enjoys kickback.
“He always favoured racing aggressively and that’s why from day one he just went out the gates and went. It’s in his nature to do it, but what’s rare about him is he carries it through.
“I’d say he’ll go forward and you’d imagine the faster they go the better it will suit him, but our fast is a little bit different to American fast, so we will watch with interest like everyone else.
“I think they usually fly out the Saturday before. They arrive on the Saturday evening, they’re in quarantine for two days and then they’re out on the track on Tuesday.”
City Of Troy and jockey Ryan Moore after winning the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown (Steven Paston/The Jockey Club)
Win, lose or draw, it appears City Of Troy’s Breeders’ Cup outing will be his swansong, with O’Brien expecting him to be retired to stud next season.
He said: “There’s no doubt probably (he could be better as a four-year-old), but he’s unique and he’s a different kind of a horse, so I’d imagine he’ll have to go off to stud.
“He’s just too different and from day one he was like that. He’s a great shape – he’s not too weak, he’s not too small. He’s perfectly proportioned and balanced and not extreme in any way.”
Los Angeles appears increasingly likely to join stablemates Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, the feature race on day one of Irish Champions Festival weekend.
Auguste Rodin denied Luxembourg back-to-back wins in the Leopardstown showpiece 12 months ago, but for the second year in succession the son of Deep Impact will be on a recovery mission as he looks to put a disappointing display in the King George at Ascot behind him.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, is on the crest of a wave, having won the Irish Derby and the Great Voltigeur since placing third behind Ballydoyle superstar City Of Troy in the Derby at Epsom.
While York’s Great Voltigeur is traditionally a St Leger trial, trainer Aidan O’Brien is favouring a step back in trip rather than up for the son of Camelot ahead of a potential tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The @SkyBet Great Voltigeur Stakes goes the way of Los Angeles, who fends off stablemate Illinois and King's Gambit to win! 🥇
“It looks like at the moment Los Angeles is going to run. We had it in our head going to York that we might go that way and that was the reason for doing it,” he said on Monday.
“We thought he’s the kind of horse that could finish in the first three, four or five in a (Irish) Champion Stakes and could go onto an Arc. That’s what we still think and if the ground got soft in France he’d have no problem with that.
“Obviously we were delighted with his run in York. We could go to the Leger with him, but we have three others that look like real Leger horses (Illinois, Jan Brueghel and Grosvenor Square) that will get the trip very well and we didn’t think that he needs to go that trip.
“It definitely won’t do him any harm to run over a mile and a quarter and we’ll learn a lot about him. He could be an Arc horse and I’d say there’s no doubt he’ll stay in training next year.”
Auguste Rodin will be on a recovery mission in the Irish Champion Stakes (Brian Lawless/PA)
O’Brien blamed underfoot conditions for Auguste Rodin’s below-par effort in the King George and is confident he is back firing on all cylinders ahead of the defence of his Leopardstown crown.
“He loves fast ground and his last bit of work was excellent, he showed a lot of zest in it. He went by his lead horse very easy, whereas usually he wouldn’t at that stage of the work. He was very confident and it was a bit different,” he said.
“The plan is to go to Leopardstown and then go to Japan after it. We think he’s a mile-and-a-quarter horse that gets a mile and a half, but he doesn’t want any further than that. He’s a very slick horse who travels very well and does everything very easy.”
Reflecting on his Ascot defeat, O’Brien added: “I felt when I walked the track the ground was soft on the inside. I made a bad decision, I should have discussed it with the lads and we should have got out off it. We made the decision to stay in, he got trapped down on the rail behind the pace and we probably turned it into a mile and six race – it was very tough.
“We felt he was on the worst of it (ground), I’m not trying to make excuses but that’s what we felt and the first three all came from the back and wide off the bad ground. They were all good enough reasons for us for the horse to run disappointing.”
O’Brien expects Ryan Moore to keep the faith in Auguste Rodin on Saturday week, with riding plans for Los Angeles and Luxembourg to be made nearer the time.
He added: “If he (Auguste Rodin) runs I’d imagine Ryan will ride him. I suppose if the ground got soft everything might change, but I’d imagine he will ride him.
“Luxembourg is a very consistent, strong horse. He’ll go forward – over a mile and a quarter he doesn’t mind making the running and you have to follow him because he won’t be stopping.”
Detailing some of his other plans for the two days, O’Brien confirmed Ylang Ylang as his likely representative in Leopardstown’s Matron Stakes, while star stayer Kyprios will look to win his second Irish St Leger at the Curragh the following afternoon.
Henri Matisse winning the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh (Brian Lawless/PA)
Unbeaten juvenile Henri Matisse is set to carry the stable’s hopes in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, with Acomb Stakes-winning stablemate The Lion In Winter – ante-post favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas and Derby – more likely to wait for the Goffs Million on September 28.
