Tag Archive for: Los Angeles

O’Brien expects Los Angeles to shine in Arc test

/in /by

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.

“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
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.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

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.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

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.



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

O’Brien keeping options open over Los Angeles programme

/in /by

Los Angeles will either run in the Betfred St Leger or the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes on September 14.

Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby winner defied a 5lb penalty in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last week, with stablemate Illinois closing him down rapidly in the last of the 12 furlongs.

If he stays at home for the Irish Champion, he will be dropping to 10 furlongs, but should he run at Doncaster, he will be stepping up to a mile and three-quarters.

O’Brien is well stocked for both races, with Auguste Rodin pencilled in for the highlight of the Irish Champions Festival, while at Doncaster, stablemates Illinois, the unbeaten Jan Brueghel and Grosvenor Square are heading the betting.

With City Of Troy set to skip the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in favour of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Los Angeles could book his ticket for Paris by running well at Leopardstown.

“He could go to either the St Leger or the Irish Champion Stakes. Obviously, if he’s going to the Arc, he could go for the Irish Champion Stakes,” said O’Brien.

“Auguste Rodin could go there as well with Luxembourg. That’s a little bit of a change this week.

“We’ll see what the ground is going to be like at Doncaster and there are three other horses that could run in the St Leger if he (Los Angeles) didn’t run there.

“He seems to have come out of the race (in York) well. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Los Angeles digs deep to grind out Great Voltigeur victory

/in /by

The star of Los Angeles continues to rise after the Irish Derby scorer registered a gutsy success in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.

Third behind Ballydoyle stablemate City Of Troy at Epsom, Aidan O’Brien’s son of Camelot gained his own Classic triumph at the Curragh in the Irish equivalent on his last start.

Supplemented into this Group Two event, he was sent off 5-4 favourite in the hands of Ryan Moore as he became the first horse to win the Knavesmire contest under a penalty.

Los Angeles was settled in third as O’Brien-trained pair Euphoric and Illinois took the field along, but once shaken up to bridge the gap to his stablemates, he responded to Moore’s urgings to work his way to the head of proceedings.

The challengers mounted at all angles as Los Angeles needed to pull out all the stops inside the final furlong but neither rallying runner-up Illinois or Harry Charlton’s King’s Gambit could get past Moore and his willing ally as he hung on by a neck.

He was made the 5-2 outright favourite for the St Leger by Paddy Power in the aftermath, but it remains to be seen in which direction connections will head in the autumn.

O’Brien said: “He was very tough and we were delighted with him. He’s just a lazy horse that gets a mile and a half well.

“Obviously the lads will make that decision (where he runs next), but the second horse stays very well and a mile and six (furlongs) is probably where he is going to be seen at his best.

“Ryan’s horse (Los Angeles) can do either – he can go up in trip, but he has plenty of class, so he could go back for an Irish Champion Stakes and finish in the first four and go on to an Arc, or he can go to the Leger with the others.

“The horse that won in Goodwood (Jan Brueghel) would probably get the Leger trip very well, Illinois would probably get the trip very well and Los Angeles could get it as well, but would have an option of going shorter trips as well.

“He’s a massive, handsome, powerful horse and he has the options and he’s very versatile ground-wise.

“I’m delighted for the lads and everyone. It’s hard to win these races, so it for it to come together, especially at a place like this, is great.”

King’s Gambit seen here winning at Newbury
King’s Gambit seen here winning at Newbury (Steven Paston/PA)

Charlton was satisfied with King’s Gambit’s effort but has yet to consider future plans.

He said: “He ran a lovely race. William (Buick) just thought he stays a mile and a half but that felt more like a mile and six on him the way they rode it.

“He came there to win his race but he was slightly on empty, but he’s run great. He made a lot of ground from three out to close up but then he just emptied.

“He’s a 10- or 12-furlong horse but 12 in less extreme circumstances.

“We’ve nothing in mind, I’ll talk to Mohammed Jaber and see what he wants to do.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Voltigeur run could determine Los Angeles’ target

/in /by

Aidan O’Brien has added a real touch of class to the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes with the decision to supplement Irish Derby hero Los Angeles.

While losing his unbeaten record to stablemate City Of Troy in the Derby, he left Epsom with his reputation enhanced and duly added Classic glory of his own at the Curragh.

He is favourite or joint-favourite with another stablemate, Jan Brueghel, for the St Leger at Doncaster and his performance at York on Wednesday could have a bearing on where he goes next, with the Camelot colt entered in virtually every race worthy of a mention.

Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore with Camelot after winning the Irish Derby
Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore with Camelot after winning the Irish Derby (Damien Eagers/PA)

“We just thought this looked the right race for him to run in, even with his penalty, so we were happy to supplement him,” said O’Brien, who will also saddle Illinois and Euphoric.

“There’s lots of places he can go after it. Obviously there’s the Leger at a mile and six, he could go up to two miles or having won the Irish Derby, he could always go back to a mile and four.

“This race might help us decide where he goes, and we’ve got Illinois in there as well who won at Ascot (Queen’s Vase) and then we took him to France when he ran a great race (Grand Prix de Paris).”

King’s Gambit is a worthy opponent to the Ballydoyle duo, and appears due a change of luck after having very little of it in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot or in the York Stakes over this course and distance.

King’s Gambit came to prominence when winning the London Gold Cup at Newbury
King’s Gambit came to prominence when winning the London Gold Cup at Newbury (Steven Paston/PA)

“He’s run well of late and through no fault of his own has just not come out with a win at Ascot and then at York it was a bizarre race,” said trainer Harry Charlton.

“We knew it would be and he’s done the donkey work in what I was told was the slowest run 10-furlong race at York ever, which was never going to suit him being a potential 12-furlong horse up against speedy 10-furlong horses.

“I thought he ran well and more than anything it gave us confidence that 12 furlongs would be within his compass because he was deeply relaxed, lobbing along in front when the others were keen.

“It will be interesting how we get on as we are going in potentially against some stayers and he’s the one coming up in trip, so it will be interesting to see. He might be the one with the speed and they will want to go a nice tempo, which he likes.”

William Haggas is represented by Space Legend, who was disappointing up in trip in the Bahrain Trophy but had looked progressive prior to that.



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Los Angeles stars in reversing Epsom form for Irish Derby glory

/in /by

Los Angeles put his name up in lights as he showed his class in a blockbuster conclusion to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Third behind Aidan O’Brien stablemate City Of Troy in the Derby, he had just over three lengths to find with James Fanshawe’s Epsom runner-up Ambiente Friendly, who was sent off the 6-4 favourite at the Curragh.

Los Angeles was one of four for O’Brien in Ireland’s premier Classic and it was the Ballydoyle quartet who dominated the front of the race in the early stages, with Euphoric, Grosvenor Square and The Euphrates giving their hotly-fancied stablemate the perfect tow into the race.

Heading into the straight Ambiente Friendly had raced strongly to the heels of Los Angeles, who was being asked to stretch for home by Ryan Moore, and the duo became embroiled in a titanic duel.

As much as Robert Havlin tried, however, he could not reel in the son of Camelot aboard Ambiente Friendly, who just gave way to another British raider, David Menuisier’s Sunway, for second in the closing stages.

Los Angeles had three-quarters of a length in hand at the winning post as he scored at odds of 13-8, a victory that gave O’Brien a record-extending 16th triumph in the race. Ambiente Friendly was another half-length away in third.

“We were delighted with him in Epsom and we thought he would come forward,” said O’Brien.

Los Angeles returns victorious after the Irish Derby
Los Angeles returns victorious after the Irish Derby (PA)

“Obviously he did go forward in Epsom and learned plenty, we were hoping that would be the case so he could come back here.

“Ryan gave him a great ride. It was a solid, even pace and it’s an unbelievable track. It’s great to have this race at this time of the year so all those horses can come together and you get to find out what’s there.

“He’s a big, hardy horse. He looks like he was a baby, but he is a Group One winner at two as well.

“He is progressing, definitely, and we’re really looking forward to him. Obviously he’s by Camelot so he has that class, he can quicken.

“Ryan said he had a lot more class than he expected and he quickened very well when he got there.”

Bookmakers were quick to promote Los Angeles to favouritism for the Betfred St Leger, although O’Brien said: “We came here thinking that he was going to turn into a Leger horse, but Ryan said he has way more class than that.”

Coolmore boss John Magnier was in attendance, and said of the Epsom form standing up: “That’s important, especially now that the French have changed their race (Prix du Jockey Club) and it’s not really the Derby anymore. It’s good to have the Epsom form held up here, really important I’d say.”

Ryan Moore, John Magnier and Aidan O’Brien after winning the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby with Los Angeles
Ryan Moore, John Magnier and Aidan O’Brien after winning the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby with Los Angeles (Damien Eagers/PA)

Some have suggested the Irish Derby should follow the French route and drop to 10 furlongs, but Magnier said: “That’s (mile and a half) the tradition and the history. It’s like the Belmont in America, they won’t shorten the distance.

“The thing is that you need to go from the top to the bottom, you don’t need all five-furlong races.”

