Albert Einstein, who missed Royal Ascot with a sprained joint, is still on the sidelines.
His trainer Aidan O’Brien remains hopeful his exciting juvenile will make it back time to run in some of the major end-of-season races in the autumn, although a return to action still appears some way off.
He holds entries in September, including in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.
O’Brien said: “He’s not near to running yet, he’s not back cantering yet. He’s just been on a break.
“We’re still hoping he’ll be back for something in the autumn, but it will depend on how he is really.”
Albert Einstein’s reputation has only risen in his absence with O’Brien winning the Queen Mary, Coventry Stakes and the Norfolk yet hailing the Wootton Bassett colt as perhaps the best of his crop.
Following Gstaad’s impressive Coventry win O’Brien said: “Albert Einstein was always something very different and a very quick horse, incredibly quick from the day we worked him.
“Gstaad is a big horse who travels well and with lots of speed. We always thought this was a top-tier horse alongside Albert, but your man was just so fast it was different.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.80372908-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-07-16 12:54:532025-07-16 12:54:53Albert Einstein return still appears some way off
Staged at the Curragh racecourse the Irish Oaks is a Group One race run over a distance of 1m4f and for 3 year-old fillies.
In recent years, horses that ran in the Epsom Oaks previously have gone well, with 10 of the last 22 Epsom winners having run in the English Oaks earlier that season. And six doing the double in the last 22 years.
Plus, with 19 of the last 22 winners having finished first or second last time out this is another key trend to note.
Here at GEEGEEZ we are on hand with all the key recent stats ahead of the 2025 running - this year staged on Saturday 19th July 2025 - use these stats to find the best profiles of past winners.
20/22 – Raced within the last 6 weeks
19/22 – Finished 1st or 2nd last time out
18/22 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
16/22 – Returned 9/2 or shorter in the betting
16/22 – Had won between 1-2 times before
15/22 – Won last time out
15/22 – Placed favourites
14/22 – Won over 1m4f before
10/22 – Irish-trained winners
10/22 – Ran in the Epsom Oaks last time out
10/22 – Won by a UK-based trainer
9/22 – Winning favourites
8/22 – Winning distance, 3 lengths or more
7/22 – Had won a Group One before
7/22 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien (3 of the last 9)
6/22 – Won the Epsom Oaks last time out
3/22 – Ridden by Ryan Moore (2 of the last 4)
2/22 – Trained by John Gosden (2 of the last 8)
Recent Irish and Epsom Oaks Winners
2021 – Snowfall
2017 – Enable
2010 – Snow Fairy
2009 – Sariska
2006 – Alexandrova
2004 – Ouija Board
================================================
FROMTHESTABLES.com
GET THE BEST DAILY TRAINER INFO FROM 18 TOP STABLES - Sent direct to your in-box!
**SPECIAL OFFER** TRY US FOR JUST £1 (for first month)!!
Benvenuto Cellini followed the same path as an illustrious former stablemate with victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Killarney.
His trainer Aidan O’Brien sent out subsequent Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck to land the mile contest in 2018 and Benvenuto Cellini was sent off the 2-5 favourite to add his name to the roll of honour.
Partnered by Wayne Lordan, the impeccably-bred Frankel colt came home a two-and-three-quarter-length winner over stablemate Endorsement, with connections now eyeing a step up in calibre next month after improving from his initial start.
Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: “Benvenuto Cellini had a lovely run at the Curragh and coming here, this was going to be a lovely race for him. He was very babyish at the Curragh and again today where he jumped out and led, but Wayne said he was looking at the cars on the inside.
“It looked a decent maiden and he went away and won well so that is a decent sign. He improved from the Curragh to here and will improve again from here to his next run, which could be in the Futurity Stakes. Whatever he does you’d think will be a bonus as he’ll make up into a smashing middle-distance horse for next year. He is one with a touch of class.
“You only have to look at some of the previous winners around here, and even at the horses who have finished in-behind, to see how good these maidens are and you need a stakes horse to come here. There aren’t many who win here who aren’t above average.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/538ec627-19d5-49dc-aba2-f99374c64574.jpg5001000Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-07-14 18:10:432025-07-14 18:10:43Benvenuto Cellini makes winning mark at Killarney
The Lion In Winter will return to France for his next outing when he will step back up in trip for the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
Winter favourite for the Guineas and Derby, a setback in the spring held up his preparations for the Classics and he missed Newmarket, making his comeback in the Dante at York when he could only finish sixth before trailing home well beaten in the Derby.
