Tag Archive for: Aidan O’Brien

Lambourn toughs it out to land Derby double

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Lambourn extended Aidan O’Brien’s stellar record in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, as he became the 20th horse to follow up Epsom success at the Curragh with a battling victory over stablemate Serious Contender.

Sent off the 8-13 favourite to repeat his Epsom triumph, Ryan Moore tried to replicate Wayne Lordan’s inspired front-running ride on the Surrey Downs, but met stern resistance from Ralph Beckett’s second-string Sir Dinadan who refused to let Lambourn get his own way in front.

Moore stoked up the Epsom hero rounding the home turn and although Sir Dinadan’s challenge began to wilt, it was Ballydoyle stablemate and King George V Stakes runner-up Serious Contender in the hands of Gavin Ryan who loomed large looking a huge threat.

The Ballydoyle pair began to duel inside the final furlong, but Lambourn proved a willing ally for Moore as his stamina and Classic quality came to the fore to win by three-quarters of a length and earn a place in the history books alongside his sire Australia and grand-sire Galileo who also did the Anglo-Irish Derby double.

Serious Contender finished second at 28-1, with Charlie Johnston’s Epsom runner-up Lazy Griff staying on for third at 14-1.

“He’s a very straightforward horse that gets the trip well,” said O’Brien.

“Ryan was going to be happy if someone came with him as that keeps him focused. He’s a little bit laid-back, a little bit lazy and you could see up the straight he was waiting all the time but that’s him. Ryan gave him a lovely ride.

“Ryan thought he would keep pulling out and he was pricking his ears all the way.

“He could be a King George horse, he could be an Arc horse. He gets the trip well and is very sound and very genuine.

“We minded the second horse for a handicap in Ascot that we thought he couldn’t get beat and then a horse came and beat us that was entered in the King George so it just goes to show what can happen.”

Whirl denies Kalpana in pulsating Pretty Polly Stakes

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Whirl gained Epsom compensation when edging out Kaplana in an enthralling Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes.

The Group One event looked a match on paper between Andrew Balding’s proven Group One performer Kalpana (5-6 favourite) and Aidan O’Brien’s narrow Oaks second, and so it proved as the pair served up a Curragh Classic.

Ryan Moore was quickly away dictating terms aboard the 13-8 second-favourite, with Colin Keane never far away aboard the Juddmonte-owned Kalpana and must have thought the race was his for the taking when Whirl was asked for maximum effort with two furlongs to run with Kalpana still travelling menacingly.

However, Whirl was not for giving in and after a titanic tussle the Wootton Bassett filly pulled out extra inside the final furlong to shade a length and a quarter verdict and deny Juddmonte back-to-back victories in the feature event after Bluestocking 12 months ago.

“She’s an incredible filly. She’s just progressed and she loves getting into a fight,” said O’Brien.

“Obviously we saw that she stays a mile and a half at Epsom. She’s absolutely concrete, really. We knew that obviously she wouldn’t mind the mile and a quarter as she was very impressive in York when she won the Musidora.

“They got into a battle turning in and battling all the way up the straight like that at the Curragh takes some courage and they kept going together. Ryan said he felt 50 yards from the line that she had a look at the camera and he knew he had her then.”

O’Brien was winning the Pretty Polly for the sixth time and reserved special praise for Moore, who was joining the list of great jockeys who have won the race three times.

“Ryan gave her a brilliant ride, he got the fractions absolutely spot on,” added O’Brien.

“It’s a difficult thing when you are running a mile-and-a-half filly back at a mile and a quarter. You are trying to spread the stamina out over a mile and a quarter without stretching the elastic too long, but he got it absolutely spot on.

“He got the favourite to challenge him and this filly gets a mile and a half so there was no point turning it into a sprint. It was the plan to spread it out and let the two of them get together and see who was going to be the best.

“As they say ‘let the best horse jump the ditch’ after that. Two great jockeys, what can I say about Ryan, day in day out he’s incredible.

“They went strong and the two of them went together. Ryan and Colin knew they were each other’s dangers and they weren’t going to give each other an inch, which they couldn’t afford to.

All smiles from Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien
All smiles from Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien (Brian Lawless/PA)

“Those kind of races are few and far between. When you have that type of quality horse lining up and two riders like that. On ground like this, in a place like this, it’s a very special weekend.”

As for the future for his winner, O’Brien is inclined to keep an open mind, with Whirl’s Epsom conqueror Minnie Hauk also up his sleeve for the season’s major events.

He said: “She can go anywhere now this filly. She can come back here to the Oaks, she can go to the Nassau (at Goodwood).

“She’s an unusual filly. She’s tough and she’s not even blowing there, her nostrils weren’t even flaring.