On the winner he added: “Maybe Willie Mullins will be looking for him now! He is a good stamp of a horse.

“He won his Group One race as a two-year-old, he’s an improving horse, as Aidan has said. Maybe he’ll get even better.

“The race paid a compliment to him (City Of Troy), obviously. We’ll let the horse do the talking now. Aidan said what he said about him last year and we looked a bit stupid after the Guineas, so I don’t think we’ll say any more and let him deal with it from now on.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Havlin ready to seize Irish Derby chance with Ambiente Friendly

/in /by

Robert Havlin is well aware he has found himself in an enviable position aboard the talented Ambiente Friendly and is determined to grasp the opportunity, as the Epsom runner-up seeks to go one better in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

James Fanshawe’s son of Gleneagles found only the sublime City Of Troy too strong in the Derby and now heads to the Curragh as the bookmakers’ favourite to taste Classic success in the Irish equivalent.

His jockey has an Italian Derby to his name, but a British or Irish Classic has so far eluded one of the elder statesmen of the weighing room, whose experience saw him chosen by the Gredley family to replace Callum Shepherd in the saddle at Epsom.

Havlin retains the partnership with Ambiente Friendly for what represents a rare visit to the home of Irish racing for the 50-year-old.

However, the veteran Scot – who has guided a plethora of John Gosden superstars through the early part of their careers – has full faith in his mount handling the stamina test the Curragh presents, having been impressed with his maturity since his fine performance in the premier Classic.

“I’m really looking forward to Sunday and he’s come out of Epsom really well,” said Havlin, whose season continued on the crest of a wave when he guided Audience to a surprise all-the-way success in the Lockinge Stakes.

“Being a breeze-up horse, it can go one way or the other, but he’s taken it unbelievably well and it’s like he’s matured overnight.

“I rode him Thursday morning and he felt great, I’ve ridden him a few times this week. Thursday morning he was bucking and kicking, but then he lobbed up the canter out of my hands the whole way.”

Robert Havlin is confident in Ambiente Friendly
Robert Havlin is confident in Ambiente Friendly (John Walton/PA)

He went on: “It’s a while since I’ve ridden a mile and a half at the Curragh, it was quite a lot of years ago. I think now he’s so relaxed – he’s unbelievably relaxed – I don’t think the track will pose any threats.

“I’m unbelievably lucky to fall upon him, not in the best circumstances I suppose, but you have to take these opportunities with both hands.”

There is no City Of Troy standing in Ambiente Friendly’s way this time, but Ballydoyle will still be well represented, with Epsom third Los Angeles leading the assault.

Havlin is happy to see the Derby hero head elsewhere for now, but despite having just over three lengths in hand over Los Angeles on the Surrey Downs, he is respectful of the challenge that rival poses as they lock horns for a second time.

Ambiente Friendly (yellow) chased home City Of Troy at Epsom
Ambiente Friendly (yellow) chased home City Of Troy at Epsom (Adam Davy/PA)

“Ambiente Friendly didn’t have a hard race at Epsom so we are hoping he can go there, has improved again and can finish in front of Los Angeles again,” continued Havlin.

“Los Angeles would be entitled to get a bit closer this time, he went down on his sword at Epsom and the Curragh might suit him a little bit better, but I’m really looking forward to the rematch.

“There’s no City Of Troy this time and it would be nice to meet him somewhere down the line to test the water again, but we can leave that for another day.”

As well as Los Angeles, Aidan O’Brien will saddle Grosvenor Square, Epsom ninth Euphoric and King Edward VII Stakes fifth The Euphrates in a bid to extend his imperious race record.

Los Angeles finished third at Epsom
Los Angeles finished third at Epsom (Bradley Collyer/PA)

However, it is clearly the mount of Ryan Moore who has the best chance of giving the master of Ballydoyle Irish Derby number 16.

“The Curragh looks like it should suit him,” said O’Brien of Los Angeles.

“He’s come out of Epsom really well, we couldn’t be happier with him really, so we’re looking forward to running him.

“We’ve been happy with him since, this is his third run of the year, so hopefully he can improve again (to make up the ground on Ambiente Friendly).”

On the ground for Los Angeles, O’Brien – who first landed the Curragh showpiece with Desert King in 1997 – added: “I think it should be fine, it was quick enough in Epsom.

“He’s a very big horse and racing is only going to improve him, mentally and physically, we think. He’s a big, honest, straightforward horse, we think.

Desert King was Aidan O'Brien's first Irish Derby winner
Desert King was Aidan O’Brien’s first Irish Derby winner (PA)

“He’s hardy and he’s fresh, but he’s very genuine and he relaxes very well. He’s obviously by Camelot and they have plenty of nervous energy. That’s the way they are and that’s what makes them good, I think.

