Aidan O’Brien believes the best is still to come from Los Angeles as the Irish Derby winner is set to spearhead a two-pronged attack on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Ballydoyle.
He is likely to be joined by last year’s fifth Continuous, but Luxembourg, Opera Singer and Auguste Rodin are all set to sidestep the race.
Opera Singer could run in the 10-furlong Prix de l’Opera instead, while Auguste Rodin is likely to head straight to the Japan Cup.
Los Angeles caught many an eye when running on into fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes over an inadequate 10 furlongs behind Economics.
“We think the most likely two are Los Angeles and Continuous. We think the ground probably isn’t going to be lively enough for the other two, Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg, and the filly (Opera Singer) might go to the l’Opera instead,” said O’Brien.
“We don’t think we’ve seen the best of Los Angeles yet. He’s a very big horse, he’s improving physically and there’s no doubt a mile and a half is right up his alley.
“He won the Irish Derby which is right-handed like Longchamp and we’ve been very happy. He’s had two preps really, he won the race at York (Great Voltigeur) and then when he went back to a mile and a quarter at Leopardstown. Hopefully we’ve done as much as we can for him to run as good a race as he can.”
Continuous won last year’s St Leger before running in the Arc and was third of five in the Prix Foy last time out.
“We were very happy with his run in the trial, he finished third, it didn’t suit him to make the running but obviously it was going to be a slow pace. We think he’ll be much better in a strongly-run race and we’ve been very happy with him since,” he said.
CONTINUOUS 💜🤍
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore complete doubles on the Curragh card as last year's St Leger hero 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 justifies short odds in the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes.@curraghrace | @coolmorestudpic.twitter.com/FRZ0qDjAm1
“We think both horses will handle an ease in the ground.
“Christophe (Soumillon) rode him the last day so it’s very possible he could ride him again.”
As for those that are likely to miss Sunday’s race, he added: “Auguste Rodin is still in at the moment but unless the ground is very nice he won’t run. He’ll probably go straight to the Japan Cup.
Opera Singer could run in the Prix de l’Opera rather than the Arc (Andrew Matthews/PA)
“Opera Singer will do a bit of work in the morning and we’ll see how she is.
“The intention of running her in the trial (fifth in the Prix Vermeille) was to go back for the Arc, but we weren’t sure really what happened.
“We could go back for the Opera as that is the easier option. We also think she wouldn’t want bad ground, so we’re debating whether to run in the Arc or the Opera.”
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Continuous handled the drop to 10 furlongs with aplomb to win the Shoda Market Cafe Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh, as Aidan O’Brien claimed all three Pattern races on the card.
Last season’s St Leger winner had only been seen once this term, when fifth in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot behind Isle Of Jura.
He showed he was no back number over middle distances when fifth in the Arc after his Leger heroics and having now notched a win over a mile and a quarter, O’Brien has plenty of options.
Sent off the 4-7 favourite, he held off Trustyourinstinct by half a length under Ryan Moore.
Continuous and Ryan Moore return victorious (Niall Carson/PA)
O’Brien said: “We’re delighted with him and he has loads of options now.
“He can go to the Irish Champion, he can go to the (Irish) Leger. He could have a run in the Irish Champion with a view to going to the Arc after it.
“He’s a very versatile horse, a great horse to have.”
When asked if the Long Distance Cup at Ascot could be a possibility, he added: “100 per cent. He can do next year, he can do a Japan Cup. He has so many options.
“Ryan decided to take a lead with him today, he could have popped out and went all the way himself. It was lovely for him.
“He could even go two miles, we’ve never went that far but he could, I’d say. He’s an unusual type of horse.
“He’s a classy horse. He’s genuine and his head is always down.”
🚀 Relentless
Grosvenor Square bolts up in the Comer Group International Irish St. Leger Trial Stakes for team Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/J8gFLXufLv
Grosvenor Square turned the Comer Group International Irish St. Leger Trial Stakes into an absolute procession.
Moore bounced him into an early lead and by halfway the rest had a mountain to climb.
In the home straight, the 1-2 favourite just pulled further and further clear, winning by a yawning 20 lengths. County Hurdle winner Absurde never featured and finished a distant fourth of five runners.
Paddy Power cut Grosvenor Square to 8-1 from 20s for the St Leger at Doncaster.
O’Brien said: “He has serious stamina when he gets into a rhythm. He’s an exciting horse.
“It’s a quandary whether you follow him or don’t follow him.
“I said to Ryan ‘was he finished at the line?’ – and he said he wasn’t, that he galloped through the line.