Dropped markedly in trip to seven furlongs for the Prix Jean Prat, Aidan O’Brien’s charge showed plenty of his old sparkle, beaten just a short neck and a short head into third by Woodshauna.
Speaking at Navan on Sunday, stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “It was lovely to get him back on track after all the promise he showed last year.
“He has come out of the race (at Deauville) very well, and everyone is happy with him at home.
“He is going to go to the Jacques le Marois next in Deauville. Obviously, it is going to be a fascinating race during the summer.
“In fairness, the horse adapted coming right back from a mile and a half to seven (furlongs) last week pretty quickly.
“Back up to a mile in the Jacques le Marois should suit him.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.76898726-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-07-14 11:07:052025-07-15 10:40:12The Lion In Winter heading back to France for Prix Jacques le Marois
Jean-Claude Rouget returned to the Group One winner’s enclosure as Leffard got up to deny Trinity College in a pulsating finish to the Cygagames Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp.
The dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning trainer – who has had health battles and seen his string much reduced over the last year – was clearly emotional after Cristian Demuro put Leffard’s head down right on the line to edge out Aidan O’Brien’s Trinity College.
Ryan Moore and Trinity College had tracked Frankly Good Cen before switching out and showing a smart turn of foot, one that looked like it would seal matters. That was not counting for Leffard, however, and he too picked up in great style when asked to leave the pair battling out.
After the shortest of waits, Leffard – who holds an Arc entry – was announced the winner, putting a below-par effort in the Prix du Jockey Club – in which Trinity College had been fourth before winning at Royal Ascot – behind him and fully justifying the decision to supplement for the Paris showpiece.
Rouget told Sky Sports Racing: “It was fantastic when I saw the horse coming. I was very confident there was not a big difference between the two (Leffard and Trinity College).
“I knew he was very good, but I had to find a new confidence in him (after the Prix du Jockey-Club). He was so well this week and the field was not tremendous I decided to supplement him. When I saw six runners, it was possible to be third and we did better.
“I think yes (he is an Arc horse), because when I bought him I was sure I bought a good horse.
“It’s a big fairytale, life continues and we do other things.”
Rouget said the Prix Niel would be the Arc prep race for his winner, and added: “This is a great moment for my team in Pau. It’s hard to sum it all up in a few words. Their support is what kept me going. Without them, I would have quit.
Leffard powers up alongside Trinity College to win the Grand Prix de Paris (Scoopdyga)
“My assistant, Jean-Rene Dubosc, did a remarkable job. He took two weeks off and will be returning from vacation a happy man!”
Demuro said: “It’s incredible for Jean-Claude Rouget. He made the trip here and I’m so happy for him.
“It’s amazing that he’s back and winning a Group race. He’s a father figure to me. Leffard is a superb horse, and I had a great trip – he’s really top class.”
Of Trinity College, who was trying 12 furlongs for the first time, O’Brien said: “He ran a very good race. I don’t think there’s much more to say. The distance wasn’t an issue.”
In third was New Ground, who was fourth in the Derby at Epsom but did not help his chance here in pulling far too hard for Colin Keane.
His trainer Henri-François Devin said: “He was very sharp throughout the race. He’s a somewhat tricky horse. The pace was too slow for him — below what he needs. Even so, he finished very well, which is impressive for a horse that pulled so much.
“For now, we’ll shorten him up. Once he settles down more, we might revisit longer distances.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.67705077.jpg9291858Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-07-13 18:46:352025-07-13 20:30:16Jean-Claude Rouget back in the big time courtesy of Leffard
Rock Of Cashel relished the drop in grade to get back to winning ways in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Navan.
Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old had been highly tried since winning a Galway maiden last season, running in the National Stakes and the Dewhurst last autumn.
This term he has been campaigned in Group and Listed company before trying his hand in a handicap to no avail at Royal Ascot.
Against just three runners in this conditions race, however, he took command early in the straight under Wayne Lordan to down Johnny Murtagh’s 1-4 favourite Nautical Force by two lengths at 3-1.
O’Brien’s stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “The way the race worked out, it was a lovely race for him.
“In fairness to him, he has been dropped in the deep end from word go this year. He ran with credit behind Henri Matisse and Delacroix and was beaten five to six lengths behind proper Group One horses.
