Tag Archive for: Auguste Rodin

Coolmore thrilled with initial response to superstar rookie stallions

/in /by

There is excitement in the air in Tipperary, with two of the finest horses to represent Coolmore on the racecourse about to embark on their first season in the stallion ranks.

For all City Of Troy and Auguste Rodin achieved on the track, their legacy could truly be cemented in their new role producing future champions of their own.

The two Classic winners form a formidable first-season line-up for Coolmore, as they are joined at the historic Fethard nursery by fellow freshman Henry Longfellow, the Group One-winning juvenile out of the exceptional dual Classic winner Minding.

Hailing from superstar sires, they have all proved their fathers’ sons on the track. But now there is eager anticipation as the bloodstock world waits to see if they can stamp the stars of the future with the same distinctive hallmarks.

City Of Troy at Coolmore
City Of Troy at Coolmore (Vicki Gibbins/PA)

“We’ve seen an incredible reaction to these three first-season sires and we have been extremely lucky to be able to retire three Group One winners of such quality,” said Mark Byrne, head of nominations at Coolmore.

“The trio are by superstar stallions in Justify, Deep Impact and Dubawi and all three are out of Group One-winning fillies. It’s a massive achievement for Coolmore to have horses of this calibre to showcase and I think we have something for everyone.

“They were brilliant racehorses, we’ve priced them up in the hope they will be appealing and they are – the breeders and the market have accepted them and they are going to be popular horses, so the next step is now to just go and get the mares out and produce the foals.”

City Of Troy will of course need no introduction to the many breeders from across the globe after his unquestionable exploits on the track that saw him become an unbeaten champion at two and the exceptional performer of his Classic generation the following year.

His quest for greatness at the Breeders’ Cup may have ended in dirt disappointment but that does not diminish from the son of Justify’s impeccable career on turf and a horse Aidan O’Brien describes as the best to grace his hallowed Ballydoyle training grounds.

“Obviously, City Of Troy was a superstar racehorse,” continued Byrne. “In particular, what he did that day in the Juddmonte (International) – and I don’t want to underwhelm that he was a champion two-year-old in Europe, who also won a Derby and an Eclipse – but what he did that day at York was incredible.

“He’s more his mother than Justify and there is a lot of Galileo about him. He’s full of quality, has an excellent action and is a great mover. He’s a good size with scope and strength, so that will be a bit of Justify in him, but for the most part there’s a lot of Galileo about him.”

City Of Troy may lay claim to being O’Brien’s most treasured pupil, but there was also never any doubt about the esteem in which he held Auguste Rodin, the dual Derby scorer with Group Ones to his name at two, three and four.

Along with Henry Longfellow, all three were the consummate professionals during their racing careers and have made an impeccable impression since adjusting to a new way of life

“They are just settling into their new routines and I suppose life is a little more mundane for them now,” added Byrne.

Auguste Rodin was an exceptional winner of six Group Ones
Auguste Rodin was an exceptional winner of six Group Ones (Brian Lawless/PA)

“They are three homebreds, so from the time that these foals are born, they are so well handled by everyone at Coolmore and set to such high standards that they are just super to deal with.

“You can imagine as racehorses they can be different because they are in full training, but they’re just getting used to a slower pace of life now and settling in.

“It is so far, so good and they are all just the ultimate professionals, they all just come out and walk and show and stand up and have been very good to deal with.

“We just hope to get off to a good start, they will start covering in the next month or so and it’s a case of just onto the next job for them now.”

You only had to see America’s excitement over City Of Troy’s Breeders’ Cup Classic challenge or the masses who descended on Tokyo to witness Auguste Rodin’s fitting farewell in the homeland of his father Deep Impact to get a sense of the international appeal of these debutants to the market.

City Of Troy in the paddock before the Breeders' Cup Classic
City Of Troy in the paddock before the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Neil Morrice/PA)

When you blend in Coolmore’s first-ever sire by Dubawi, it is no surprise that the trio could prove vital to the organisation’s continued success on the worldwide bloodstock stage.

“We’ve had a hell of a lot of visitors from all over the world, from as far as America, Japan and all over Europe to see these horses,” continued Byrne.

“When you have horses capable of winning at the Breeders’ Cup or are by international stallions like an Asian stallion, an American stallion and then Dubawi, they are going to be hugely appealing all over the world.

“You only have to go to Book One or the December Sales at Newmarket and see how important the international market is for our stallions.

“These horses will be well known and if you imagine in a few years, when you go to present a yearling at the sales, their sires and their sires’ pedigrees won’t take too much explaining.”

Galileo's legacy continued at Coolmore
Galileo’s legacy continues at Coolmore (PA)

Think of Coolmore and the mind instantly turns to Galileo, a stallion who is without comparison in recent history.

Although City Of Troy, Auguste Rodin and Henry Longfellow are all by world-renowned producers in their own right, there is no escaping the heavy Galileo presence on the dam’s side of their respective pages, something Byrne sees as the ultimate blessing.

“We’ve obviously got a lot of Galileo mares and we have spaced them out to different sire lines accordingly – and I think it’s an incredible asset to have Galileo in the pedigree,” he added.

“When you mix that in with Justify, Deep Impact or Dubawi, then that is an incredible cocktail to work with.