“It’s very hard not to go to Doncaster, we’ll see what the lads want to do but it’s three-year-olds. He’s so uncomplicated, you go out there and let him go.
“He handles soft ground as well.”
Aidan O’Brien (left) and Ryan Moore discuss Treasure Isle’s win (Niall Carson/PA)
Treasure Isle took full advantage of a drop in class to win the Listed Qatar Racing And Equestrian Club Irish EBF Juvenile Sprint Stakes.
Not disgraced when fourth behind subsequent Phoenix Stakes winner Babouche in a Group Three last time out, the 9-4 chance always looked in control for Moore.
O’Brien’s juvenile drew clear with Jessica Harrington’s Saratoga Special, who was having just her second run, but the Ballydoyle runner had half a length to spare on crossing the line.
“We’re very happy with him, he’s a fast horse and we learned that the last day,” said O’Brien.
“57 seconds is very unusual up here for a two-year-old race. Ryan said the Flying Childers, he said he’s very quick, but he will get further too.
“He’s a hardy, fast horse.”
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Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Mill Stream will face 13 rivals as he aims to break his Group One duck in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on the final day of Royal Ascot.
The four-year-old was a Group Three winner in France last year and won a Group Two at York last time out in a blanket finish, making this the logical next step.
Richard Hannon’s Shouldvebeenaring and Kevin Ryan’s Washington Heights were right on his heels at York, though, and both take him on again.
Last year’s surprise winner Khaadem is back again for Charlie Hills who also runs Mitbaahy, who benefitted from a peach of a ride from Jamie Spencer in Ireland recently.
Believing, a fine fourth in the King Charles II Stakes on Tuesday, is set for a quick return, with Kinross, Shartash and The Wizard Of Eye among the others.
Last year’s St Leger winner Continuous makes his return to action in the Hardwicke Stakes.
He is one of nine runners for what will be his first outing since a fine fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Desert Hero was a popular winner at the meeting 12 months ago for the King and Queen in handicap company and now he is looking to bounce back from a below-par run at Newbury in May. Stablemate Candleford also runs for William Haggas.
That Newbury race was won by John and Thady Gosden’s Middle Earth who is well fancied for this.
George Scott’s Isle Of Jura arrives on a five-timer, Missed The Cut, a winner at the meeting for George Boughey two years ago, is now running for American trainer John Sadler, most recently of Flightline fame.
In the Jersey Stakes the Hannon-trained Haatem, placed in both the English and Irish Guineas this season, drops in class and trip for new owners Wathnan Racing having seen his form boosted by stablemate Rosallion earlier in the week.
A field of 20 will go to post, including Frankel’s half-brother Kikkuli and Sir Michael Stoute’s Never So Brave, who is the mount of Saffie Osborne.
There are 18 in the Chesham with Aidan O’Brien’s Bedtime Story – who is a daughter of Frankel and Mecca’s Angel – the favourite, while last year’s winner Saint Lawrence is in the hunt for another Wokingham Stakes.
Trueshan, a non-runner in the Gold Cup on Thursday, has been declared for the Queen Alexandra in the hope of some rain.
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Aidan O’Brien’s St Leger winner Continuous will miss the Japan Cup next weekend due to stiffness.
His scheduled run at Tokyo racecourse on November 26 had garnered plenty of interest amongst the locals.
Not only was he due to take on the brilliant Equinox, currently rated as the best horse in the world, but Continuous is a son of Heart’s Cry.
Heart’s Cry was a quality performer in Japan and beat Deep Impact, the sire of O’Brien’s dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin, in the Arima Kinen of 2005 as well as winning the 2006 Sheema Classic in Dubai.
Continuous was far from disgraced in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when a little over three lengths behind Ace Impact in fifth, however, his trip to the Far East has now been scuppered.
O’Brien said: “Unfortunately Continuous was stiff after his latest exercise which means he won’t be going to Japan.”
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St Leger hero Continuous is on course for a clash with Equinox in the Japan Cup.
Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old followed up his Classic success at Doncaster by staying on to finish fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Plans for a potential trip to Ascot for British Champions Day had to be shelved due to a minor setback, but the son of Heart’s Cry has now fully recovered.
O’Brien has never managed to win the Japan Cup, but stable jockey Ryan Moore knows what it takes to triumph in Tokyo, having partnered last year’s victor Vela Azul for Kunihiko Watanabe.