“We’re very happy with everything he has done since then.”

Of his others, O’Brien said: “Grosvenor Square is a lovely, big horse, but he was a little bit backwards when we ran him at Chester.

“He’s just ready to start again so hopefully he runs a nice race.

“The Euphrates ran a nice race at Ascot and hopefully he comes forward again, we think he’ll improve as the year goes on, the same for Euphoric.”

Ger Lyons’ Keeper’s Heart bolsters the Irish hand in their bid to keep the first prize on home soil, but there is not just Ambiente Friendly making the trip from the UK.

Roger Varian has always spoken highly of Matsuri and the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum-owned son of Sea The Stars is pitched into deep waters following his impressive Leicester novice success, with the in-form James Doyle expecting this race to provide an acid test of his potential.

Happy days! James Doyle pictured with Henry Winkler at Royal Ascot
Happy days! James Doyle pictured with Henry Winkler at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

He said: “His win (at Leicester) in the first part of the year, he was a bit keen, but it was a nothing contest and we didn’t learn much. Visually he looked like he could gallop.

“It’s not an easy race to step into, but his home work has been good.”

Doyle is still on a high after winning four times at Royal Ascot, all in the colours of his new retainer of Wathnan Racing.

He added: “It was brilliant, now I’m back down to earth with Carlisle and Beverley and the smaller tracks!

“But it’s good, they’re running well and the boss is happy – that’s the main thing.

“You always want more though, however many you win.”

Sunway and Oisin Murphy
Sunway and Oisin Murphy have formed a great team (PA)

David Menuisier’s Sunway completes the line-up, as the French Derby seventh takes a second bite of the Classic cherry.

Having competed over 10 furlongs at Chantilly, Oisin Murphy now feels the time is right to test the son of Galiway over further and is optimistic he can get involved at the business end.

“I felt the last day I was too far back off a slow pace and he’s been crying out for a little bit further,” said the former champion.

“I rode him on Tuesday, David Menuisier is very happy with him, as am I. He’s drawn eight of eight, but that doesn’t concern me. I’m hoping he’ll run a career best.

“On ratings, he’s not out of the race and if he runs up to his best, which the signs are good for, he’ll go well.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Ryan Moore confident Curragh test will suit Los Angeles

/in /by

Ryan Moore is hoping Los Angeles can make up ground with Ambiente Friendly as the pair clash again in Sunday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

The duo met in the Derby at Epsom earlier this month, with neither proving a match for Los Angeles’ stablemate City Of Troy, who ran out an impressive winner for Moore and trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Ambiente Friendly was a two-and-three-quarter-length runner-up for James Fanshawe on that occasion, with Los Angeles beaten a further three and a quarter lengths in third.

However, Moore expects his mount to be suited by the Curragh track and believes Los Angeles could improve again on what will be just his fifth career start.

Los Angeles in winning action at Leopardstown
Los Angeles in winning action at Leopardstown (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

The rider told RTE’s Morning Ireland: “He was a Group One-winning two-year-old, he won his trial nicely at Leopardstown and he ran a super race in the Derby.

“I think the Curragh will suit him well.

“He’s done very little wrong in his career. Obviously, he’s got to turn the form around with Ambiente Friendly, who was a good runner-up in the Derby.

“We’ve got a few lengths to find but hopefully he’s still open to improvement and we would like to think he can find a little bit more returning to the Curragh.”

O’Brien is also confident his son of Camelot can make his presence felt as he bids for a record-extending 16th success in the Classic event.

O’Brien said: “Los Angeles seems to be in good form. He’s a big, strong horse and very straightforward and obviously Epsom can be a little bit tactical and a little bit undulating, so we were delighted with the run and we just felt he needed to run for the experience and we’ve been happy with him since.

“He’s a big horse, but he’s a good mover. It was nice ground in Epsom and he didn’t have any problem with it and he seemed to come out of the race very well.”

Ambiente Friendly (white cap) found only City Of Troy too good at Epsom
Ambiente Friendly (white cap) found only City Of Troy too good at Epsom (Adam Davy/PA)

Meanwhile, Ambiente Friendly’s trainer is backing big-race jockey Robert Havlin to get the tactics right in a race that also sees Epsom ninth Euphoric, along with Grosvenor Square and The Euphrates, represent O’Brien.

Fanshawe said: “He goes over tonight and he’s been really good since Epsom. He lost a bit of weight after the Derby, which is understandable, but he worked well a week ago and seems really well.