“She’s obviously a very high-class filly and it’s very exciting. It’s possible she’s kept apart from Minnie Hauk, but the lads could let them run together in the Oaks.

“I’d imagine if Minnie Hauk comes back to the Oaks and she’s well she’ll be let go by herself and this filly could do other things.

“She’s not slow either.”

Lambourn aiming to join list of Ballydoyle giants

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Lambourn will try to follow in the footsteps of some of Ballydoyle’s greatest when attempting to extend Aidan O’Brien’s phenomenal record in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Sunday.

O’Brien has won the Curragh showpiece a record 16 times, including in the past two seasons with Auguste Rodin (2023) and Los Angeles (2024), and now Lambourn will bid to replicate his sire Australia by following up blue riband success from Epsom on home soil.

“He’s a lovely horse and like Australia himself, an absolute gentleman,” said O’Brien.

“He has a great mind, stays well and is uncomplicated. He’s a lovely horse to do anything with and he’s just one of those very unique horses – he’s scopey and classy and obviously we were delighted with him in Epsom.

Aidan O’Brien with Lambourn at Epsom
Aidan O’Brien with Lambourn at Epsom (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

“Wayne (Lordan) gave him a beautiful ride at Epsom and Ryan (Moore) rode him the same in Chester – he rode him forward. He won his races doing that last year and when you have a horse like that who is not held hostage to any other horse in the race or anything, he’s just so straightforward.

“Australia was the only horse we ever had here with no fight or flight response and this horse is the same. When you put him in first gear he stays in first gear and second gear is the same and third, fourth up along.

“He’s not influenced by any of his surroundings or any horse around him – he’s a total independent thinker and those type of horses are really a pleasure to deal with.”

It was Joseph O’Brien who was aboard Lambourn’s sire Australia for his father when he secured dual Derby honours in 2014 and he will now seek to win the race for a second time as a trainer with Epsom third Tennessee Stud after Latrobe’s success in 2018.

Tennessee Stud leaving the parade ring at Epsom
Tennessee Stud leaving the parade ring at Epsom (Adam Morgan/PA)

“We were very proud of Tennessee Stud’s run in Epsom. He got back a little bit early, but he came home very strong,” said O’Brien.

“The plan was to come back to the Curragh and his preparation has gone smoothly. We are excited about a rematch with Lambourn.

“I think Tennessee Stud is open to a lot of improvement. His first run of the year was off an extended lay off, he came forward a lot from that run in Epsom where he ran a career best and we’d love if he could run another career best in the Curragh.”

Ralph Beckett knows what it is like to win the Irish Derby following Epsom disappointment, having seen Westover gain Classic compensation on the Curragh in 2022, and will hope to see his Dante scorer Pride Of Arras bounce back after misfiring in his first shot at Classic glory.

One of two in the race for Beckett alongside Cocked Hat runner-up Sir Dinadan, the Pride Of Arras team are firmly retaining belief in the talented son of New Bay and feel a trip to the Curragh could inspire a return to the sparkling form he showed previously at York.

“You would think Lambourn will try to do similar to what he did at Epsom, we’ve just got to try and see if we can get closer,” said Patrick Cooper, owners David and Vimy Aykroyd’s racing manager.

“The Curragh is one of the great racecourses in the world and the track at the Curragh is as good as there is anywhere – it will suit everyone and there is no horse who isn’t suited by the Curragh.

“When you have a good horse like this you have to enjoy it and he showed us how good he was in the Dante, so we’re entitled to keep dreaming.”

Green Impact ahead of his Irish Derby challenge this weekend
Green Impact ahead of his Irish Derby challenge this weekend (Alan Magee/PA)

Also taking their second crack at Classic glory is Jessica Harrington’s Green Impact, who bounced back from his sixth in the 2000 Guineas to take the Glencairn Stakes earlier this month, with connections now keen to explore a mile and a half with the son of Wootton Bassett.

Harrington said: “At the time I was disappointed about the Guineas, but on reflection it wasn’t a bad run and then he went on to win well at Leopardstown last time. After that it was a case of all roads lead to the Irish Derby.

“I think he’ll stay. He’s by Wootton Bassett out of a Galileo mare and is very laid back and relaxed. He’s a big, long-striding horse and the Curragh should suit him.”

Beautify too strong for Lady Iman in Airlie Stud Stakes

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Beautify showed both plenty of heart and quality to account for Lady Iman at the Curragh and give Aidan O’Brien a fourth straight success in the Airlie Stud Stakes.

Most of the pre-race focus centred on Ger Lyons’ unbeaten 8-15 favourite who skipped Royal Ascot in favour of this Group Two event.