Equinox confirmed his superstar status when winning in Dubai earlier this year (PA)
“We were going to go back for the Champion Stakes with him, but he got a bit of a temperature, so obviously when they get a temperature, you have to medicate them, and when you medicate them, it takes them out of the race,” O’Brien told Racing TV.
“But he’s back fine, he’s back cantering again, so the plan with him is to go to the Japan Cup (November 26).
“We were delighted with his run in the Arc. Ryan took his time, like he always does with him, and the pace just went a little bit slow in the middle of the race and that was the way it was, but he came home very well.
“Ryan was very happy with him after the run, he said his run was way better than everyone thinks it was, so hopefully we’ll go back to the Japan Cup with him.
“It’s a race we’ve never won and you need a good horse to win it, so it would be great if we could be competitive in it.
“It’ll suit him all right, because he’s a good traveller, he can handle fast and soft ground, it doesn’t matter.
“He’s got a great mind and he’s got a lot of ability that horse – he’s probably better than everyone thinks he is.”
Auguste Rodin winning the Derby (David Davies for The Jockey Club)
Meanwhile, stablemate Auguste Rodin is being aimed at a fourth top-level triumph of the year in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita.
The Deep Impact colt is a dual Derby winner and was last seen coming home in front in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
“That’s been the plan for him all the time,” added O’Brien. “He’s done great, too. He’s had a nice break from Leopardstown and that’s probably a break like he’s never had and he’s got strong.
“All the team are delighted with him and we’re really looking forward to it.
“He’s really grown up and he’s another horse that didn’t get a chance to mature, as we trained him for the Guineas and then on to the Derby, the next Derby and the King George, so it’s tough for those baby three-year-olds.
“But we’re very happy with him, he’s had a nice little run into this and we’re looking forward to it.”
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Bay Bridge has connections dreaming of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe glory as he heads to ParisLongchamp for a blockbuster renewal of the European middle-distance championship.
Bay Bridge lowered the colours of the all-conquering Baaeed when scooping Champion Stakes gold at Ascot last year, but the proven Group One performer will be making just his second start over a mile and a half in the French capital on Sunday.
Course experience was banked when third in the Prix Ganay earlier in the season and the final piece of the Bay Bridge jigsaw was completed when proving his suitability over the 12-furlong trip with an emphatic success in the September Stakes earlier this month.
That Kempton event has been used as a timely stepping stone to Paris in the past and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old fared best of the British challengers during Thursday’s draw in stall six – the spot that has provided the most Arc success this century.
The star act strikes in the @unibet September Stakes!
“We’re heading there and hoping for a good result,” said John O’Connor of Ballylinch Stud, who own the horse in conjunction with breeder James Wigan.
“We think based on his last run that he gets a mile and a half. He’s well proven over a mile and a quarter, but he appears to get a mile and a half well enough judged on the September Stakes, which has been used as a Prix de l’Arc prep previously by Enable. So it’s a proven path if you like.”
Remarkably Stoute has just one Arc victory on his illustrious CV, but few in the training ranks possess a wealth of experience as great as the master of Freemason Lodge.
And it is the 77-year-old’s desire to run in the race which has given his owners the belief their charge could make his mark in one of the year’s most fiercely competitive contests.
Jockey Richard Kingscote celebrates with horse Bay Bridge after winning at Ascot last season (John Walton/PA)
“He’s a very good horse, but obviously the Arc is a very difficult race to win,” added O’Connor.
“It’s regularly the highest-rated race in the world and we’re under no illusions that it is a competitive race and hard to win.
“But we think he is in there with a good chance and he’s trained by a maestro who has already won the race, so he knows what it takes to win it. He’s keen to run him and we’re happy to go along with that.
“Everyone knows how hard it is to win the race, but we’re going to give it a shot.”
Sir Michael Stoute will saddle Bay Bridge at ParisLongchamp (Mike Egerton/PA)
Stoute’s sole Arc victory came curtesy of Workforce who carried the famous Juddmonte silks to victory in 2010 and the Abdullah family’s racing operation – who have enjoyed Arc glory with Enable in the last 10 years – will be optimistic of celebrating another triumph with the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover.
“We’re looking forward to it and he’s in good form at home,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for the owners.
“His preparations have gone really well, both Ralph and Rob (Hornby, jockey) are really happy with him and as I say, he’s had a smooth run into it.”
A winner of the Irish Derby at three, he has taken his form skywards this term, finishing no worse than second in four starts, all at Group One level.
Westover has been in top form this season (Niall Carson/PA)
The son of Frankel has already tasted success in France at Saint-Cloud earlier in the season and having got bogged down in deep ground when sixth in this race last season, conditions should suit this time ahead of his second bite of the Arc cherry.