“That (National Stakes) was always the plan for Henri Matisse and the lads will decide whether the horse that won in York will run or not, but he’s still there,” said O’Brien.
“If he doesn’t go there he’ll go to the Goffs. He’s being kept on the boil for the National Stakes, but the plan is that he’ll go to the Million.”
Frankel fillies Bedtime Story and Lake Victoria are both under consideration for the Moyglare Stud Stakes, with Fairy Godmother instead being saved for the Cheveley Park at Newmarket.
O’Brien will also have one eye on events in France, with Opera Singer set to test her Arc claims in the Prix Vermeille.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/277198293-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-02 12:35:282024-09-02 12:35:28Los Angeles heading to Leopardstown before Paris
Ides Of March enhanced his already fine reputation with a comprehensive win in the Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh.
Fourth at the first attempt back in June, Ides Of March then suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of stablemate The Lion In Winter on his second start, with that rival going on to land the Acomb Stakes at York.
Ides Of March finally opened his account at the third time of asking over six furlongs at this track earlier in the month and Aidan O’Brien opted to stick to the sprint trip for this Group Three task.
Ides Of March was an impressive winner at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)
Ridden with supreme confidence by Ryan Moore, Ides Of March travelled well through the early stages before asserting his authority in the last two furlongs.
The 2-5 favourite passed the post with three-and-a-quarter lengths to spare over Usdi Atohi with Rudi’s Apple nearly two lengths further back in third.
Ides Of March holds a clutch of autumn entries but O’Brien has pinpointed the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes on September 28 as a likely target.
“He was professional and grew up a lot from the last day,” said O’Brien.
“I’m delighted and we’ll look at the Middle Park with him now. He’s a powerful, fast horse and he finds it easy to go quick. He’s big and he’s strong.
“He was going very easy through the race before Ryan started to let him go.
“I think he’s versatile (ground-wise). Wootton Bassetts handle soft ground as well and he handles fast ground very easy, he’s a very good mover.
“The mare (his dam Nickname) was a very good mare in America (Grade One winner).”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/277291171-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-08-31 14:35:072024-08-31 14:35:07Ides Of March strolls to Round Tower success
Dreamy made it two wins in as many starts with a comfortable victory in the Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes at the Curragh.
A debut winner in a valuable maiden at Goodwood at the start of the month, Dreamy boasts an excellent pedigree as a daughter of American Pharoah out of Yorkshire Oaks winner Tapestry.
Sent off the 6-5 favourite for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, Dreamy always looked in control on her first attempt in Group Three company, kicking for home over furlong out.
Fiery Lucy and Alla Stella put up a strong challenge, but Dreamy had their measure, winning by a length and a half and a short head.
Dreamy was too good for her Curragh rivals (Damien Eagers/PA)
Betfair make her a 10-1 chance from 25s for the Fillies’ Mile, while offering the same price about her in the Oaks next year.
“I’m delighted with her, she’s lovely,” said O’Brien.
“Ryan is very impressed with her. She’s a baby and he was minding and teaching her. She’s a fine, big mare.
“We’ll see whether we go again or not this year, she doesn’t have to.
“Ryan said she was never really engaging at all until they came beside her.”
When asked if she could be a possible Oaks filly, he added: “I’d say that’s what she is, a big Oaks filly.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/277290585-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-08-31 13:55:492024-08-31 13:55:49Dreamy continues perfect start to her career
City Of Troy will head to Southwell for a racecourse gallop on September 20 as part of his build-up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Winner of the Derby and Eclipse, City Of Troy stamped his authority at York last week when making all for victory in the Juddmonte International, smashing Sea The Stars’ course-record time in the process.
Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore partners have made no secret of their Classic ambitions, with City Of Troy appearing a perfect candidate for the headline event at Del Mar as he is a son of American Triple Crown winner Justify.
The Ballydoyle handler is now planning to simulate full raceday conditions at Southwell next month, with American starting stalls employed and a team of stablemates set to accompany City Of Troy in a public workout.
City Of Troy delivered a dominant victory in the Derby (John Walton/PA)
Chris Armstrong, who was representing O’Brien at Navan on Thursday afternoon, said: “It’s been confirmed this morning that City Of Troy will go to Southwell on September 20 for a racecourse gallop.
“We’re delighted that Southwell have been able to accommodate the request and Aidan and all the team are delighted that it will fit in nicely to his programme.
“It will be four weeks after York and will give him five weeks before he leaves for the Breeders’ Cup.
“He will work with a group of horses over a distance of about a mile from American stalls with the bell ringing and it should leave him right for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”
Southwell has been used by O’Brien in the past to prepare his Breeders’ Cup runners, with Giant’s Causeway working there in 2000 before being beaten just a neck in the Classic, while Derby winner and subsequent supersire Galileo did the same a year later, although his American bid was not as successful.