“He’s come along way in a short space of time, Ambiente Friendly, he was an 8-1 shot for the (Lingfield) Derby Trial and won that well before running a tremendous race in the Derby, so hopefully he can keep going in an upward trajectory.

“The race will play out as it is and I will leave that to Rab. I’m sure there will be some pace and there’s not many runners. He handled Epsom OK so he should be able to handle most tracks.

“Rab has been riding him a lot since Epsom and is really happy with the horse.”

The Ger Lyons-trained Keeper’s Heart is also part of the home defence, with Ambiente Friendly joined by David Menuisier’s French Derby seventh Sunway and the Roger Varian-trained Leicester novice winner Matsuri as the British challenge in a field of eight.



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Curragh or Sandown on the cards for City Of Troy’s next outing

/in /by

A trip to the Curragh or Sandown look to be the options for City Of Troy’s eagerly-awaited next racecourse outing.

Plans for Aidan O’Brien’s brilliant Betfred Derby winner have yet to be finalised by the Coolmore partners, but the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby or the Coral-Eclipse appear to be the races in the frame.

Beyond that, the Travers Stakes on dirt at Saratoga in August has not been ruled out.

City Of Troy was a tremendous winner of the Derby
City Of Troy was a tremendous winner of the Derby (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club)

Speaking at the Curragh on Wednesday evening, O’Brien said: “I’m still waiting on the lads, they are still dwelling over it. Obviously it’s between here and Sandown, I’d imagine.

“We’ve three months to Saratoga if he was to go there, they are the three races. When they decide what to do we’ll go with the plan. Hopefully in the next week we’ll know.

“I don’t think it (trip) matters to him really.”

In third at Epsom was previously unbeaten stablemate Los Angeles, who lost little in defeat.

O’Brien added: “Where Los Angeles goes will all depend on City Of Troy. He’s a big, hardy fella and he’ll progress, too. He ran a great race.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

City Of Troy and Los Angeles both on course for Epsom, says O’Brien

/in /by

Aidan O’Brien has confirmed City Of Troy, Los Angeles and outsider Euphoric as his three intended runners in the Betfred Derby on Saturday.

The Ballydoyle handler retains a strong hand as he looks to add to his record haul of nine victories in the premier Classic, with six horses left in the race at Monday’s confirmation stage.

But with French 2000 Guineas Diego Velazquez instead heading back across the Channel for Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, and Illinois and Portland seemingly not making the trip to Epsom, that number is set to be halved come the big day.

Aidan O'Brien is planning to run three horses in the Betfred Derby at Epsom
Aidan O’Brien is planning to run three horses in the Betfred Derby at Epsom (Damien Eagers/PA)

“That is what we’re thinking of, maybe the three, everything seems well with them all at the moment so that’s what we’re thinking,” O’Brien said in a France Galop zoom call on Tuesday.

O’Brien’s comments would appear to ease any concerns about the participation of City Of Troy after several bookmakers reported significant support for Los Angeles.

Coral cut the Leopardstown Derby Trial winner to 4-1 from 9-2 and eased City Of Troy at the head of the betting to 11-4 from 9-4, while Paddy Power have the stablemates even closer together in the market, with City Of Troy pushed out to the same price and Los Angeles a 100-30 shot from 5-1.

Coral have also seen support for Charlie Appleby’s Ancient Wisdom, with their spokesman David Stevens saying: “City Of Troy was as short as 7-4 for the Derby last week, but in recent days Ancient Wisdom, who was 11-1, and Los Angeles, 6-1 at the weekend, have been the pair attracting the most support, to the point where either could now end up replacing City Of Troy as big-race favourite come Saturday.”

O’Brien is not overly concerned about the underfoot conditions for either of his two main protagonists.

He added: “That (ground) should be fine I think, they’re giving Friday and Saturday dry, so you often see the ground can be slow for the Oaks and perfect for the Derby. We think and hope it’s going to be nice ground and I think that’ll suit everybody really.”

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Los Angeles has now usurped Ambiente Friendly as second-favourite and after sustained support is in to 100-30 from 5-1.

“Nothing will change City Of Troy being our biggest loser at this stage as he was all the rage for the guts of a year, although there don’t seem to be many punters keen to back him now even at 11-4.

“There’s not a lot of difference in price in the Ballydoyle big two now and while a week ago I wouldn’t even have envisaged Ryan Moore not partnering City Of Troy and we, of course, have absolutely no idea of their riding arrangements, were Ryan to elect to ride Los Angeles instead, I would be flabbergasted if the latter doesn’t go off favourite.”