“Obviously, Johnny’s horse brought a high level of form here. Wayne gave him a lovely ride and the race worked out for him beautifully.
“He’s a horse we thought of as a stakes horse after Galway last year as a two-year-old, so hopefully this will do his confidence good and we will bring him back up to a stakes race over a mile and a-quarter and see how he goes.”
Murtagh had already been on the mark with newcomer Zuheila (5-2) in the Ardboyne Hotel Maiden.
Ben Coen nursed the Aga Khan Studs-owned three-year-old into the closing stages before getting down to business to beat Ger Lyons’ Washington Street by half a length.
Coen said: “She’s a nice, big filly and bred to have a bit of speed. She has been doing things nice at home.
“You can see why she hasn’t got to the track until now, she’s a big girl but she did that nicely. She had a good look when she hit the front, but hopefully she can stay improving.
“She was (doing all her best work late) – she was green running down the hill and, when I hit the rising ground, she came good.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/002b363d-5769-41c2-b6b3-d59830381690-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-07-13 16:01:582025-07-13 16:01:58Rock Of Cashel gets his head in front for Navan victory
Aidan O’Brien could look to France for a Group One-winning opportunity for January after the filly narrowly missed out in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.
In receipt of 9lb from the winner Cinderella’s Dream, the three-year-old January was beaten just half a length, adding another top-level placing to her record after taking third in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Despite seeing his 6-4 favourite eclipsed, O’Brien is confident the Kingman filly is on the right track, with the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on August 3 pencilled in as a possible target.
O’Brien said: “She ran a lovely race, she is improving and we think there’s more improvement to come from her.
“She’s a lot of ability this filly and it’s coming. She’s definitely a miler – she’s quick. We’re getting there – she’s slowly getting closer.
“She ran a great race and we think we’re on the right road.
“There’s the fillies’ race in Deauville in a few weeks’ time, so we might look at that for her.”
Connections of Crimson Advocate also hope their filly will eventually strike Group One gold, having seen a length-and-three-quarters defeat of Cinderella’s Dream at Royal Ascot reversed off level weights here.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained runner was beaten two and a quarter lengths on the July course, with Richard Brown, the racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing, feeling the contest had perhaps not unfolded in her favour.
He said: “There wasn’t a huge amount of early pace and more pace would have meant she could have been snaffled into it a little bit more, but she’s run a very good race.
“We haven’t made any plans, we’ll go away and have a think about it.
“She’s run a great race and I hope she can have her day in one of these (Group Ones).”
Crimson Advocate is entered in both the seven-furlong Lennox Stakes and the mile-and-a-quarter Nassau Stakes at Goodwood later this month and Brown added: “We’ll take her home and see how she comes out of it and then plot for the second half of the season.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.80714238-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-07-11 15:44:282025-07-11 15:44:28‘She’s getting there’ – O’Brien confident January will get her day
Aidan O’Brien’s Italy is already prominent in the betting for next season’s Classics after just one run, so a big performance is expected in the bet365 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.
Two years ago City Of Troy burst into the big-race picture when beating Haatem by over six lengths in this race – and the suggestions are that Italy could produce something similar.
The imposing Wootton Bassett colt eventually got going to win cosily on his debut at Leopardstown from Thesecretadversary, who franked the form by running well in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
O’Brien said: “We’re looking forward to him. He’s a lovely horse, we think he’s come forward from his maiden and we’re looking forward to seeing what he’ll do on Saturday.
“The horse that was second to him in Leopardstown was second in Ascot, so hopefully he’ll run well.”
Saba Desert is one of two runners for Charlie Appleby and the once-raced Dubawi colt is the choice of William Buick.
Appleby has won the race five times since 2016, including last year with Ancient Truth.
“He won well at Sandown. It looks a good Superlative and as always it’s full of potential, but he’s a nice horse, he should have improved for Sandown and we’ll know where we are come Saturday afternoon,” said Buick.
“Charlie always earmarks the Superlative as a race where he wants to run his nicer two-year-olds, so it’s not hard to come to a conclusion that he’s one of the nicer ones and he’s only had the one run, so he’s a horse that’s got plenty of improvement left in him.
“He took on experienced horses at Sandown, I thought he did it very well and couldn’t do any more than what he did.
“It looks a substantial field and the winner of the Superlative will always go on to do good things – you usually see them end up in the Dewhurst.”
Wild Desert is Appleby’s other runner, who having won by five lengths on his debut was then beaten under a penalty last time out by another stablemate in Pacific Avenue.