She travelled powerfully before breezing into contention in the hands of Colin Keane – but ultimately she proved no match for Beautify, who stepped up significantly on her debut third at this track and was given a fine front-running ride by Ryan Moore.

The daughter of Wootton Bassett was joined by the big-race favourite who loomed menacingly with a furlong to run, but it was soon one-way traffic as the 2-1 winner galloped on strongly for a two-length success.

“Ryan gave her a lovely ride. She had a lovely run first time and came forward lovely since then,” said O’Brien.

“The plan was to get a run into her and then come here for this race. It’s a very good race, a Group Two, an important race and a great track. It’s a very important race for a filly.”

O’Brien is already eyeing stepping Beautify up to seven furlongs, with a return to the Curragh for the Moyglare Stud Stakes during the Irish Champions Festival a possible option for later in the season.

Ryan Moore with Beautify
Ryan Moore with Beautify (Brian Lawless/PA)

“Ryan was very impressed. He said he’d love to go up to seven with her, that’s a very good sign when you hear him talking like that,” added O’Brien.

“Obviously she’s a Moyglare-type filly when Ryan says that, but obviously gets six very strong and travelled very strong.

“Ryan said she really got going inside the furlong marker and started to really open up. It’s great to hear that.

“She’s by Wootton Bassett who is an incredible stallion. The speed that they have and they stay, which is incredible. It’s very unusual, loads of speed and trips seem to be no problem to them either.”

Lyons was not too downcast in defeat for Lady Iman: “It was trainer error. It was a proper horse race and the best horse won. She (Beautify) will go forward in trip and I’ll drop back in trip.

“In defence of the best jockey in Ireland he’s been telling me for quite a while that she is a five furlong horse, but I just refused to listen to him.

Ger Lyons took defeat for Lady Iman on the chin
Ger Lyons took defeat for Lady Iman on the chin (Brian Lawless/PA)

“She’s a lovely filly. I think the fractions were very quick and when she loomed up to Ryan at the furlong pole I went ‘she’s never that good’, but she just got outstayed.

“She’s a proper horse and she owes us nothing. It would have been lovely to tick the Group Two box but we’ll go back now and look for the fives. Take the winner out of it though and we got six well. Six isn’t beyond us either.

“Sometimes you’d be on the ground when you lose, but I’m not. You walked away there knowing something.

“I can now fix what I know and listen to Colin!”

Dorset delivers victory full of promise at the Curragh

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Aidan O’Brien was to the fore in the Barronstown Stud Irish EBF at the Curragh, as Dorset led home stablemate Benvenuto Cellini to open his account at the second attempt.

A son of Wootton Bassett who cost €400,000 as a yearling, he was beaten half a length by fellow Ballydoyle inmate Amadeus Mozart over the same course and distance on debut earlier this month, but the 4-9 favourite was much more streetwise on this occasion to register a length and a half success in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Dorset joins O’Brien’s City Of Troy on the roll of honour for the seven-furlong contest and although he has some way to go before being mentioned in the same breath as the Derby winner, his victory was one of huge potential.

O’Brien said: “He’s a straightforward, lovely horse. He came forward from his first start and he will get further. We’re very happy.

“He’s obviously a Group horse and he’ll be very comfortable when he goes up to a mile. He could go to the Tyros, the Futurity or he could go for the Pat Smullen race – that’s up to a mile.

“The second horse (Benvenuto Cellini) will be a nice maiden next time, he did everything right.”

Joseph O’Brien’s Trustyourinstinct finished second to Jan Brueghel in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai International Stakes In Honour Of Kevin Prendergast 12 months ago and went one better this time to follow up his Orby Stakes victory at the track last month.

The 4-9 favourite proved too strong for Noel Meade’s Layfayette who was three-and-a-quarter lengths adrift of Dylan Browne McMonagle’s mount in second.

“He turns up and runs his race every day. He’s a multiple stakes winner and he loves the Curragh,” said O’Brien.

“Up in class and down in trip today, with a penalty, it wasn’t an easy task and I actually thought he was impressive.

“I’d say it’s right up there with him at his very best. He won here the last day but he kind of fought it out and he outstayed them on the day. Today he showed a little bit of a turn of foot off the bend.

“I’m sure he’ll travel somewhere in the Autumn, he could go to Australia. He has loads of options for good pots.”

Composing calls the tune in informative Curragh maiden

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Wayne Lordan managed to get a great tune out of Composing, as Aidan O’Brien got his Irish Derby weekend off to a flying start at the Curragh on Friday evening.

O’Brien will seek yet another Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby victory with Epsom hero Lambourn on Sunday, but first extended his fine record in the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Irish EBF Fillies Maiden that has produced a plethora of Group One winners for Ballydoyle in recent years.