O’Brien, however, fully expects Moore to keep the faith in City Of Troy as he looks to follow in the hoofprints of last year’s Epsom hero Auguste Rodin by bouncing back from 2000 Guineas disappointment to claim Derby glory, with Wayne Lordan therefore set to keep the ride on Los Angeles.

“That’s the plan, that is what we were thinking of doing. I didn’t hear anything different and I think that has been the plan all along,” said O’Brien.



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Derby dream well and truly alive for City Of Troy

/in /by

Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore partners are “back dreaming again” with City Of Troy ahead of the Betfred Derby.

The Justify colt has reclaimed his position at the head of the betting for the premier Classic, despite running a most lacklustre race in the 2000 Guineas on his first start at three.

O’Brien has raised several theories for his eclipse at Newmarket, but his faith in last year’s champion juvenile has never remotely wavered.

In fact, in time spent with the Ballydoyle supremo it is hard not to get carried along with his enthusiasm and given the superstars to have passed through his hands, some of his statements regarding City Of Troy’s ability are startling.

Derby favourite City Of Troy goes through his paces at Ballydoyle
Derby favourite City Of Troy goes through his paces at Ballydoyle (John Hoy/The Jockey Club)

“Everything has been good since (the Guineas) and we just accepted that all these things just happened and went wrong on the day and we’ve decided to stay with the plan. He’s done nothing since to make us change the plan. The plan was always to start with the Guineas and go on to the Derby and then go wherever after that and that’s where we still are,” he said.

“Sometimes it happens and obviously it happened in the Guineas and it happened again last weekend (in the French Guineas, with Henry Longfellow). Sometimes things don’t work and really I would always say that it’s my responsibility to make sure it works and when it doesn’t work, well we’ve done our homework but maybe we didn’t do it all properly. That’s the way I would look at the Guineas.

“When he went down to the start he should have been relaxed, but he went into the stalls and he was revved up. He wasn’t flustered, but obviously his mind wasn’t in the right place, because he’s a very good natured horse as you can see – unusually good for a colt. He’s very calm and relaxed, but it all just happened at the wrong few seconds.

“It will make it very interesting the next day. For us, I’m not sure we’ve ever sent a horse to the Derby with as much ability as this. If we can get him to come out of those gates and everything to work properly for him then we can have him in the right place.”

By an American Triple Crown winner and out of a Galileo mare, what City Of Troy did over seven furlongs last year caught many by surprise. Usually you would be expecting him to improve for stepping up in trip and O’Brien seems to have no question marks over his stamina.

“I don’t think so. I don’t think I ever did (doubt his stamina). I never thought any trip was a problem for him. You’re never sure until you do it, but he has a big, long stride and he’s usually very chilled and relaxed. But it will be a very interesting race now,” said O’Brien.

“I suppose what he did last year – everything he was doing last year, the statistics were adding up. His times, everything. He never disappointed us in any way.

“But we all know horse racing and we all know life – no one knows what’s going to happen in the next half hour. Listen, the Guineas just wasn’t meant to be. I feel like, myself, I hadn’t got him prepared properly, so what we would have learned in the Guineas will hopefully help us to prepare him properly for the Derby.

“He’s obviously by Justify, who was an unbeaten Triple Crown winner, and out of a Group One-winning Galileo mare, so one thing you cannot stop coming out in anything is pedigree and his is as blue as it gets, so hopefully he’s well and we can have him in the right place.”

Asked whether he had to pick the Coolmore team up after the Guineas or if they raised his spirits, O’Brien replied: “The lads are unbelievable because they take disappointment on the chin, that’s the truth. I suppose we’ve been doing it for 30 years now and, as you all know, an awful lot of stuff doesn’t happen.

“Obviously when you get there sometimes it doesn’t happen, and we all think there’s a reason why it didn’t happen, we delved into what we thought the reason was. At the moment we’re back dreaming again.”

Last year, Auguste Rodin disappointed badly in the Guineas before winning the Derby. But O’Brien sees the situations as different.

“The circumstances there were that he (Auguste Rodin) came out of the gates at Newmarket and he got sandwiched both sides and it was over straight away, because here was a horse running in the Guineas that we knew was way short of his best so you know when you’re running in a race everything has to fall for you for it to happen and it just didn’t fall for him either,” said O’Brien.

“It was a bit like that this year with this horse (City Of Troy), nothing fell (right) and it all went against us, but we probably always knew that even though he’d won a Dewhurst and he’d only run over seven furlongs, we always knew he was going to be a middle-distance horse.”