“I think it can only be a positive thing and when you have, for example, Justify over Galileo, Dubawi over Galileo or Deep Impact over Galileo, they are breed-shaping stallions of the highest level you can possibly imagine, so I think it is only a good thing.”

Henry Longfellow is another recruit to the Coolmore stallion ranks
Henry Longfellow is another recruit to the Coolmore stallion ranks (Donall Farmer/PA)

Time will tell if City Of Troy, Auguste Rodin and Henry Longfellow can truly transcend into the upper echelons of both racing and breeding folklore, but for now the waiting game begins as covering season rapidly approaches.

For those within Coolmore, dreams will soon start to turn to reality, as the mares begin to arrive in Tipperary and the countdown begins to welcoming the stars of the future.

“We’re forever optimists and always looking forward to the next exciting thing – and fortunately this is a game where there is plenty of opportunity for that,” said Byrne.

“You are obviously waiting for those first foals and those foals become yearlings and then you are near to a runner, so I suppose the thing about this game is there is always something to look forward to, whether that is a foal to be born, a first runner to be entered – there’s something to be looked forward to all the time.”

Auguste Rodin hailed by Japanese fans after Tokyo finale

/in /by

Auguste Rodin was afforded a hero’s farewell after finishing eighth in his Japan Cup swansong at Tokyo racecourse.

A son of Japanese sensation Deep Impact, Aidan O’Brien’s dual Derby-winner was attempting to follow in his sire’s footsteps and add the Japan Cup to his hugely-decorated CV.

However, he struggled to make his presence felt in Tokyo as Do Deuce took home the spoils, leaving Auguste Rodin to bow out having won eight of his 16 career starts, with six of those victories coming at the highest level.

As well as his Derby triumphs at both Epsom and the Curragh, he landed the Futurity Trophy as a juvenile and along with further success on home soil in the Irish Champion Stakes, was a winner in America when capturing the Breeders’ Cup Turf under a fine Ryan Moore ride at Santa Anita in 2023.

Auguste Rodin's final victory came at Royal Ascot in the summer
Auguste Rodin’s final victory came at Royal Ascot in the summer (John Walton/PA)

His final Group One victory came at Royal Ascot this summer when producing a brilliant display to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and he retires having amassed just shy of £5million in prize-money.

Auguste Rodin was honoured with a farewell ceremony following his final outing in Japan and Moore, the man who has ridden the colt in all but one of his career starts, paid tribute.

He said: “He was very special from the first day I saw him and the first day I sat on him he impressed me and I believe I said to Aidan ‘I think he’ll win the Derby’.

“He was always a special horse and a beautiful mover, much like his sire, and the way he won the Derby, he gave me an unbelievable feel.

“I have been privileged to ride a lot of great horses but he is right up there with the very best.”

Over 15,000 spectators stayed behind after racing to witness Auguste Rodin’s retirement ceremony, where O’Brien also spoke, expressing his gratitude at being entrusted with one of Deep Impact’s finest progeny.

O’Brien said: “It’s been an incredible journey for us and we’ve been privileged to have him. There have been so many people involved with him and Ryan took him all the way through his career and gave him unbelievable rides.

“It’s been unbelievable for us really, he has shown class from day one and through all of his races. He has a great mind and is a beautiful mover. Being by Deep Impact out of a Galileo mare, he brought two continents together and it was a privilege to have a son of Deep Impact with such class and quality.

“We always dreamed he would end up here for his last run, that was the dream and he retires safe and sound.”

Graffard backing Goliath to be big in Japan

/in /by

Francis-Henri Graffard is confident Goliath can step up to the mark as he prepares to take his chance in the Japan Cup in Tokyo on Sunday.

The gelding ran for the first time outside of France when second in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, after which he was an impressive winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes ahead of subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking.

Ineligible for that race, Goliath was instead aimed at the Preis von Europa at Cologne but missed that meeting due to an abscess and was successfully rerouted to the Prix du Conseil de Paris.

That victory left him in a good place before his trip to Japan and having travelled well and settled in pleasingly, his trainer is hopeful ahead of the horse’s reunion with rider Christophe Soumillon.

“The distance and the left-handed track is not a problem for the horse. He can follow any pace and he can quicken from the pace. It’s a big challenge, but we’re very keen to take it,” Graffard said.

QIPCO King George Day – Ascot Racecourse – Saturday 27th July
Goliath after his King George victory (Steven Paston/PA)

“Goliath means quality. He is now four years old, so he’s more mature. He has a lot of strength but his main quality is that he can jump and has a very good early pace, which is important in this type of race, and then he has an amazing turn of foot.

“The races here are very hard to win, but I think we have the right horse to take that challenge and we are here to be very competitive, so fingers crossed.”

A notable runner for both locals and overseas followers is Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin, who is by the late Japan Cup winner Deep Impact.

The four-year-old completed the English-Irish Derby double and won the Breeders’ Cup Turf last season but has encountered mixed fortunes this year, though he did win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and go close in the Irish Champion among beaten efforts in the Sheema Classic, Tattersalls Gold Cup and the King George.

Royal Ascot 2024 – Day Two – Ascot Racecourse
Auguste Rodin when victorious at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

Ahead of his final run and trip to his sire’s homeland, O’Brien said: “We always dreamed that Auguste Rodin could finish off his career in Japan – obviously he’s by one of the greatest stallions ever. We always dreamed that he could be a horse for the Japan Cup.