Lake Victoria (2024) and Ylang Ylang (2023) are the most recent winners of the seven furlong event and Composing – who was sent off at 3-1 – looks to be developing into a smart operator herself as she reversed the form of her debut fifth at this track with Donnacha O’Brien’s Cape Sounion who was second once again.

Ryan Moore was on Minerva who finished well beaten in ninth.

O’Brien said of the winner: “I’m delighted with her, she came forward lovely from her last run.

“The two fillies worked together the last day. Ryan’s filly (Minerva, ninth) followed her up and looked to be going better than her but, for whatever reason, Ryan’s filly is just not getting it together.

“Ryan said all she wanted to do was go right. She’s obviously just very green and babyish mentally so we’ll give her more time.

“Wayne’s filly is lovely and straightforward and he gave her a lovely ride. She’s a filly that will get further, she’s uncomplicated. Ryan was very impressed with her when he came in, watching Wayne’s filly, and Wayne was very happy with her too.

“Wayne said she went to the line with her ears pricked and she probably has the makings of a lovely filly. She’s out of an Australia mare so she’s going to stay as well.”

O’Brien hinted the Debutante Stakes could be her next port of call.

However, the Ballydoyle handler did not get it all his own way on the card and had to settle for second in the opening Lock 13 Gastropub & Brewpub Irish EBF Maiden, as Moore and Puerto Rico lost out to Ger Lyons’ Learntodiscover.

Sent off 7-2, Learntodiscover was given a forward-going ride by Colin Keane and had enough in reserve to hold off the 4-6 favourite by a neck.

“Boxed ticked for our horse and I’d say Ryan (Moore) was a little bit unlucky,” said Lyons.

“It wasn’t a wow performance. He’s a horse that we like but I was probably a tad disappointed with the performance.

“I didn’t like his head carriage in the last furlong, whether that’s conditions or whatever.

“I don’t think he hit the line as strong as you’d like him to hit it if he’s going to go forward into the next level, so let’s just see.

“We’ll go back to Glenburnie and dream about something and try and get him to the next stage, which I haven’t been doing greatly this year so I need to sort that out.”

Lazy Griff all set for a third crack at Lambourn in Irish Derby

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Charlie Johnston is “more than happy” to let Lazy Griff take on Lambourn for a third time in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday.

A Group Three winner in France at the end of his juvenile campaign, Lazy Griff made his return to action in last month’s Chester Vase and emerged with plenty of credit in finishing second to Lambourn, earning him a shot at the Betfred Derby at Epsom.

Johnston’s charge was a widely unconsidered 50-1 shot for the premier Classic, but belied those odds with an excellent effort to again finish best of the rest behind Aidan O’Brien’s front-running colt and round three will take place at the Curragh this weekend.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to come to, perhaps the Grand Prix de Paris might have been an easier challenge and we certainly wouldn’t have been taking on a horse that’s already beaten us twice, but the lure of the Irish Derby was too strong to turn down,” said Johnston.

“We’re under no illusions about the task in hand because it is two-nil to Lambourn, but having said that we weren’t afraid to have another go at him.

“It’ll be interesting to see how the race pans out. You can’t take anything away from Lambourn and what he did at Epsom at all, but at the same time he was given a very good front-running ride and we all maybe gave him a little bit too much rope on the front end.

“Sunday is going to be a different day on a different track with a different field and we’re more than happy to have another go and see what we can do to reverse the form.”

Christophe Soumillon was on board Lazy Griff at Epsom, but as the French-based Belgian is required to partner Goliath in Sunday’s Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Johnston has turned to William Buick to ride his stable star in his bid for Classic glory.

William Buick will ride Lazy Griff for the first time in the Irish Derby
William Buick will ride Lazy Griff for the first time in the Irish Derby (David Davies/PA)

He added: “Obviously it’s a shame as Goliath and Lazy Griff are probably Christophe’s two marquee horses for the season at the moment and it’s sod’s law that they’re both running on the same day.

“It’s a shame for him, but we’re able to bring William in who is obviously top-class but will also be very confident at the moment after a great Royal Ascot, it’s a great replacement to call upon.”

Lazy Griff and Lambourn feature in a 10-strong field following Friday’s declaration stage, with Aidan O’Brien also saddling Lingfield Derby Trial winner Puppet Master and Gallinule Stakes scorer Thrice, as well as Serious Contender and Shackleton, both of whom performed well in defeat at Royal Ascot.

His son Joseph runs Derby third Tennessee Stud, while Green Impact is a fascinating contender for Jessica Harrington on what will be his first attempt at a mile and a half.

Ralph Beckett’s Dante winner Pride Of Arras bids to bounce back from Epsom disappointment, with his stablemate Sir Dinadan completing the line-up.