“He’s a better horse now at four, both physically and mentally, and is in a good place,” continued Mahon.
“He’s been to France and Dubai this year and travelling doesn’t seem to bother him and hopefully that is a plus.
“He’s obviously had two hard runs his last two races and we probably won’t see the full effect of them, if there is any, until he runs on Sunday.
“But the ground looks like it will be better than last year which will suit and he has had his few days away (racecourse gallops) and a break since the King George. There have been no blips along the way and hopefully that will equate to a good run on Sunday.”
Westover was last seen going down valiantly in defeat as Owen Burrows’ Hukum prevailed in a thrilling finish to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
Both horses have not been seen since as their respective trainers elected to send their candidates across the Channel with a full petrol tank and despite a tough draw in stall 14 to overcome, connections of Hukum are keen to see how the thriving five-year-old fares against a talented cast of rivals.
“It’s very exciting, Owen decided to keep him fresh (after Ascot) hoping to get him there in good shape,” explained Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell.
Westover (left) and Hukum (right) fought out the finish to the King George And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot (Adam Davy/PA)
“There’s a reason it is one of the best races in the world, it is very hard to win.
“It will be fascinating this year to see if the two really good French three-year-olds and the likes of Continuous and Fantastic Moon are good enough to take on the older horses. That is the interesting puzzle this year and obviously we won’t know until Sunday.
“It’s very exciting to go out there with a chance, it’s a shame about the draw but there is nothing we can do about that so we are just going to have to work our way around it, hope for a little bit of luck, and see how we get on.”
Aidan O’Brien has won Europe’s richest middle-distance contest twice in the past and his St Leger hero Continuous is the sole Ballydoyle contender this time around, dropping back in trip following his Doncaster Classic triumph.
Only two weeks have passed since his victory on Town Moor, but O’Brien is confident the son of Heart’s Cry will justify connections decision to supplement the colt into the contest at a cost of £120,000.
O’Brien said: “Every horse is different and every year is different, but it is two weeks and it is quick enough for going back. You’d prefer three or four weeks really, but I suppose he has been busy and he’s a hardy type of horse now. Obviously we’re hoping, he seems to be in good form.
“You’re obviously never sure when you turn around that quick and he is only a three-year-old, but he’s a hardy, mature horse. He’s done plenty of racing and he has had breaks in between his runs.
“We’re very hopeful, he’s a good, strong traveller, he’s relaxed and he’s got form in all types of ground and he is tactically quick enough, but you never know until you do it, really.
“He’s not dislike (2016 winner) Found, he’s a good, strong traveller. He handles fast ground and he does quicken and gets the trip very well. He probably gets the trip better, Found just got a mile and a half but this horse won a Leger so obviously gets further. But class might have helped him do that and not stamina.”
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Aidan O’Brien says the Coolmore team were unanimously in favour of paying the supplementary fee required to add Continuous to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe field.
The Heart’s Cry colt was not originally put forward for the European middle-distance championship, but entered the picture after his wide-margin Great Voltigeur Stakes win at York’s Ebor meeting in August.
His subsequent St Leger triumph, another convincing success at two and a three-quarter lengths, galvanised matters and the three-year-old was added to the line-up at a cost of £120,000 on Wednesday morning.
Ryan Moore with Continuous (PA)
“It was always a possibility, we were delighted within him in Doncaster and we were delighted with him in York before that, when he won the Voltigeur,” O’Brien explained.
“When he won the Voltigeur, with the way he did it there it was always a strong possibility that if he ran well in Doncaster, or came forward like we thought he might have, that he could end up being supplemented for the Arc.
“We didn’t enter too many and our policy with the Arc is to only enter the really obvious ones because it’s expensive, but with that policy we are always happy to supplement.”
O’Brien has been pleased with the horse’s work since Doncaster and although he is mindful of the short turnaround between races, there were no hesitations in letting him take his chance in Paris.
Continuous winning the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York (Mike Egerton/PA)
“We’re very happy, he’s done two half-speeds (canters) and everything has gone well since,” he said.
“Obviously you do have concerns when you’re backing up, especially for a race like the Arc, but I think everyone is very happy to do it.
“Everyone was very happy this morning to supplement and I think the lads always had it in their heads that this was one that was going to be supplemented.”
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St Leger hero Continuous and German Derby winner Fantastic Moon have both been supplemented for Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp.