“It was a dream that we could win the Japan Cup, we’ve tried it before but no horse was as good as this horse.

“At the moment, we couldn’t be happier. He’s a very straightforward horse. He’s a very good mover and has a very good mind.

“Obviously, the Japan Cup is a very prestigious race and that’s why he is here for it. It’s considered one of the best races in the world every year.”

The third and final European contender is Sarah Steinberg’s German colt Fantastic Moon, who was ninth in the Arc when last seen but won the Grosser Preis von Baden prior to that.

“In spite of the long journey coming here, he travelled well. After arriving in Japan, he adapted to the new environment quickly and is in good condition,” said the trainer.

“As we all know, the Japan Cup is a big race with very strong runners. It’s also famous for the strong pace, which I think will suit our horse. That’s one of the reasons why we decided to run him in the Japan Cup.

“The European raiders are also very hard to beat, so for Fantastic Moon to finish within the money might be challenging, but we hope to prepare him, keep him in good form and send him off in the best condition possible.”

Auguste Rodin ‘in good condition’ after Japan Cup gallop

/in /by

Multiple Group One winner Auguste Rodin went through his paces at Tokyo racecourse on Wednesday as he prepares for the final race of his career in the Japan Cup.

Aidan O’Brien arrived in the country to witness the send-off of a horse who has won six Group Ones, including a Derby double, the Breeders’ Cup Turf and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Last time out, he went down narrowly to William Haggas’ Economics when attempting to win back-to-back Irish Champion Stakes, and he will sign off his career in the country of his sire Deep Impact, who is hero-worshipped in Japan.

“He did a lovely seven furlongs on the grass this morning, just to show him the track, and he looked comfortable. Rachel (Richardson, rider) was happy with him, Patrick (Keating), who takes care of him, said he came back to the barn in good condition, and we’re all pleased with how he is,” said O’Brien.

“He’s a horse that has speed and class, has long strides and big actions and is great at the mile-and-a-half distance, so I think the course here at Tokyo and the Japan Cup will suit him.”

Before even taking the home team into consideration, however, Auguste Rodin will need to see off Goliath, impressive winner of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, in which Auguste Rodin could finish only fifth.

Goliath’s trainer Francis Graffard watched him work under big-race pilot Christophe Soumillon and said: “The horse is in good form and we are very satisfied with how he ran on the turf course this morning.

Goliath was an easy winner of the King George
Goliath was an easy winner of the King George (Steven Paston/PA)

“This year after winning the King George, we concentrated on preparing him for the Japan Cup. I think he’s the best horse I’ve brought here so far and have been very much looking forward to coming to Japan.”

Soumillon was very positive about Goliath’s condition, adding: “The horse looks stronger than he did back home. This morning, Le Nomade led and they ran smoothly in a good pace.

“The turf condition is not bad and since he does well on softer ground, I’m hoping that it stays the same up to Sunday.

“You need a good horse with speed and the stamina to sustain that speed to win the Japan Cup. We are here with Goliath because we have the confidence that he will perform well.”

2024 Futurity Trophy Stakes Trends

/in /by

The William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes is staged each year at Doncaster racecourse and is for 2 year-olds only.

The Group One race is run over a distance of 1m and is an excellent guide and trial to the following year’s Classics, in particular the 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby - backed up in recent years with High Chaparral, Motivator, Authorized, Camelot and, most-recently, Auguste Rodin all winning the William Hill Futurity Trophy before going onto take the Epsom Derby the next season, while recent winners – Saxon Warrior, Magna Grecia and Kameko, who the race is named after this year - went onto land the 2,000 Guineas the following season.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has won the race a remarkable 11 times, including in 2022 with Auguste Rodin, who went onto win the Epsom Derby. Ryan Moore is also another jockey making the race his own - with 3 wins since 2017.

Lester Piggott and Pat Eddery remain the winning-most jockeys with 5 wins each. While last year in 2023 the Charlie Appleby team won the race for the first time whrn Ancient Wisdom won the race for jockey William Buick.

Here at GeeGeez we take a look back at recent winners and highlights the key stats ahead of the 2024 renewal.

Kameko Futurity Trophy Winners

2023 - Aincient Wisdom (5/4 fav)
2022 - Auguste Rodin (9/4 fav)
2021 – Luxembourg (4/6 fav)
2020 - Mac Swiney (12/1)
2019 – Kameko (11/2)
2018 – Magna Grecia (2/1 fav)
2017 – Saxon Warrior (13/8 fav)
2016 – Rivet (11/4)
2015 – Marcel (33/1)
2014 – Elm Park (13/8 fav)
2013 – Kingston Hill (7/2 fav)
2012 – Kingsbarns (15/8 fav)
2011 – Camelot (10/11 fav)
2010 – Casamento (2/1 fav)
2009 – St Nicholas Abbey (13/8 fav)
2008 – Crowded House (7/1)
2007 – Ibn Khaldun (11/4 fav)
2006 – Authorized (25/1)
2005 – Palace Episode (20/1)
2004 – Motivator (6/4 fav)
2003 – American Post (5/6 fav)
2002 – Brian Boru (11/8 fav)