2025 Irish Derby Trends

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The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is a Group One contest run over 1m4f at the Curragh racecourse.

In recent years, the race has been dominated by one trainer – Aidan O’Brien, who has landed the lucrative pot a staggering 16 times since 1997 and you can expect the Ballydoyle handler to be mob-handed once again. He won the race 12 months ago with Los Angeles (13/8) and also won in 2019 with 33/1 shot Sovereign, so don’t be afraid to back any of O’Brien’s bigger-priced runners.

We take a look back at past winners, plus give you all the key stats ahead of the 2025 renewal, this year run on Sunday 29th June.

Recent Irish Derby Winners

2024 - LOS ANGELES (13/8)
2023 - AUGUSTE RODIN (4/11 fav)
2022 - WESTOVER (11/8 jfav)
2021 – HURRICANE LANE (4/1)
2020 – SANTIAGO (2/1 fav)
2019 – SOVEREIGN (33/1)
2018 – LATROBE (14/1)
2017 – CAPRI (6/1)
2016 – HARZAND (4/6 fav)
2015 – JACK HOBBS (10/11 fav)
2014 – AUSTRALIA (1/8 fav)
2013 – TRADING LEATHER (6/1)
2012 - CAMELOT  (1/5 fav)
2011 – TREASURE BEACH (7/2)
2010 – CAPE BLANCO (7/2)
2009 – FAME AND GLORY (8/11 fav)
2008 – FROZEN FIRE (16/1)
2007 – SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (5/1)
2006 – DYLAN THOMAS (9/2 fav)
2005 – HURRICANE RUN (4/5 fav)
2004 – GREY SWALLOW (10/1)
2003 – ALAMSHAR (4/1)

Irish Derby Betting Trends and Stats

22/22 – Raced within the last 5 weeks
19/22 – Favourites that were placed in the top 4
18/22 – Won by an Irish-based yard
18/22 – Returned 6/1 or shorter in the betting
18/22 – Won a Group race before
18/22 – Had won over at least 1m2f before
17/22 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
17/22 – Finished in the top 3 last time out
16/22 – Had 3 or more wins in their career
16/22 – Ran in the Epsom Derby last time out
15/22 – Failed to win their last race
15/22 – Had never raced at the Curragh before
13/22 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien (won the race 16 times in total)
11/22 – Placed in the Epsom Derby (4 winners, Auguste Rodin, Harzand, Australia & Camelot)
5/22 – Previous Group 1 winners
4/22 – Ridden by Seamie Heffernan
2/22 – Ridden by William Buick
2/22 - Ridden by Ryan Moore (last two)
Jockey Ryan Moore won the Irish Derby for the first time in 2023

 

19 horses have done the Epsom/Irish Derby double 

  • 2023 - Auguste Rodin
  • 2016 - Harzand
  • 2014 - Australia
  • 2012 - Camelot
  • 2002 - High Chaparral
  • 2001 - Galileo
  • 2000 - Sinndar
  • 1993 - Commander In Chief
  • 1991 - Generous
  • 1988 - Kahyasi
  • 1986 - Shahrastani
  • 1981 - Shergar
  • 1979 - Troy
  • 1978 - Shirley Heights
  • 1977 - The Minstrel
  • 1975 - Grundy
  • 1970 - Nijinsky
  • 1964 - Santa Claus
  • 1907 - Orby

 

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Lambourn on course to bid for Epsom-Curragh Derby double

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Betfred Derby hero Lambourn will face a maximum of nine rivals when he bids to follow up in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday.

The son of Australia provided trainer Aidan O’Brien with an 11th victory in the premier Classic at Epsom and is set to turn out three weeks later in a bid to emulate his sire and several other past Ballydoyle stars in becoming a dual Derby winner.

He could renew rivalry with the second and third from the Derby in Charlie Johnston’s Lazy Griff and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Tennessee Stud, although connections of the former have warned rain is required if he is to make the trip across the Irish Sea.

Green Impact has won three of his five starts for Jessica Harrington and is a major contender if staying the mile and a half, while Ralph Beckett’s Dante Stakes winner Pride Of Arras has the opportunity to put Epsom disappointment behind him on this more conventional track.

Beckett has also confirmed Sir Dinadan, with the potential field completed by four of Lambourn’s stablemates in Puppet Master, Serious Contender, Thrice and Shackleton

The previous afternoon sees Group One honours up for grabs in the Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes, for which 15 fillies and mares have stood their ground.

Andrew Balding’s Kalpana could return to the Curragh a month after finishing third behind Los Angeles and Anmaat in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, while O’Brien senior has left in Oaks second Whirl and French Oaks runner-up Bedtime Story, as well as Ecstatic.