George Boughey’s Moonfall finished behind two other Appleby juveniles on his first two outings before opening his account at Newbury.
Boughey told Star Sports: “The programme fits itself for a horse like him. He’s rated 90, and we’d like to try to turn him into a stakes horse. He could have gone to the nursery at Goodwood, but his work has been very solid.
“He’s a horse who wants seven furlongs and he’s just ready to run again. I thought waiting three weeks for Goodwood was probably too long, so I’m looking forward to seeing him step up in grade here.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.80536007-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-07-11 15:24:042025-07-11 15:24:04Superlative chance for Italy to follow City Of Troy
Scandinavia was an emphatic winner when coming home unchallenged in the the Bahrain Trophy Stakes at Newmarket.
Aidan O’Brien’s Justify colt was the 11-8 favourite under Ryan Moore in a small field of five, and horse and rider were happy to travel along in the slipstream of early leader Furthur.
As the race progressed he loomed up beside the front runner to take the lead three furlongs from home and from there on it was plain sailing as he prevailed by an easy eight and a half lengths.
Paddy Power were very impressed and cut the winner to 6-1 from 20s for the Betfred St Leger.
Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick Smith, said: “He seems to have progressed nicely from Ascot and Ryan was very happy with him – he said he’s uncomplicated, he got into a lovely rhythm and we could have some fun with him over those longer distances now.
“He was out wide for a long way at Ascot but he bounced out of the race very well and really enjoyed the ground today.
“The Irish Leger and the English Leger, all those sort of races are open to him and he could be a Cup horse next year, perhaps. We can plot our way towards all those nice staying races at the end of the year now.”
The current ante-post favourite for the St Leger is stablemate and dual Derby winner Lambourn and Smith added: “There’s lots of options open and I think we’ll see how these horses get on over the festivals as after here we’ve got Goodwood and York coming up.
“He’s in the mix for all those top races.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.80956665-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2025-07-10 13:04:522025-07-10 13:20:14Scandinavia in a different league to Bahrain Trophy rivals
Aidan O’Brien has raised the possibility of his Eclipse winner Delacroix taking on Field Of Gold in what would be a mouthwatering prospect for the Juddmonte International at York.
Sent off favourite for the Derby where he finished down the field, Delacroix bounced back in sensational style at Sandown, running down Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner Ombudsman with a fantastic turn of foot.
Field Of Gold is ante-post favourite for the York race and given he is owned by the sponsors, should he step up in trip that looks the logical place for it to happen.
O’Brien told Sky Sports Racing of Delacroix: “We were delighted with him, obviously in the Derby Ryan (Moore) felt he just got squeezed out at the top of the hill and his chance had gone then so he nursed him.
“Before the Derby he was working like a classy mile-and-a-quarter horse and Ryan had it in his head that he could even be a miler, he always felt he had a lot of pace.
“I don’t know what he did the last two furlongs but I can imagine the fractions were very quick.
“We’re not sure about what next, we’ll see how he is first and then the lads (owners) will chat to Ryan and chat amongst themselves and then tell us where they’d like to go.
“Obviously the two big ones would be York (August 20) or Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes, September 13), both or one so we’ll see how he is and they’ll decide what they want to do then.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.80901680-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2025-07-07 07:24:322025-07-07 07:24:32York clash with Field Of Gold possible for Delacroix
Daytona overcame his evident inexperience to run out an impressive winner of the inaugural Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes at Naas.
A comfortable Gowran winner on his racecourse debut last month, Daytona was sent off the 4-5 favourite for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Wayne Lordan, with the result never really looking in doubt.
Daytona initially looked a little green when given the signal to go on by Lordan, but he was too good for North Shore, pulling three and a quarter lengths clear with the minimum of fuss, earning a 20-1 quote from Paddy Power for next year’s 2000 Guineas.
Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “Jack (Cleary) gave him a lovely introduction in Gowran where for a first timer and he was impressive. He’s come along lovely at home since then, but he’s still fairly raw.
“They went along at a nice pace and he travelled into it really strong, but when he got there he was still very babyish.
“He has the makings of a lovely horse and next year you could see him over a mile and a quarter.
“He could be one for something like the Futurity or Golden Fleece. He’s a horse to look forward to. He’ll develop physically, he’s a fine big imposing horse and he’s by that sire Wootton Bassett.”