Note: The 2006 renewal was staged at Newbury
Note: The 2019 renewal was staged at Newcastle

Kameko Futurity Trophy Betting Trends

20/22 – Had won either 1 or 2 races before
19/22 – Winning distance – 1 ¼ lengths or more
19/22 – Placed favourites
18/22 - Foaled in February or later
18/22 – Finished in the top two last time out
17/22 – Raced within the last 4 weeks
16/22 – Had raced at least twice previously
15/22 – Winning favourites
14/22 – Ran at either the Curragh or Newmarket last time out
14/22 – Won their last race
13/22 – Foaled in either Feb or March
13/22 – Had won over a mile in the past
10/22 – Won by an Irish-based yard
8/22 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien (11 wins in total)
4/22 – Ridden by Andrea Atzeni (won 4 of the last 10)
3/22 - Ridden by Ryan Moore
Trainer John Gosden have NEVER won this race
Aidan O’Brien has won the race 11 times – 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2021 & 2022
The average SP in the last 22 runnings is 6/1

================================================

TRAINERS-QUOTES.COM

GET THE BEST DAILY TRAINER INFO FROM 13 TOP STABLES - Sent direct to your in-box!

**SPECIAL OFFER** TRY US FOR JUST £1.99!!

FIND OUT MORE HERE

==================================================

Los Angeles to spearhead O’Brien’s Arc squad

/in /by

Los Angeles is set to lead the Ballydoyle assault on next Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – with Auguste Rodin also poised to be left in the race in case conditions at ParisLongchamp are quick.

Aidan O’Brien has won Europe’s richest middle-distance prize twice in the past with Dylan Thomas (2007) and Found (2016) and joining this year’s Irish Derby winner on the team sheet are Coronation Cup winner Luxembourg and last year’s St Leger hero Continuous.

However, O’Brien is keen to also give himself the option of adding Auguste Rodin to his squad of runners.

The six-time Group One winner is scheduled to bow out and head to stud after running in the Japan Cup later in the autumn, but a trip to France could serve as the ideal tune-up for his swansong if his favoured quick ground appears in the going description.

Auguste Rodin (left) was last seen in a titanic battle with Economics at Leopardstown
Auguste Rodin (left) was last seen in a titanic battle with Economics at Leopardstown (Healy Racing)

O’Brien said: “The plan is for Los Angeles to go, but Auguste Rodin has been kept on the go just in case the ground came up on the fast side, which it probably won’t.

“Last year I didn’t do it and it came up fast, so I said I won’t make the same mistake this time.

“He’ll probably be going straight to Japan, unless the ground is going to be quick at Longchamp.

“The plan is for Continuous to go and probably Luxembourg.”

Two Ballydoyle inmates that will not be in the Arc reckoning are star stayer Kyprios and Nassau Stakes winner Opera Singer.

Kyprios is the undoubted star of the staying division
Kyprios is the undoubted star of the staying division (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The former will instead attempt to recreate his astonishing Prix du Cadran success of two years ago, while Opera Singer will return to 10 furlongs and go for the Prix de l’Opera after struggling over a mile and a half in the Prix Vermeille.

“Kyprios will go for the Cadran,” continued O’Brien.

“If Opera Singer goes it will probably be for the mile-and-a-quarter fillies’ race.”

Auguste Rodin to retire after Japan Cup swansong

/in /by

Dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin is set to retire to stud following a final run in the Japan Cup in November.

The son of Deep Impact is a six-times Group/Grade One winner, landing the Futurity Trophy as a juvenile before securing Derby glory at both and Epsom and the Curragh last year.

He subsequently claimed the Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf at three before winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier this summer.

It is fitting he will return to the country in which his sire made his name for his final on-track appearance before commencing stallion duties for the 2025 season at Coolmore’s base in Ireland.

Auguste Rodin beat King Of Steel at Epsom
Auguste Rodin beat King Of Steel at Epsom (Tim Goode/PA)

“Auguste Rodin is out of Rhododendron, one of the best Galileo mares, and by Deep Impact, Japan’s best stallion,” said Aidan O’Brien, who has overseen the colt’s career.

“He connects two of the most powerful breeding lines in the world. He has been a pleasure and a privilege to train.

“He is just a very unique horse and we’re very excited to see what he will achieve at stud. We will be supporting him with our own mares.”

Auguste Rodin has been ridden in all but one of his races by Ryan Moore, who added: “He’s been an unbelievable horse for us. We have always thought the world of him. He has everything you’d want.

“He has so much pace. He could kill horses for speed, and he was able to stretch that out over 12 furlongs. Horses like him are so hard to find. An incredible horse.”

Coolmore’s MV Magnier is excited to see Auguste Rodin join the stallion ranks, rating him alongside some of the very best sires to stand at the stud.

Auguste Rodin was a top-level winner at Ascot in June
Auguste Rodin was a top-level winner at Ascot in June (David Davies/PA)

He said: “Auguste Rodin is an exceptional racehorse and stallion prospect with the blend of class, speed and pedigree that only the best possess.

“He is a very special horse for us, and I truly believe he ranks up there with the best middle-distance racehorses and sires that we have stood here before him like Sadler’s Wells, Galileo, Montjeu, Caerleon and Camelot.