Estrange was an impressive winner at Haydock
Estrange was an impressive winner at Haydock (Martin Rickett/PA)

Other contenders include Henry de Bromhead’s Higher Leaves and David O’Meara’s potential British challenger Estrange, who was tremendously impressive in winning the Group Three Lester Piggott Stakes at Haydock on her most recent start.

Chris Richardson, managing director for Estrange’s owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: “We’re just going to have a look. We’re probably favouring the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock the following week, but we’re just going to watch the rainfall.

“It’s all to play for really, I don’t quite know what we’re going to do. I think they’re likely to get some rain at the end of next week at Haydock and they’ll probably get some in Ireland as well, but I think the trip of a mile and a half at Haydock will probably suit her better, rather than going back to a slightly shorter trip on Saturday.

“We’ll see what Mrs Thompson (owner) wants to do.”

Delacroix pencilled in to join Camille Pissarro at Sandown

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Beaten Derby favourite Delacroix has been halved in price by the sponsors for the Coral-Eclipse after Aidan O’Brien indicated he would be joining Camille Pissarro in the Sandown highlight on Saturday week.

Winner of two key Derby trials at Leopardstown prior to Epsom, he failed to land a blow on the big day behind his stablemate Lambourn but has been cut to 10-1 by Coral for the 10-furlong Esher showpiece.

He will now drop back in tip at Sandown and run alongside French Derby winner Camille Pissarro, although the race is likely to come too quickly for another stablemate, Trinity College, who won the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot last week.

“The Eclipse will probably come a bit quick for Trinity College so we’re probably thinking of letting Delacroix take that slot along with Camille, that’s what we’re thinking,” O’Brien told the Nick Luck Daily podcast.

“Trinity looks like he’s a Group One horse now, but when the others are there the timing means it fits in a little bit better for them.

“Don’t rule out Trinity yet, but I’d imagine it will be the other two instead of him.”

O’Brien working back from the Arc with Los Angeles

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Los Angeles will have the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on his agenda in the autumn, as he now heads for a mid-season break following his below-par display in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Last year’s Irish Derby winner went to Royal Ascot unbeaten in two starts this year and was sent off the 13-8 favourite for the 10-furlong feature on Wednesday after registering the third Group One of his career in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month.

However, he could only finish fifth, beaten seven lengths behind impressive winner Ombudsman, with trainer Aidan O’Brien now inclined to freshen up his leading middle-distance performer before returning to Paris in the autumn, where he was third 12 months ago.

O’Brien said: “He’s going to have a little break now and he’ll come back for an Arc prep and then go to the Arc.

“The 10 furlongs was always going to be a bit tight for him and he’s always been a mile-and-a-half horse. He stayed at 10 as it suited us to stick there for now.

“He’ll have something like the Royal Whip or something at the Curragh (August 16) on the way to the Arc.”

O’Brien expecting Illinois progress after Gold Cup defeat

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Aidan O’Brien feels there is room for improvement in the staying division with Illinois, after his planned super-sub had to make do with the silver medal in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Less than a month ago the Ballydoyle handler expected to be saddling dual Gold Cup hero Kyprios in his bid for a 10th victory in the two-and-a-half-mile feature, but the recurrence of an old injury and his star stayer’s subsequent retirement left O’Brien with no option but to shuffle his pack.

Illinois looked bound for the Coronation Cup at Epsom following his winning reappearance in Chester’s Ormonde Stakes, but Jan Brueghel successfully stepped in to fill that void, meaning Illinois was asked to run over a full mile further in Berkshire and he found Kyprios’ old rival Trawlerman too strong.

O’Brien said: “We thought Illinois would be a Gold Cup horse next year and obviously the plan was Kyprios would come here this year and Illinois would step up next year.

“The plan was for him to go to the Coronation and I was training him as a good mile-and-a-half horse, and then when Kyprios retired we switched him to this race.

“We have to be happy with the run and he had a lovely preparation the last day. Maybe if we knew he was coming here straight away, we might of had him going earlier and maybe lighter.”

While Illinois was seemingly put in his place by Trawlerman, O’Brien would not shirk a potential rematch in the Goodwood Cup, adding: “He might go to Goodwood and meet this horse again and I would imagine he will progress again then.

“He got tired at the two-furlong pole today, like a lot of horses do, and we will see if we can improve him another little bit for this distance.

“It shows how good Kyprios was as Trawlerman had been second to him a couple of times, I think.”

Illinois was beaten seven lengths by Trawlerman and was a further seven lengths clear of Saeed bin Suroor’s Dubai Future in third.

“He did well and he stayed. I put a hood and cheekpieces on him which made him nice and relaxed in the race,” said bin Suroor.