Continuous, trained by Aidan O’Brien, landed the final British Classic of the season with a two-and-three-quarter-length victory in Doncaster’s St Leger, a performance that sparked conversations about his late inclusion in the Arc.
Those plans have come to fruition and he will fly the flag for Coolmore in the ParisLongchamp Group One, where he will be joined by a German contender in Sarah Steinberg’s Fantastic Moon.
The German Derby victor took a key Arc trial in the Prix Niel, a Group Two run over the course and distance, but was ruled out of the big race on account of the likely occurrence of soft ground in Paris on Sunday.
Autumn in France has been warm and dry so far, however, causing connections to set aside Japan Cup and Breeders’ Cup aims and supplement their Sea The Moon colt for a shot at the Arc.
💙💛FANTASTIC MOON will run in the Arc
🇩🇪German Derby winner 2023 and 🇫🇷Prix Niel winner will be supplemented for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Sarah Steinberg: "I am looking forward to a great Arc with our Derby winner." #QPAT 🇫🇷🇩🇪🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/hwzq2CpNnL
“We made the decision in the morning, he worked very well yesterday and he handled the workout very well,” said Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten of owners Liberty Racing.
“We continue to hope for sunshine and good ground conditions for him to be able to call up his best form.
“We thought long and hard about which of the races would be the best for him and with the owners and Sarah, we decided against the long trip to the United States or to Japan.
“Fantastic Moon should continue to run for Liberty Racing in 2024 so we’ll take advantage of the beautiful fall in Paris, he is a horse that has recovered very quickly after the last run.
“It is a big adventure for our 22 shareholders from Germany, we have one shareholder who won the Arc with Danedream and we have the president of German racing in the syndicate.
“It’s his first investment in a horse, he is the president of Deutscher Galopp and his first horse is an Arc starter – it is amazing.”
The field is currently headed by Jean-Claude Rouget’s Ace Impact, the unbeaten market leader, with Owen Burrows’ Hukum the second favourite.
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Aidan O’Brien has confirmed his St Leger hero Continuous is set to be supplemented for next week’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The son of Heart’s Cry was beaten in his first three starts of the year, but has raised his game significantly in the second half of the campaign to register impressive wins in the Great Voltigeur at York and the season’s final Classic at Doncaster.
Continuous does not hold an entry in the Arc, but O’Brien did raise the possibility of supplementing the three-year-old at a cost of €120,000 in the immediate aftermath of his Doncaster triumph and the Ballydoyle handler is now preparing to add him to the field on Wednesday.
Connections of Continuous following his Doncaster win (Tim Goode/PA)
Asked about his Arc plans at the Curragh on Sunday, O’Brien said: “It’s all about Continuous I’d say. Everything looks good with him at the moment and if it is good up until Wednesday, he’ll probably be supplemented by the sound of what the lads are saying.
“Fast or heavy ground, it doesn’t matter to him – he has form on all ground.”
O’Brien confirmed Continuous would be his sole runner in this year’s Arc, but he is set to be well represented in the supporting races at ParisLongchamp.
Emily Dickinson will be part of Aidan O’Brien’s ParisLongchamp team (Niall Carson/PA)
He added: “Emily Dickinson will go to the Cadran. Unquestionable, who reared up in the stalls here last time, will go for the two-year-old race over seven (Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere) and something might go with him.
“Opera Singer will go to the fillies’ race (Prix Marcel Boussac). Jackie Oh, who was second to Joseph’s filly (Lumiere Rock) here last time, will go to the Prix de l’Opera.
“Kyprios won’t go, it will be too quick for him and we’ll give him time and go back to Ascot.”
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Aidan O’Brien is in no rush to make a final decision on Continuous’ potential participation in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe following his brilliant victory in the St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday.
The son of Heart’s Cry was beaten in his first three races this season, but has really found his groove in the second half of the campaign – impressing in the Great Voltigeur at York before providing his trainer with a seventh success in the season’s final Classic on Town Moor.
Continuous does not hold an entry in the Arc, but O’Brien did raise the possibility of supplementing the three-year-old at a cost of €120,000 in the immediate aftermath of his Doncaster triumph.
Welcome home, Continuous 💜
The St Leger champion has returned to @Ballydoyle and looks in great form.
The Ballydoyle handler reports Continuous to have taken his exertions well, but with the supplementary stage not taking place until a week on Wednesday – four days before Europe’s premier middle-distance contest is run – he is happy to let the dust settle before considering the next plan of attack.
“We were delighted with him and he seems to be fine, (but) we don’t (make plans) until a week or so ever,” he told the PA news agency.