“Physically he fills the eye so well as he has extra quality and movement so I can’t wait to see his first crop in Ballydoyle in 2028. We are going to do all we can to give him the best possible opportunity to follow in his illustrious predecessor’s footsteps.”

Marquand ‘extremely excited’ to take major Economics test

/in /by

It will take a special horse to end Aidan O’Brien’s stranglehold on the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, but Tom Marquand is “extremely excited” to partner the imposing Economics when he faces the acid test of his credentials on Saturday.

William Haggas’ Night Of Thunder colt confirmed the promise of his dazzling Dante Stakes with a polished performance in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville.

Economics now takes the leap into both deep waters and enemy territory for the Leopardstown feature, with big-race pilot Marquand relishing what will be the toughest assignment of his mount’s career so far.

Marquand said: “I’m extremely excited, this has been the plan for a little while. France was obviously going to be the deciding factor if this stayed the plan or changed, but he won very well in Deauville and looked as good as we were all hoping he would be.

“I felt he was a lot more mature and he felt more effective in his stride. When he was motoring up to the line he was still extending, whereas at York once he got into top gear he was having a little wobble around and was quite immature still.

“Hopefully he will have taken another step forward from France, which I think he will have done, and there’s not much else to say other than it’s exciting and given us all something great to look forward to.”

He went on: “I’ve been lucky to ride some really good horses, but most of the good horses I have come across have been older horses where there is a general hole for those middle-distance types.

“For potential, though, he is the most exciting horse I have been involved with. We’re coming to the end of his three-year-old campaign and we still don’t really know what he is which is the exciting bit.”

Economics was a taking winner
Economics after winning at Newbury earlier this year (PA)

This venture to the Irish capital is leg one of an ambitious ‘Champion Stakes double’ Economics is seeking this autumn, with the Somerville Lodge runner also slated to run at Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day.

Only six horses have won both races in the same year and Marquand is well aware the might of Ballydoyle is standing in the way of the first hurdle, as his charge attempts to become the first British-trained winner since Roaring Lion in 2018.

“It’s a tough race, but it’s the Irish Champion Stakes, it’s meant to be,” continued Marquand.

“It’s no easy task by any means to go over to Ireland and win, but some others have been over in the past and managed it. He will need to be every bit as good as we hope he is – and maybe even a little bit more to win.

“It’s fantastic for Sheikh Isa and his family to have a horse in the race that they sponsor. They put so much into racing and to be rewarded with a horse with a real live chance in a race they have heavily invested in is great.”

Aidan O'Brien has a great record in this race
Aidan O’Brien has a great record in this race (Damien Eagers/PA)

O’Brien has won this a record 12 times and the master of Ballydoyle saddles half the field as he seeks to extend his winning run to six straight years.

His two most recent winners, Luxembourg and Auguste Rodin, take part once again, and are joined by Irish Derby winner Los Angeles and Hans Andersen.

On Los Angeles, O’Brien said: “It will be interesting. He’s won around Leopardstown and it was soft ground when he won, but he’s a deceiving horse as he’s lazy and when he gets the front he doesn’t do much, so it’s just hard to assess him.

“For us, we’ll learn a lot about him in this race because there’ll be a strong, even pace and we will learn what kind of middle-distance type horse he’s going to be.”

Auguste Rodin bounced back from King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes disappointment when outbattling Luxembourg 12 months ago and O’Brien is backing the defending champion to return to his very best after hitting another bump in the road at Ascot in late July.

Auguste Rodin (left) and Luxembourg fight out the finish to last year's Irish Champion Stakes
Auguste Rodin (left) and Luxembourg fight out the finish to last year’s Irish Champion Stakes (Damien Eagers/PA)

“He’s one of those horses who just about gets a mile and a half, but over a mile and a quarter he has loads of class,” O’Brien told Betfred TV.

“We’ve been very happy with him since Ascot, his work has been very good. He worked with a lot of zest the last day and we’re looking forward to seeing him run again.”

There is an international flavour to the contest provided by Japanese Arc hopeful Shin Emperor who will tune-up for ParisLongchamp by trying to add another major overseas prize to his handler Yoshito Yahagi’s stellar CV.

Along with Economics, Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter and Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme will form the British raiding party having finished third and sixth respectively behind City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International Stakes.

Ghostwriter has been consistent all season
Ghostwriter has been consistent all season (Tim Goode/PA)

For Ghostwriter, that York third was the latest strong performance in an excellent campaign and despite yet to gain the victory his efforts have deserved, his reputation is yet to be diminished.

“He’s ran very consistently right from the very beginning of the season,” said Cox.

“He continues to please me at home, his well-being and mannerisms show he’s in excellent form with himself. He’s run admirably against City Of Troy throughout this season, especially in his last run at York.”

Los Angeles heading to Leopardstown before Paris

/in /by

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.

“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
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
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.

O’Brien admits inside route backfired for Auguste Rodin

/in /by

Aidan O’Brien feels tactics may have also played a hand in Auguste Rodin’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes defeat, along with the ground.

O’Brien voiced some concerns following the race on Saturday that the going was softer than the officially described good to firm.

In the immediate aftermath, the record-breaking Ballydoyle handler said: “When we walked the track, we were very worried then. It was good, good to soft in places. Nowhere was it good to firm and it was cut up on the rails, it was full of sand.”