“James (McDonald) gave him a good ride and he’s tough – he’s a horse who at nine years old is still young at heart. He’s doing really well and we are very happy with him.

“I think we will go to Goodwood next. The winner is a good horse, but I am pleased with my horse’s run.”

The disappointment of the race was perhaps French raider Candelari, who had won four of his five previous starts for Francis Henri-Graffard but was a well-beaten sixth on this occasion.

Graffard said: “He was travelling nicely when the pace was fine but when the winner started to quicken and upped the pace, my horse was quite surprised.

“To come here in this type of race, they need the experience. In France they don’t learn an awful lot as they crawl in races then sprint. This horse has a great turn of foot but he can’t use his turn of foot in a race like that over that distance.

“He gained a lot of experience there and he is only four and still improving, but it is still disappointing. I need to learn and think how I can get him better to be competitive.

“I think he is still an exciting stayer, as you saw from his win in France, but today was a different game over a very long distance.

“I have a lot of faith in him and six months ago he hadn’t seen a racecourse, so he has come a long way in a short space of time.”

Garden Of Eden blossoms in Ribblesdale Stakes

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Garden Of Eden continued her progress to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with a record sixth victory in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Ballydoyle handler saddled three runners in the Group Two contest, with Ryan Moore siding with Garden Of Eden (7-1), who struggled in successive Group races in the spring but raised her game to claim a Listed prize at Naas on her most recent appearance.

Island Hopping was deployed in a pacesetting role, but her early exertions took their toll from the home turn, while Garden Of Eden galloped on powerfully up the straight to score by three and a quarter lengths from Understudy, with 2-1 favourite Catalina Delcarpio back in third.

O’Brien said: “I was impressed with that, I’m delighted. She’s getting better which is great.

“We always thought stepping up in trip would help her and we stepped her up to a mile and a quarter the last day and she improved a lot.

“She’s by Saxon Warrior and when they go up in distance they do get better so she obviously improved for the step up.

“The Irish Oaks would be a possibility, but she could also go to America for a Grade One over there, we will have to see.”

Charles Darwin lives up to his billing in Norfolk Stakes

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Charles Darwin enhanced his already lofty reputation with a dominant front-running victory in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

A full-brother to a top-class two-year-old in Blackbeard, the imposing Aidan O’Brien-trained son of No Nay Never finished fourth on his Curragh debut but had since impressed with victories at Navan and Naas.

Those who sent him off at odds of 8-13 will have had few concerns, with Charles Darwin soon bowling along in front under Ryan Moore, finding plenty once challenged and going away at the line to readily account for Wise Approach and Sandal’s Song.

“He’s lovely, Ryan always loved him and everyone always loved him at home,” said O’Brien.

“He’s a big, powerful, strong horse. He really looks like a four-year-old racing against two-year-olds.

“I didn’t know if Ryan was going to make the running or drop him in, but he decides that. He always thought he had loads left with the way he came on the bridle.

“He’s very quick, a big and mature physical and everyone who rides him says he has a very good mind as well – he’s very exciting.

“We were hoping he would get a lead as he never sees the front at home, he’s very strong and very quick.”

On the Ballydoyle pecking order regarding juveniles, O’Brien added: “Albert Einstein is always just something like we’ve never seen before, the way he works.

“This horse is very fast – he’s a sprinter, I don’t know how far he’s going to get, because he’s very quick, and the horse the other day (Gstaad) looks like he’s going to get seven, which means he could get a mile.”

Paddy Power made Charles Darwin 4-1 to become the first two-year-old since Kingsgate Native in 2007 to win York’s Nunthorpe Stakes later in the summer, with O’Brien suggesting connections would have to consider that event if the speedy colt continues to thrive over the minimum trip.

“It would obviously be possible as he’s fast, he’s big and he’s mature,” said O’Brien.

“The lads will decide and it’s obviously really early days to be talking about that yet, but it would be possible.

“He’s obviously a Middle Park Stakes-type of horse and obviously there is the July meeting at Newmarket and Goodwood to come, so there’s plenty of races to come.”

Charlie Appleby was determined to take the positives from Wise Approach’s run in second after he bounced back from defeat at York.

Appleby said: “We felt we were very much drawn on the wrong side, but the main thing about today was setting him up for the future and riding a very different race to what we saw at York. We wanted to drop him in and we didn’t feel there was the strength there to carry us through the race if we rode him handy.

“We made the decision to drop in, ride a race and get him to finish and he’s done all of that, so finishing second to a very high-class racehorse in Charles Darwin, you have to take plenty of positives.

“There’s going to be a nice pot in this horse and I think although he’s versatile enough for five or six furlongs, we can probably look for six now and ride a similar sort of race. With racing he’s learning.