Continuous is entered for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 21. When asked about possible alternatives to an Arc bid, O’Brien added: “He has a lot of alternatives really anywhere, we’ll just see how he is first really I suppose.”
Savethelastdance will not run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Niall Carson/PA)
One high-profile O’Brien inmate who will not be in the Arc line-up is Irish Oaks heroine Savethelastdance, who was last seen finishing third behind stablemate Warm Heart in the Yorkshire Oaks.
The trainer confirmed the Galileo filly is not in contention for the trip to Paris and will not run again this season.
On whether she could return as a four-year-old in 2024, O’Brien added: “We always talk about those things at the end of the year really, so we haven’t discussed it yet.”
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If you enjoy perfection, as I am certain it’s something for which the British Horseracing Authority’s handicappers strive for every day, then the St Leger was something of a disappointment, writes Tony Stafford. It will have been doubly so I’m sure for Mr Michael Harris, the gentleman responsible for flat races over 11 furlongs and above.
The ratings for the nine runners (four from the redoubtable O’Brien team) were, in finishing order, Conspicuous 115, Arrest 114, Desert Hero 110, Tower Of London 109, Gregory 111, Chesspiece 109, Middle Earth 102, pacemaker Denmark 102, and Alexandropolis 101.
What was wrong with him? On his rating, surely Gregory should have been third, but maybe a clue to why he wasn’t: John Gosden came over to Aidan before the race and told him he thought the Golden Horns do not like soft ground. It seemed Gregory didn’t.
Obviously, it was a major triumph for Mr Harris, who no doubt will push up the winner into the 120’s and therefore offer hope that he can go to the Arc in a fortnight’s time with a chance of emulating the trainer’s so far only two wins (Dylan Thomas 2007) and Found (2016) in the great French race at ParisLongchamp – see I remembered!
That has been the immediate target for the last four Coolmore St Leger winners but to no avail. The best candidate in 2023 of course would probably have been Auguste Rodin, dual Derby and Irish Champion Stakes hero who, as Ryan reminded me emphatically after yesterday’s win, is firmly online for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
O’Brien has won 16 races at that late autumn extravaganza, and he is sure to have another formidable team to represent himself and his owners who have kept him supplied with high-class material in the entirety of his career. But it’s what you do with raw material.
The numbers are even more mind-boggling for the five Classic races on either side of the Irish Sea. Saturday’s triumph put him on 43 Classic wins in the UK over the 26 seasons since King Of Kings, 1998 2000 Guineas and Shahtoush (Oaks) gave him a double right at the start of his time as master of Ballydoyle.
He got going a year earlier at home, where he has 50 domestic Classic wins so far with 15 in the Irish Derby leading the way. Here it’s seven in the 1000 Guineas, 10 in the 2000 Guineas, nine in the Derby, ten in the Oaks and seven in the St Leger. The relative home scores are 10, 12, 15, seven and six.
It seems O’Brien has more respect for the status of the Doncaster version, a race that has survived many questions as to three considerations; that it should remain the province of three-year-olds, that they should be only entire colts or fillies; and that it should remain at the one mile, six furlongs and 115 yards of yore. The Irish race has kept its trip of one mile six, but has long been open to geldings and older horses.
Continuous was an appropriate name for a Coolmore winner and there was also much delight, especially from Christy Grassick, in the immediate aftermath. He was doubly delighted, as he celebrated a second Japanese-bred winner this year after Auguste Rodin, while glorying in the identity of the maternal grand-sire, you guessed it, that late but unquestionably very great Galileo.
That champion’s victory in the 2001 Derby was Aidan’s first at Epsom and also marked the arrival on the Ballydoyle scene of Michael Tabor. Start as you intend to go on might well be his mantra. John Magnier and his formidable back-up team – son M V was busily shopping at Keeneland September last week with sire sensation Into Mischief the latest to attract his attention – have no mind to ease off.
Their perennial search is to identify and secure from the major racing and breeding establishments around the world suitable outcross stallions to prolong the potency of the Northern Dancer/ Sadler’s Wells/ Galileo legend. I don’t think they will go far wrong if history is anything to go by.
Continuous in a way exemplified the manner of O’Brien’s training, one of continuous improvement. The son of Heart’s Cry (Sunday Silence) did win his only two races at two, including a Group 3, but when third to The Foxes in the Dante at York and eighth in the Prix du Jockey Club, his limitations seemed there for all to see.