He felt that did not suit the son of Deep Impact who, despite winning six Group Ones, has also severely disappointed on occasions, including in the King George 12 months ago.

“Auguste Rodin is an incredible, classy horse, he’s not a down-and-dirty street fighter, he never was, he’s all class,” said O’Brien on Tuesday.

“In the race, he got trapped down the inside on bad ground where he was. We know he is a mile-and-a-quarter horse that gets a mile and a half, but he’s not a grueller.

“What I think happened was we put a strong pace on, which we were always going to do. The ground was well watered inside and had sand put in it, so it rode much slower than we thought it would.

“When I walked the track, I had a thing in my head, maybe we should keep out of the ground altogether. Then, in the race before, the horse went around and won on the rail, so we decided we couldn’t do that.

“Ryan (Moore) ended up on the rail with William (Buick, on Rebel’s Romance) on his outside and they were tight. The position he ended up in, with the sand coming back in his face, the slowish ground, he ran out of stamina.”

O’Brien unhappy with Ascot ground after Auguste Rodin falters

/in /by

Aidan O’Brien questioned the advertised going after Auguste Rodin was a beaten favourite in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes for the second year in a row.

It looked like the son of Deep Impact had erased his Ascot demons when winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the Royal meeting, but his King George hoodoo remains after he could finish only fifth as the 7-4 market leader.

With his best performances coming on quick ground, forecast conditions looked perfect for the multiple Group One scorer to showcase his top form en route to the Japan Cup.

However, he was beaten with over a furlong still to run, with O’Brien left to question the underfoot conditions following his earlier walk of the course.

O’Brien said: “When we walked the track, we were very worried then. It was good, good to soft in places. Nowhere was it good to firm and it was cut up on the rails, it was full of sand.

“We knew we had no choice, that’s where we were, we had to go down there – and with the benefit of hindsight, we should have come off the bad ground and out onto the quicker ground.

“That’s the way it is and that’s the way it fell for us today. Listen, there will be other days.

“The plan was to run here and go on to the Japan Cup, but when we walked the track, we were worried. We were going to go to the Japan Cup and maybe give him a run in between somewhere, so we will see how he is and what the lads want to do.”

It was left to Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking to fill the position of bridesmaid to runaway French raider Goliath and connections could now begin dreaming of trips to Paris later in the year, having followed up her maiden Group One win in the Pretty Polly Stakes with this brave effort in defeat.

“She ran an absolute stormer, we’re over the moon and she’s beaten some proper horses,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager of owners Juddmonte.

“It’s a great run and congratulations to Francis with the winner, his horse was awesome today.

Royal Ascot 2024 – Day Two – Ascot Racecourse
Trainer Ralph Beckett (John Walton/PA).

“It was a breakneck pace from start to finish, she was able to relax and Rossa (Ryan) was able to get her into a nice position and we knew she would finish off well – she did, but there was one too good for us today.

“We’ll just see how she is and that is two hard races in a month now. Ralph will see how she comes out of it and races like the Yorkshire Oaks, Prix Vermeille and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe are all on the cards – and we’ll let her tell us where she wants to go.

“In fairness, Ralph has done a remarkable job with her and Rossa gets on so well with her and everything we hoped she would become, she has become, so it is great.”

Meanwhile, it appears Rebel’s Romance will be back on the road after Charlie Appleby’s globetrotting six-year-old finished an honourable third in his quest to land a first Group One victory on home soil.

“It was a solid run again and realistically, on some paper form, this is the strongest depth of race he has been in,” said Appleby.

“Will (Buick) said he got a great run round there and he’s gone to win his race and found the length he would normally find, but there are younger, potentially classier horses coming over the top of you nowadays.

QIPCO King George Day – Ascot Racecourse – Saturday 27th July
Goliath was an impressive winner of the King George (Steven Paston/PA).

“In respects to where we go, we will be back on our travels, needless to say, with a horse who maintains plenty of enthusiasm to be competing at the top level. There are going to be opportunities abroad for him and that was a solid run against some of the best he will have faced for a few years.

“He might join the American team or he might go to Germany and then to the (Hong Kong) Vase.”

In response to O’Brien’s earlier comments about the ground, clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: “The times don’t indicate that (it is good, good to soft) from the round course.

“The times indicate it is as described on the round course. On the straight course, the times have indicated more like good ground.

“It was a fast time in the King George and the Valiant time also indicated a mixture of good to firm and good ground.

“We did put 3mm of water on last night, so yes, it was watered, but I don’t think the going description is vastly inaccurate.”

Auguste Rodin now ready to exorcise King George demons

/in /by

Auguste Rodin will bid for King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes redemption at Ascot on Saturday, where he could also set up a tantalising tilt at the Japan Cup.

There is no doubting the star quality of Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old, who has dazzled on numerous occasions throughout his career and boasts six Group One triumphs.

However, one major blip came when sent off favourite in this very race 12 months ago, where he trailed in last of the 10 runners in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Auguste Rodin winning the Irish Champion Stakes last September
Auguste Rodin winning the Irish Champion Stakes last September (Damien Eagers/PA)

He somewhat proved that was only a minor setback by going on to score in both the Irish Champion Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Turf at the back end of the season, with O’Brien putting his Ascot defeat down to both ground conditions and the instructions he gave his jockey.