Galileo (right) worked at Southwell at part of his Breeders’ Cup preparation (PA)
Armstrong added: “The finer details such as timings have yet to be confirmed, but we have spoken with Southwell and Aidan and all the team are more than happy to open the doors to everyone and all racing fans and the media can watch the piece of work.
“It will be an experience for everybody and a bit like a normal raceday.
“It will be a new track to him and a new surface which will be good for him.
“He will fly over in the morning, have a rest in the stables like he normally does before a race, work in the afternoon and then fly home in the evening.
“Everything fits into his schedule beautifully and it’s something we are looking forward to.”
City Of Troy has yet to run on anything but turf, with Southwell now the home of a Tapeta track.
The course’s executive director Mark Clayton is looking forward to welcoming O’Brien’s superstar to Nottinghamshire.
He said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Aidan O’Brien, as one of the leading trainers in the world, bring City Of Troy, one of the leading horses in the world this year, to Southwell.
“It’s a testament to the track and the work we do as a team, but also to Tapeta and the surface they delivered us back in 2022, that we are trusted by Aidan to bring a horse of City Of Troy’s calibre to Southwell prior to the Breeders’ Cup.
“I personally didn’t see any of Aidan’s visits in the past, but I have heard all about what historic days they were and this will be exactly the same.
“We are chuffed to have the opportunity to put this on for Aidan and hopefully he is just as chuffed to bring the horse here. It is still at the early stage for us planning the day, but we will plan with Aidan and release a statement about the day closer to the time.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/277198440-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-08-29 15:17:202024-08-29 15:55:08City Of Troy confirmed for Breeders’ Cup workout at Southwell
Los Angeles will either run in the Betfred St Leger or the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes on September 14.
Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby winner defied a 5lb penalty in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last week, with stablemate Illinois closing him down rapidly in the last of the 12 furlongs.
If he stays at home for the Irish Champion, he will be dropping to 10 furlongs, but should he run at Doncaster, he will be stepping up to a mile and three-quarters.
O’Brien is well stocked for both races, with Auguste Rodin pencilled in for the highlight of the Irish Champions Festival, while at Doncaster, stablemates Illinois, the unbeaten Jan Brueghel and Grosvenor Square are heading the betting.
A really gutsy win 💪
Irish Derby champion Los Angeles sees out the trip well to land the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes @yorkracecourse
A trip to Doncaster for the St Leger beckons for the son of Camelot.
With City Of Troy set to skip the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in favour of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Los Angeles could book his ticket for Paris by running well at Leopardstown.
“He could go to either the St Leger or the Irish Champion Stakes. Obviously, if he’s going to the Arc, he could go for the Irish Champion Stakes,” said O’Brien.
“Auguste Rodin could go there as well with Luxembourg. That’s a little bit of a change this week.
“We’ll see what the ground is going to be like at Doncaster and there are three other horses that could run in the St Leger if he (Los Angeles) didn’t run there.
“He seems to have come out of the race (in York) well. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/277198293-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-08-25 12:17:302024-08-25 12:17:30O’Brien keeping options open over Los Angeles programme
It may have lacked the fireworks of some of her previous starts, but Bedtime Story ultimately maintained her unbeaten record with a hard-fought victory in the Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes at the Curragh.
A daughter of Frankel out of dual Nunthorpe heroine Mecca’s Angel, Aidan O’Brien’s filly made a winning debut at Leopardstown in June before producing a scintillating display to land the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot by nine and a half lengths.
Having since completed her hat-trick with a comfortable success in Leopardstown’s Silver Flash Stakes, Bedtime Story was a 1-16 favourite to make it four from four in a race her trainer had won on 13 previous occasions, but it was harder work that most would have anticipated.
Ryan Moore’s mount was still in third place passing the furlong marker, with her stablemate Exactly and Jessica Harrington’s Barnavara in her sights.
The winners continue to roll in for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore, as Bedtime Story puts the Group 2 Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes to bed in the final strides 👏 pic.twitter.com/iaN6pdeWoh
Moore had to resort to his whip to ensure Bedtime Story bridged the gap, but she did get rolling and was half a length in front of Exactly at the line, with Barnavara a neck further behind in third.
O’Brien said: “We didn’t want to go too fast today as it was a prep for the next day. She has a lot of speed early and Ryan was lovely on her as we didn’t want to empty her out today.
“She needed to get down and race a little bit late, but we couldn’t be happier really.
“She’ll go for the Moyglare now.”
Bedtime Story is an unchanged 3-1 favourite for next year’s 1000 Guineas with Coral, who also make her their 5-1 market leader for the Oaks.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/277218236-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-08-24 15:59:542024-08-24 15:59:54Bedtime Story delivers in Debutante to extend perfect record
geegeez.co.uk uses cookies to improve your experience. We assume that's OK, but you may opt-out from the settings. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