Next though, in finishing a four-length Royal Ascot runner-up to Epsom Derby second King Of Speed he moved up a notch in the hierarchy in Tipperary. An easy success in that most informative of all St Leger trials, York’s Great Voltigeur, should have been enough to convince the sceptics, as it established him as an obvious candidate.
He needed to nudge ahead of the filly Savethelastdance, but when the Epsom runner-up and Irish Oaks winner was beaten into third behind emerging stable-companion Warm Heart in the Yorkshire Oaks on fast ground, her challenge lost some of its impetus. Warm Heart’s victory in the Prix Vermeille last weekend only solidified Savethelastdance’s credentials.
Ironically, had she turned up on Saturday, she would have had the ground to her liking and been worthy of her place in the field against the colts. With the chance of easy ground for her remaining potential targets, she should be fine and O’Brien should be able to find another big target for her before the end of the year.
Continuous had one ingredient that the other eight runners on Town Moor lacked, an instant turn of speed which should make him a threat at 12 furlongs in Paris. No doubt the major Japanese studs, especially Shadai Farm, will be having their eyes on at least a shared stallion deal if not an outright buy. It would take many, many millions of yen to secure him at 183 yen to the £.
It was nice to feel close to the action on Saturday. We had lunch in a room next door to the Royal Box, which unusually for Doncaster had two attendees (the King and Queen) giving veracity to its title. The snag was the corridors were thronged with security people at every turn.
We left the room before they did, but without an escort, I got sidetracked, neither getting into the paddock until the horses had left for the start, and didn’t see them either, unlike most of the crowd who enjoyed their presence and the performance of his horse Desert Hero, trained by William Haggas for a creditable third behind Frankie Dettori on runner-up Arrest.
At least, going to watch by the winning line, it was easy to enjoy Ryan’s clockwork ride from ground level and then to be involved in the post-race photo upon Aidan’s “Come on Tony” exhortation.
So we were left to marvel at the skill of the man with 93 UK and Irish Classic winners to his credit and yet still only in his mid-50’s. To gauge what it means in modern terms, the late Sir Henry Cecil managed 25, saving the best for last with Galileo’s son Frankel in the 2000 Guineas. Sir Michael Stoute has 16 to his credit and John Gosden (with or without Thady) a round dozen. In statistical terms, of the 260 Classic races in that time, he has won getting on for 40% of them and of the UK, just about 35%.
All that was left was to wonder whether Howard Wright was there? My former colleague at the Daily Telegraph had indeed trekked up from Surrey to his birth town and while I neglected to poke my nose in the press room, he was in attendance.
“Yes, I missed the first three,” said Howard yesterday, “But this was my 75th anniversary, so I’ve seen the last 76.” As I said, I should have called in, but greed got the better of me. A few yards from the far end of the main car park is a fantastic fish and chip shop. I can’t manage chips yet, but as my neuralgia seems to be responding to treatment, the famed scampi was fine.
I always used to say that I could make a portion of this delicious concoction last me all the way down to Grantham. I called for the larger (ten) option, but it barely got me to Bawtry. On second thoughts, I must have been a double-ten portion man. Figures! I love the St Leger, almost as much as Aidan, Ryan and the Coolmore boys.
Continuous added to Aidan O’Brien’s Classic haul with a clinical triumph in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster.
On a day when a first royal Classic winner since 1977 was a real possibility, it was racing royalty that came to the fore as O’Brien won the showpiece event for the seventh time with the 3-1 second-favourite striking in the hands of Ryan Moore.
The Ballydoyle runner had marked himself out as a prime contender for the final Classic of the season with victory in the Great Voltigeur at York and franked that form in supreme style on Town Moor.
With stablemate Denmark setting the pace from Gregory, Moore was at pains to bide his time aboard Continuous alongside Desert Hero towards the rear of midfield.
But on turning for home Continuous showed his class up the long, stamina-stamina Doncaster straight, working his way to the front two furlongs from home and surging clear to register a two-and-three-quarter-length success over 11-4 favourite Arrest, who was ridden by Frankie Dettori in his final Classic.
Desert Hero ran with huge credit in third for the King and Queen, who were on course to watch the William Haggas-trained colt.
Ryan Moore celebrates with the trophy (Danny Lawson/PA)
O’Brien said: “He got the distance very well in York and we were not sure about the distance but he has got it well again.
“There are a lot of possibilities and it will be down to the lads, the Arc is in two weeks and is a possibility, but we’ll talk to Ryan and see what they want to do.
“He’s a lot of class this horse this horse and he does stay and he does handle soft ground. There is every chance he could, he’s a hardy horse and he could back up in two weeks.