Los Angeles remains unbeaten
Los Angeles remains unbeaten (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

City Of Troy is likely to be joined by a stablemate or two at Epsom, although which ones are still to be decided. In Los Angeles, though, an unbeaten Group One winner of Ireland’s best Derby trial, he has a high-quality contender in his own right.

O’Brien said: “I loved the way Los Angeles won at Leopardstown and the beauty about him is that he’s a horse who we’ve always thought can only get better the further he goes. So the fact he has already won a Group One in France and Ireland’s best Derby trial can only bode well.

“Illinois came forward a good bit from the Ballysax, but it looks very much like he met a good horse (Ambiente Friendly) at Lingfield. He didn’t look in love with the track, but other than not winning I was very happy with him.

“We thought Capulet had a very good chance of reversing the form from Chelmsford (at Chester) with the winner (Bracken’s Laugh) and that’s what happened. He came forward a good bit from that run and is a very straightforward type. We’ve had plenty of interest from Hong Kong for him, but he could still go to Epsom at this stage.”

Asked about Diego Velazquez, O’Brien confirmed the French Derby remains his most likely destination following his fine run to be fourth in the French 2000 Guineas.

“The reason for going to France was the lads were thinking of going to the French Derby and that’s right-handed. We could have gone to the Dante with him, but we felt he wouldn’t have the experience if we decided to go to France so that was his reason,” O’Brien said.

“We thought if we finished in the first four in France then he would run a massive race in the French Derby, but he has an option because he’s still in the Derby at Epsom as well. The lads will make that call as well.

“Christophe (Soumillon) rode him and he said he’s going to win a Group race very quickly, this horse, so he was very impressed with him.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Los Angeles stakes Derby claim with Trial triumph

/in /by

Los Angeles put himself in the Derby picture with victory in the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown.

The Camelot colt was unbeaten at two, winning a Tipperary maiden and then bowing out for the season at the top level when taking the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud in October.

He returned to action as one of two Aidan O’Brien-trained horses in the Leopardstown Group Three, starting as the 4-5 favourite under Wayne Lordan as Declan McDonogh took the ride on stablemate Euphoric.

After racing in midfield, the three-year-old began to progress as the race reached the halfway stage and challenged for the lead two furlongs from home.

From there he edged past Euphoric on the inside rail and held off Dermot Weld’s Taraj to prevail by a length and shrink his price for the Derby from 20-1 to 10-1 with Coral.

Aidan O’Brien’s stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “It was great to get him out. Obviously he won his maiden first time in Tipperary and then stepped up quickly enough to the race in France.

“Both his runs last year were on an easier surface, so it’s great to get him out here. He’s carrying a bit more condition and the run is going to bring him on a ton.

“When he steps up again to a mile and a half he’ll improve and he’s right now bang in the Derby picture. He’s very exciting.

“The second horse ran a cracker as well and once he goes up in trip again he’ll improve a lot. The second horse is a very solid horse.”

Of the winner, Armstrong added: “He only had the two runs under his belt at two, which came in quite quick succession.

Los Angeles after winning the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes
Los Angeles after winning the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“I’d say he’s still quite raw and he’ll come on mentally and physically. He’s one to look forward to for the Derby.

“He’s got the pedigree. He’s by Camelot, where he gets the stamina.

“He’s a big horse but he’s a beautiful mover and he’s got the right mind. You could see him walking around the paddock beforehand, absolutely chilled and he has the same attitude at home.

“Camelot obviously went around there (Epsom) no problem and this horse has a lot of his good sire traits. He can travel away and the big improvement will be when he goes up to the mile and a half.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

One Look primed for Classic trial at Leopardstown

/in /by

One Look can book her ticket for the Irish 1,000 Guineas with victory in the Group Three Al Shira’aa Racing “Mutamakina” Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Paddy Twomey’s unbeaten filly caused something of a sensation when winning the Goffs Million on her racecourse debut last season, in what was her only juvenile outing.

She reappeared in a small race at Cork in March, winning readily at the prohibitive price of 1-20 but promising to improve for it, with Twomey using that spin as a stepping stone towards bigger targets, the first of which is this weekend.

“She’s in top form and we’re looking forward to Sunday,” said Twomey.

One Look remained unbeaten at Cork
One Look remained unbeaten at Cork (PA)

“She won well on debut at the Curragh and then she went to Cork at the start of the year and won again – and she’s trained well since.

“We’re looking forward to running her on a bit of nicer ground this weekend and to getting her out again.

“It was very heavy ground at Cork. It was great to win, but that race was all part of her training programme. That’s done, hopefully we’ve got nice ground on Sunday and away we go. We’re happy with her.”