This mile race is part of the new ‘Smullen Series’ which consists of 18 middle-distance races for two and three-year-olds and honours the late Irish champion jockey who enjoyed Derby glory with Harzand.
Smullen was O’Brien’s brother-in-law and Armstrong added: “It’s a lovely new series that they’ve introduced and all these new series initiatives help the programme.
“It’s named after a legend and Aidan picked this race out straight after Gowran for him. He’s delighted to win the first running of it and hopefully we can win a few more of them.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/a18e5472-72e7-4179-a437-705ea2afc1f1-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2025-07-05 15:52:192025-07-05 15:52:19Daytona races to Smullen success at Naas
Delacroix came from last to first under a vintage Ryan Moore ride to provide Aidan O’Brien with his ninth victory in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
A quality field of six runners went to post for a Group One contest that traditionally gives the Classic generation a first chance to meet their elders and this year’s renewal was no exception, with four three-year-olds taking on two top-class older horses in Ombudsman and Sosie.
Ombudsman was the 6-4 favourite to supplement his brilliant success in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and quickened up to lead inside the final furlong – but having looked to be struggling at the rear of the field early in the straight, Derby disappointment Delacroix (3-1) came with a wet sail under a power-packed Moore drive to get up by a neck.
“It wasn’t the first or the second or the third plan! He began OK, but nobody really wanted to make the running and there was three of us in a line,” Moore told ITV Racing.
“Me and William (Buick, on Ombudsman) wanted the same position and I had to give way. He was on an older, bigger horse so I thought we’d wait and go around.
“They got first run on me and he’s obviously a very good horse with a good turn of foot. He quickened up really well.
“I think 10 furlongs is fine and if anything he could probably run over shorter. He’s a horse we’ve always held in high regard and he was the only horse in this race that hadn’t won a Group One, but he’d threatened to and he’s obviously out of a great racemare (Tepin) and by Dubawi.”
Delacroix returns to the winner’s enclosure (Molly Hunter/PA)
O’Brien said: “Incredible, I thought Ryan was going to make the running on him. Obviously you don’t tell Ryan what to do, but you listen to what he’s saying, so when I saw it all changing I didn’t know what would happen or what to make of it.
“He ended up where he did and it just kept ringing in my mind that during the week Ryan said to me ‘Aidan, I think this horse is a miler’, and I always thought he was a mile-and-a-quarter horse.
“As the race went on that was what was ringing in my head, is he a miler or is he a mile-and-a-quarter horse, but obviously Ryan stuck to his judgement because he kept calm and had one go.
“What he did in the last two furlongs looked very different. It was a very good race, the second horse is a very good horse and when you get a four-year-old rated as high as that, you need a three-year-old that’s a bit different to beat them.
“Ryan said he changed plans four times in the race today. He found himself where he was but he was calm and collected and clinical.”
Paddy Power cut Delacroix’s odds for the Juddmonte International at York to 5-1 from 16-1, with Ombudsman a 4-1 shot and Field Of Gold the 5-4 favourite.
While plans for Delacroix remain up in the air, he looks set to either stick to a mile and a quarter or even drop back in trip.
“He’s hardy so you shouldn’t be afraid to race him, but the lads (owners) will decide what they want to do,” O’Brien added.
“They stacked them up in front today and he came with a deadly run, it was incredible what he did – mind-blowing.
“I don’t think going back to a mile would worry him, but if they decide to keep him at a mile and a quarter I would be delighted.
“When you can relax like that and quicken like that over a mile and a quarter, it’s very potent and a brilliant thing to have up your sleeve.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.80075438-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2025-07-05 14:53:452025-07-05 16:00:51Delacroix denies Ombudsman in Eclipse thriller
Aidan O’Brien could honour the memory of his late brother-in-law when Daytona heads to Naas for the inaugural running of the Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes.
A 500,000 guineas purchase as a yearling, the son of Wootton Bassett impressed on debut at Gowran Park last month, with the master of Ballydoyle always having this newly-created Listed event in mind for the smart prospect.
O’Brien said: “Daytona is a good horse. He won nicely in Gowran the first day when Jack (Cleary) rode him. Wayne (Lordan) rides him in Naas. We think he’s a nice horse and we think the trip should suit him.
“Obviously, the race is in memory of Pat and that makes it very special for us and we’re delighted to be running what we think is a nice horse in the race. We like him, we think he’s a classy horse.”