The Ballydoyle handler said: “Last year, it was soft ground and we probably held him up too much.

“When Ryan felt he wasn’t going to win, he just eased him back out of it. Ryan does that sometimes and his run was a lot better than it looked, he was thinking of the next day. But he came out of the race very well.”

Auguste Rodin flopped again in March’s Dubai Sheema Classic but after a solid Tattersalls Gold Cup second, he went some way to erasing any Ascot demons when getting off the mark at four with a terrific display in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the Royal meeting.

The Coolmore team are already eyeing taking the son of Deep Impact back to his father’s homeland for a shot at the Japan Cup.

“We’re very happy with him. The plan was always to go to Ascot after the Prince of Wales’s Stakes,” continued O’Brien.

“He will have one more run at the King George. We may go somewhere after that, but the ultimate goal is to get him to the Japan Cup, which would be very exciting.”

Joining Auguste Rodin on the Ballydoyle teamsheet is Coronation Cup scorer Luxembourg – who will attempt to better last year’s fourth in this event – with Hans Andersen also making the trip from Tipperary.

Luxembourg winning at Epsom
Luxembourg winning at Epsom (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Luxembourg, we’re very happy with him,” added O’Brien. “He won the Coronation Cup over a mile and a half and we thought it would suit him well. He’s in very good form.”

Like Auguste Rodin, Charlie Appleby’s Rebel’s Romance is on the Breeders’ Cup Turf roll of honour and the globetrotting star attempts to not only register a first top-level success on home soil, but also extend a four-race winning run, having excelled at both Meydan and Sha Tin in his most recent outings.

The Moulton Paddocks handler got his hands on this trophy in 2021 with Adayar and told www.godolphin.com: “It’s great to be part of such a historic race. There looks to be plenty of strength in depth in this year’s renewal, but we are very happy with Rebel’s Romance.

“He has earned his reputation on the international stage, and the only real omission on his CV is a Group One win in England. This looks a decent opportunity to fill that gap and he has come out of Hong Kong in great shape.

Rebel's Romance after his victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf
Rebel’s Romance after his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (PA)

“Rebel’s Romance is a very uncomplicated horse these days and a true professional. It has been a faultless campaign so far and we feel he is a big player here.”

Adding further intrigue to the contest is Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking, the only filly in the race, and a contender riding the crest of the wave after notching her first Group One success in the Pretty Polly Stakes – a victory which booked her ticket to this red-hot event.

“It’s the King George and they are the best of the best,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“Auguste Rodin and Rebel’s Romance are both top class and Luxemburg is a Group One winner on his last start, there is no shortage in quality from top to bottom. It’s going to be a top renewal and it’s nice to have a filly good enough to partake in it.

Bluestocking winning the Cairn Community Games Pretty Polly Stakes
Bluestocking winning the Cairn Community Games Pretty Polly Stakes (Damien Eagers/PA)

“She’s definitely matured a lot and last year, in fairness, she was probably a little weak. She was gallant in her efforts, but probably just had a bit of weakness, which wasn’t able to carry her through the line.

“This year, she has strengthened and Ralph has been very happy with her, she worked very well last Saturday and I think we’re in a good place, so hopefully we see that on Saturday.”

Francis-Henri Graffard’s French raider Goliath was second in the Hardwicke Stakes over track and trip last month and will have the assistance of Christophe Soumillon seeking to go one better, while third on that occasion was John and Thady Gosden’s Middle Earth, who is also in the mix.

His jockey Oisin Murphy felt the Australia-bound son of Roaring Lion was caught out by the lack of pace in that Group Two event, but believes he has the ideal spot in stall four to play a major part this time.

Middle Earth after winning at Newbury
Middle Earth after winning at Newbury (PA)

He said: “Middle Earth was caught out by a slow pace in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, I should have tried to get more forward on him.

“He doesn’t break that well but I have a lovely draw alongside Rebel’s Romance and when looking at the race make-up, I thought Rebel’s Romance and Auguste Rodin would be towards the front end.

“Hopefully, I can get close to them throughout the race and although he has plenty to find on ratings, he is a horse who still has plenty of improvement in him.”

Middle Earth’s owners Qatar Racing also have an interest in David Menuisier’s Irish Derby runner-up Sunway, who is the sole three-year-old in the contest representing the Classic generation.

Sunway (right) running on to finish second in the Irish Derby
Sunway (right) running on to finish second in the Irish Derby (Damien Eagers/PA)

“It seems to be the trend these days that less and less three-year-olds run in the race, but you have to try them against older horses some time and they get an 11lb allowance,” said the Sussex-based Frenchman ahead of this British Champion Series contest.

“This is only the second race for them this summer, and a three-year-old won the first of them (City Of Troy in the Eclipse), so it’s doable.

“Sunway was possibly caught in traffic a bit at a crucial stage in Ireland, but we came back from there really chuffed because he’d vindicated what we thought of him, not thinking we were unlucky in the way Tamfana was in the 1000 Guineas.

“It took him a while to come to himself this season, and I’m not sure why, but he was a different horse already in the Prix du Jockey Club, where he nearly fell over coming out of the stalls, and the faster ground in Ireland worked in his favour, as I think he thrives on quick conditions and in fast-run races, even though he won on testing ground last year.