“I’m not sure where we go, we have Maximized teed-up for the July Stakes at Newmarket and his form is working out nicely after the Windsor Castle, but you can never have too many in them. There will be options and I’ll move them around accordingly.”

There was not to be a second Royal Ascot winner for US handler George Weaver, but connections can remain positive about the new Wathnan Racing acquisition who will now be targeted at the Breeders’ Cup.

Wathnan’s US representative Case Clay said: “George really knows what he is doing with these two-year-olds and his assistant Blair (Golen) has done a wonderful job since getting here.

“As you saw in the paddock beforehand he is a very straightforward horse and I’m very proud of his effort. There was a moment there I got very excited, but he was beaten by a very good colt and it was such a valiant effort in defeat.

“We will take him back to the US and we’ll target the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and work backwards from that and try to get there.”

O’Brien looks to Illinois in search for perfect 10 in Gold Cup

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Illinois will go into unknown territory when he plays the role of super-sub for Aidan O’Brien in his search for a 10th victory in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

The master of Ballydoyle handler has an unrivalled record in the two-and-a-half-mile feature, with the brilliant four-time winner Yeats, Fame And Glory, Leading Light, Order Of St George and dual scorer Kyprios all featuring on the roll of honour.

Kyprios looked well placed to make it a hat-trick after winning Ireland’s two key trials in the spring, but his subsequent retirement led to a shuffling of the pack and it was last month’s Ormonde Stakes winner Illinois who got the call-up.

O’Brien said: “Everything has gone well so far and we always thought he was a horse who could step into the role of a Gold Cup horse.

“We thought he could do that next year and he was standing in line behind Kyprios, but he’s had his run and it went well.

“We have always thought he would stay the trip, but it’s not until you go past the quarter (mile) pole in the Gold Cup that you find out.”

Trawlerman and Sweet William finished second and third respectively behind Kyprios 12 months ago and the John and Thady Gosden-trained duo are back for another tilt at Gold Cup glory.

Trawlerman in action at Sandown
Trawlerman in action at Sandown (Adam Davy/PA)

Reflecting on Sweet William’s comeback third in last month’s Yorkshire Cup, Gosden senior said: “It was a great run at York as a mile and six (furlongs) would be on the sharp side for him.

“He enjoys the climb at Ascot and he’s solid at two and a quarter miles and as always two and a half takes him into no man’s land, but we’ve been very pleased with his preparation.

“He’s in great order and he’s a wonderful character. He does everything in his own time and hopefully his work (last week) will have sharpened him up nicely.”

Of Trawlerman, he added: “He won the Henry II well and is training nicely. He’s a different type of horse to Sweet William as Trawlerman likes to bowl along, whereas the other comes with a strong late run and to that extent they suit each other rather well as they are not trying to do the same job.

“There’s no Kyprios this year, but it will still be a smart field and it will be a good race with Illinois in there.”

French hopes are carried by Francis-Henri Graffard’s Candelari, who has come a long way since making a winning debut on the all-weather at Chantilly in early December, most recently impressing with a Group One triumph in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at ParisLongchamp.

Nemone Routh, racing manager for the late Aga Khan’s French Studs, said: “We’re very happy with the horse, he worked well last week and it looks like he’s taken his last run very well.

“The question marks are over whether he will stay the distance, we believe he will be because he finishes his races strongly but obviously that is an unknown, and he probably lacks the experience of the rest of the field.

“He only made his debut in December, so he’s only really been racing for six months, but then he’s not got as many miles on the clock as some of the others and I think he’s a natural stayer and a very genuine horse.”

It would be quite a story if Candelari were to win what is arguably the biggest race of the entire week at Royal Ascot given he was very nearly moved on seven months ago.

“He is a horse who has taken us massively by surprise,” Routh added.

“We nearly sold him unraced in November but took him out during the week of the sale because he is so well-bred and he hadn’t had any major setbacks. He’s just a big horse who was quite immature and after we castrated him it took us a while to get him fit again.

“He’s obviously not a flashy worker as he’s a staying horse, but we just felt we’d give him a chance and then Francis found that first race for him on the Fibresand at Chantilly when he was incredibly green, he reared up in the stalls and lost 10 lengths at the start. If you watch the race it’s hilarious and he still won by eight lengths!

“He really did show us something that day and he’s never looked back. It shows that sometimes these horses just need time. They’re not fast, they’re not two-year-olds and he wasn’t really even a three-year-old, but if you give them time they can repay you and he has repaid us in spades.

“It’s been an amazing story already, we think he’s an improving horse and the good thing is he will have his ground as he needs good, fast ground to be at his best.