O’Brien’s son Joseph is also well represented, saddling both Fairyhouse winner Green Soul and North Coast, the latter creating a taking impression with an all-the-way five-and-a-half-length win at Down Royal recently.
Leblon Queen had accounted for the aforementioned Green Soul on debut before running down the field in last weekend’s Airlie Stud Stakes.
She is quickly returned to the track as part of a two-strong hand for Adrian Murray alongside Flanker Jet, who was not far behind quality Ballydoyle pair Amadeus Mozart and Dorset when fourth at the Curragh on debut.
Jessica Harrington’s Wyman, Ger Lyons’ Genchev and Johnny Murtagh’s Blue Blue Moon are all unraced and complete the line-up.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/b6c39867-8631-4090-9a91-e6296466c16c.jpg10242048https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2025-07-04 11:24:522025-07-04 11:24:52O’Brien hoping Daytona can secure ‘special’ Naas success
Aidan O’Brien has added The Lion In Winter to Sunday’s Prix Jean Prat at Thursday’s supplementary stage, meaning a maximum of 10 will line-up in Sunday’s Group One feature at Deauville.
It is interesting the son of Sea The Stars reverts to the distance he excelled over at York as a juvenile, winning an Acomb Stakes which had Wimbledon Hawkeye in second and subsequent 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court back in third.
That would be his final outing at two, with a late setback ruling him out of the Dewhurst Stakes, but he was one of the market leaders throughout the winter until somewhat underwhelming in his comeback run in the Dante back on the Knavesmire.
Unperturbed by that performance, connections continued to Epsom, but after again failing to sparkle when well beaten in the premier Classic, The Lion In Winter now drops back to seven furlongs on the Normandy Coast.
Juddmonte have added Andre Fabre’s filly Apollo Fountain to the field for a race the master trainer has won a joint-record five times.
She joins fellow Juddmonte-owned contender, Harry Charlton’s Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year, and Charlie Appleby’s high-class Shadow Of Light in what could be a red-hot cast, with the home defence led by Christopher Head’s Maranoa Charlie who brings British interest thanks to his owners, the Yorkshire-based Bond Thoroughbreds operation.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.80102808-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2025-07-03 10:39:112025-07-03 10:39:11The Lion In Winter joins battle in the Prix Jean Prat
Aidan O’Brien has kept the door open for Ryan Moore to ride Delacroix in the Coral-Eclipse, as he confirmed both the beaten Derby favourite and winner of the French equivalent, Camille Pissarro, would head to Sandown on Saturday.
Camille Pissarro is slightly shorter than his stablemate in the sponsor’s betting, with Coral going 13-2 about the Chantilly Classic winner and 8-1 Delacroix, who will bid to bounce back from Epsom disappointment.
Speaking at Tipperary on Wednesday evening, O’Brien suggested the Ballydoyle number one was yet to make the final call on who he will ride: “We are declaring in the morning, and it looks like Delacroix and Camille Pissarro are going to go. That’s what the lads are thinking.
Aidan O’Brien with Ryan Moore and Coolmore boss John Magnier (Brian Lawless/PA)
“It is not written in stone, but there is a chance Ryan could ride Delacroix, we’ll see.”
O’Brien also provided updates on dual Derby hero Lambourn and Pretty Polly scorer Whirl after both excelled in the feature events at the Curragh last weekend.
Options remain fluid for Lambourn, who could set out on a path to add to his Classic haul at Doncaster in September, or take on his elders in Ascot’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Meanwhile, Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk could be left to replicate Lambourn by following up Epsom victory at the Curragh, meaning Whirl remains at 10 furlongs for the Nassau Stakes during the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Lambourn added the Irish Derby at the Curragh to his CV on Sunday (Brian Lawless/PA)
“Lambourn hasn’t done anything since Sunday and probably won’t for seven to 10 days,” continued O’Brien.
“His options are to be trained for the King George or have a little rest and maybe go for a Voltigeur and a St Leger, but we’ll see what the lads want to do. He’s a hardy customer, a brave horse.
“We are thinking of the Nassau for Whirl and she’s a hardy lady too. She could go there, and Minnie Hauk will be trained for the Irish Oaks.
“(Ribblesdale Stakes winner) Garden Of Eden could also be trained for the Irish Oaks.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2.80075440-scaled.jpg12802560https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.png2025-07-02 17:08:582025-07-02 17:08:58O’Brien: Not out of the question Moore opts for Delacroix in the Eclipse
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.