“Having taken so long to come to himself, I didn’t want to stop, and he came out of Ireland absolutely buzzing – kicking and bucking as if it hadn’t taken too much out of him. All the lights are green.”

William Haggas’ Dubai Honour completes the field, having won over this trip for the first time in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last month.

Auguste Rodin to face eight rivals in King George

/in /by

Auguste Rodin heads a high-class field of nine runners declared for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Bitterly disappointing in this race 12 months ago having won the Derby and the Irish equivalent, he bounced back to claim the Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge was last seen winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the Royal meeting and will be a hot favourite to follow up on his return to Berkshire this weekend.

The Deep Impact colt is joined by his Coronation Cup-winning stablemate Luxembourg, as well as Hans Anderson, but O’Brien has decided against saddling St Leger winner Continuous and Point Lonsdale.

High on the list of opposition is the Charlie Appleby-trained Rebel’s Romance, himself a Breeders’ Cup Turf winner. Also on his CV is the Dubai Sheema Classic – in which Auguste Rodin was last – and Hong Kong’s Champions & Chater Cup.

Top-notch filly Bluestocking is set to take her chance for Ralph Beckett and Juddmonte, having got off the mark at Group One level in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

Bluestocking (right) winning at the Curragh
Bluestocking (right) winning at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

David Menuisier’s Irish Derby runner-up Sunway represents the Classic generation, with French interest coming in the shape of Hardwicke Stakes second Goliath for Francis-Henri Graffard.

Further representing the Hardwicke form is John and Thady Gosden’s third-placed Middle Earth, while William Haggas will saddle his Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud victor Dubai Honour.

Middle Earth carries the colours of Qatar Racing, who are also part-owners of Sunway.

Racing manager David Redvers feels Middle Earth is capable of better than he showed in the Hardwicke and is excited to see how he fares at the top level this weekend.

Middle Earth and Oisin Murphy after winning at Newbury in May
Middle Earth and Oisin Murphy after winning at Newbury in May (Steven Paston/PA)

“There was no pace in the race at Ascot at all and he missed the break and that counted against him. They all quickened up at the same time and he was having to make up ground when everything else was accelerating, so it just didn’t work,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“Immediately after the race, John Gosden said he was really looking forward to the King George. He felt we’d see a proper running from the horse there, so that’s what we’re doing.

“It’s just (a question of) whether or not he’s good enough. Apart from in the Hardwicke, every time he’s run on good or better ground, he’s looked a very serious horse.

“What we know of his ability gives him a very strong outside chance and we’re definitely looking forward to seeing him run.”

Of Sunway, Redvers added: “He’s a very good horse and he’s a horse that’s clearly on the improve.

“He’s been very well brought along by David and we’re very much looking forward to seeing him, as the sole three-year-old in the race.

“It’s a very tough contest and who knows how the generational clash will work out? It’s rather disappointing that there aren’t more three-year-olds taking on the older horses, but we’re looking forward to a good run.”

Auguste Rodin heads 11 confirmations for King George

/in /by

Auguste Rodin heads 11 confirmations for Saturday’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes.

Last year’s dual Derby and Irish Champion Stakes hero finished a bitterly disappointing last of 10 in Ascot’s midsummer highlight 12 months ago, but will be a hot favourite to set the record straight this weekend off the back of victory in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the royal meeting last month.

The six-time Group One winner is one of five remaining contenders for trainer Aidan O’Brien, with Coronation Cup hero Luxembourg, Continuous, Hans Anderson and Point Lonsdale all standing their ground.

The two horses rated the biggest threat to Auguste Rodin by bookmakers are Ralph Beckett’s top-class mare Bluestocking and Charlie Appleby’s globetrotter Rebel’s Romance.

Bluestocking has made a flying start to her campaign by winning the Middleton Stakes at York and the Pretty Polly in Ireland, while Rebel’s Romance is set to return to home soil following high-profile wins in Qatar, Dubai and Hong Kong earlier in the year.

The only three-year-old in the field is David Menuisier’s Sunway, who filled the runner-up spot behind the O’Brien-trained Los Angeles in the Irish Derby a month ago.

The William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour, John and Thady Gosden’s Middle Earth and Francis-Henri Graffard’s French raider Goliath complete the potential line-up.

All systems go for Auguste Rodin in the King George

/in /by

Aidan O’Brien has reported Auguste Rodin firmly on target for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

The dual Derby winner disappointed in the midsummer mile-and-a-half championship 12 months ago, but he bounced back in style to add the Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf to his CV.

The son of Deep Impact was last seen furthering his glittering record in the 10-furlong Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, and now goes back up in trip at the weekend.

The Prince of Wales presents Aidan O’Brien with a memento marking his 400th top-level winner
The Prince of Wales presents Aidan O’Brien with a memento marking his 400th top-level winner (David Davies/PA)

“He’s super and that’s the plan. He’s in good form and everything has been good with him since Ascot,” said O’Brien, for whom the Prince of Wales’s win was a 400th at Group or Grade One level.

“Luxembourg is the same, everything is good with him. We also have Continuous there as well.”

O’Brien also had news of Henry Longfellow, who is set for a rematch with his narrow St James’s Palace Stakes conqueror Rosallion in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 31.

He added: “That’s the plan at the moment and everything is good with him at the moment.”