“The lads will decide that, but I would say there is a chance.”
The King and Queen helped make a special day at Doncaster (Danny Lawson/PA)
He added: “It’s so special that the King and Queen were here, you could see the buzz around the parade ring and the passion from the crowd.
“Frankie is another who is special, he has been unbelievable. He’s beaten us in so many races I cannot tell you and I can’t wait until he retires! He’s the most unbelievable rider we’ve ever seen and a great fellow too, a very kind man, he always wants good for everybody, there’s no side to Frankie.
“He’s always worked very hard all his career and he always does his best. It’s not like when he retires he’s not going to go racing, but he’s always been great friends with us. He’s ridden a lot of big winners for us but he’s beaten us more than he’s won for us!
“He used to ride out at Ballydoyle and I always remember him riding Australia when he was a two-year-old and he told us in the March I think it was that he was going to be very special.”
Ryan Moore with Continuous (PA)
Winning his third Leger, Moore said he was always happy with the way Continuous was travelling: “Over these trips you want the horse to be taking you and I knew a long way out he was going well.
“He showed at York he had a turn of foot and because we went steady I was always happy.
“He’s out of a Galileo mare so I was always confident he’d stay and his sire, Heart’s Cry, was the only horse who could beat Deep Impact in Japan so there was stamina there.
“He showed a really good turn of foot to put the race to bed and then just had a look around in the final furlong.”
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Ryan Moore produced a sterling ride aboard Continuous as he came from last to first to register an emphatic victory in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the son of Heart’s Cry dead-heated for third in the Dante at the track earlier in the season and was putting his St Leger credentials to the test following a fine effort in defeat behind King Of Steel at Royal Ascot.
Sent off the 4-1 second favourite, he answered every question to throw his hat in the ring for the final Classic of the season in tremendous fashion.
Ridden with real patience by Moore as 8-11 favourite Gregory went for home early under Frankie Dettori, Continuous gradually worked his way through the gears and as Gregory’s challenge began to wain inside the final two furlongs, the Ballydoyle colt was just getting started as he powered clear of runner-up Castle Way for an authoritative three-and-three-quarter-length success.
The winner was cut to 4-1 joint favourite from 12s by Betfair for the St Leger on September 16, with the firm also easing Gregory out to 5-1 for Doncaster after John and Thady Gosden’s charge stayed on for third.
Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore before the Voltigeur (Mike Egerton/PA)
O’Brien said: “He’s a lovely horse who is progressing, he has enough class for a mile and a half and could stay further. He’s an exciting horse really.
“He handles an ease in the ground well as he has a bit of a round action, but that was fast ground there today – Ryan said it was quicker than it was at Royal Ascot – and he didn’t seem to have any problem with it.
“He came here in the Dante and needed the run very badly and ran a massive race. I said to Ryan before the race today ‘would any of those other horses have ran as well in the Dante as he did?’ and he said they wouldn’t. A little bit of class usually outs, especially if the pace is even.
“I asked Ryan about that (the St Leger trip). He said he doesn’t need a mile and six, but he said you wouldn’t rule it out.”
Charlie Appleby does not view Castle Way as a St Leger candidate following his run, with an American target on the horizon now.
He said: “I’m pleased. The fractions looked very quick and William (Buick) said he was close enough but fair play to the winner, he was the fastest horse in the race.
“The main thing to take out of it is that William did say the mile and six in the Leger will probably stretch him, so where do we go next?
“I think I’ll most definitely put him on the radar for Belmont (Jockey Club Derby) where the quick ground will suit him.
“That will most likely be our next stop. He’s got a great attitude, he tries but he was beaten by a better horse today.”
It didn't look likely at one stage, but Continuous stays on best to win the @SkyBet Great Voltigeur Stakes for @Ballydoyle and Ryan Moore @yorkracecourse!
The son of Heart's Cry is now as short as 5-2 for the St Leger 👀
John Gosden was pleased with the performance of Gregory in third, and feels the extra distance in the St Leger will be in his favour.
“We felt we couldn’t go from Royal Ascot to the Leger so we had to come here, even with a 3lb penalty,” he said.
“They went a strong pace and there were two others forcing it, but what I loved about it was that a furlong out he got going again.
“To me he’s run the perfect trial for the Leger. I did say to the owners before the race that I’d asked the course executive if they could move the stalls back to the start of the Ebor, but they wouldn’t!
“I couldn’t be more pleased as a Leger prep and you can see by the size of him he’s all about next year, one more run in the Leger and then Cup races next year.”
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