A Lilac Rolla is another smart filly for Paddy Twomey
A Lilac Rolla is another smart filly for Paddy Twomey (Brian Lawless/PA)

Twomey also has another potentially top-class filly in his yard in A Lilac Rolla.

“The plan is to send her straight to the Irish Guineas,” he said.

When asked if there was much between the two, Twomey replied: “Pass!”

Two fillies taking on One Look this weekend, Aidan O’Brien’s Buttons and the Ger Lyons-trained Wendla, finished behind A Lilac Rolla at Leopardstown last time out.

In the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial, a race won by the likes of Sinndar, Galileo, High Chaparral, Alamshar, Yeats and Fame And Glory down the years, O’Brien runs the unbeaten Los Angeles, a Group One winner in France on just his second outing last year.

Taking him on is Bremen, trained by Donnacha O’Brien, who thrived for stepping up to a mile and a quarter at Cork on his return to action.

“The step up in trip really suited him. We were planning on going straight to the Gallinule instead of here, but this looked like cutting up a fair bit, so we put him in,” said the former Classic-winning jockey.

“He’s in good form, the ground should suit him, so we’re hopeful of a good run.

“He was a late foal, so he’s entitled to progress this year. He’s by Galileo, so we were always hoping that he’d improve for 10 furlongs.

“He’s a half-brother to Warm Heart and she got a good bit better at three.”

Donnacha O’Brien is also on a fact-finding mission in the Porsche In Support Of Breast Cancer Ireland Amethyst Stakes with Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite Valley is finally beginning to deliver on his early promise
Yosemite Valley is finally beginning to deliver on his early promise (Damien Eagers/PA)

A Listed winner over seven furlongs last time out, the Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half was mooted as a next move, but O’Brien is keen to see how he copes over a mile.

“He was very impressive the last day at the Curragh. We’re going up to a mile here and we’re not sure if he’s going to stay, but we’re going to give it a shot and we can always come back to seven if we need to,” he said.

“He’s in good form, all his work has been good, so we’re looking forward to it. Last time was a Group-level performance, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do at this grade.

“We’re still not 100 per cent sure what his best trip is, he works with a lot of pace but last time he hit the line strong over seven furlongs, indicating he would stay a mile. If he does, then it opens up a lot more options.

“Obviously, there’s a lot of nice races over a mile, but if he does need to drop back down in trip, something like the Minstrel would be an option, so we’re going to learn a bit anyway.”

Real Appeal, Power Under Me and Bold Discovery are others in the Group Three to note.



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Los Angeles stars for Ballydoyle in Criterium de Saint-Cloud

/in /by

Irish raiders filled the first three places in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, but not in the order the betting market predicted as Aidan O’Brien’s Los Angeles kept on best.

Christophe Soumillon’s mount benefitted from coming up the stands side rail to see off the Joseph O’Brien-trained Islandsinthestream and claim Group One glory over 10 furlongs at odds of 67-10.

The winner’s stablemate Illinois was a close-up third under Ryan Moore after being sent off the 19-10 joint-favourite alongside Islandsinthestream.

“He’s a very big horse and you would imagine he’s going to be a better horse next year,” said O’Brien of the Camelot colt on Sky Sports Racing.

“We felt the experience would do him good here and Christophe said he picked up very well.

“He said he wasn’t changing his legs throughout the race, so that’s why he was a little bit worried, so obviously he’s very babyish. But he said when he did get him to change his legs, he really picked up for him.

“I’d say Joseph’s horse is a good colt and Ryan’s horse has run a stormer as well, so they are obviously good colts.

“I asked Christophe how good could he be and he said he could be a Classic horse, so it’s something to look forward to.

“He said he could get a mile and a half, so that’s good. He’d only had one run before this, so it’s all very promising and good experience.”

Los Angeles was cut from 33-1 to 20-1 for next year’s Derby by Coral and is the same price with Paddy Power for Epsom glory.

“With Ryan Moore opting to ride Illinois, Los Angeles was perhaps not the Ballydoyle winner the market expected to see make the Group One breakthrough, but his neck success was enough to see his Derby odds tumble,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

Village Voice showed plenty of spirit when rallying late on to edge out Manisha in the Group Three Prix De Flore for Jessica Harrington.

The three-year-old was headed at the furlong pole but Cristian Demuro conjured up a renewed effort from his mount, with the stands rail again proving an assistance.

“It was important (having the rail) because the ground is very heavy,” said the jockey of the 13-10 favourite.

“I was supposed to stay behind the lead but the pace was very slow, so I went forward with her. The horse next to me put me under a bit of pressure but she’s a good filly and did it easily. It’s a pleasure to ride this kind of filly.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns