Jonathan Bead
Powerhouse trainer Aidan O’Brien is gearing up for an unforgettable 2023 with impressive horses like Auguste Rodin, Little Big Bear, and Meditate in his arsenal. O’Brien is a phenomenon in the world of racing, having broken every record worth breaking and won every race worth winning in Europe and beyond. His team of juveniles from 2022 has promise, which looks to translate into Classic contenders for 2023. O’Brien spoke to Kevin Blake of attheraces.com for an exclusive insight into their prospects.
Older horses:
Broome: “We were delighted with his win at Meydan. Races like the Goodwood Cup, the Irish St Leger, and Melbourne Cup would appeal as being good options for him.”
Changingoftheguard: “He could be one for the Coronation Cup at Epsom and might stay a bit further than that if we ask him to.”
Emily Dickinson: “She would look to be one for the Gold Cup. She grew another leg over the trip, so you’d hope that she’ll do even better when campaigned as a stayer this year.”
Kyprios: “Sometimes those things can settle very quickly and sometimes they don’t. That’s where we’re at with him at the moment.”
Luxembourg: “We are thinking about starting him off in the Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp and then probably look at the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.”
Point Lonsdale: “He did his first serious bit of work at the Curragh over the weekend, and everyone was happy. He could start back in the Mooresbridge Stakes.”
Tenebrism: “She should be fine over five or six furlongs. We could well ask her to run in both the King’s Stand Stakes and the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.”
Three-year-olds:
Aesop’s Fables: “One that we’ll campaign as a sprinter this year.”
Alexandroupolis: “He might go for the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown. He’ll handle softer ground well.”
Alfred Munnings: “He seems a Guineas type, rather than a middle-distance horse.”
Auguste Rodin: “He’s the one. From the first time Ryan rode him back in February last year as a two-year-old, he was raving about him. You’d imagine that he’ll have no trouble stretching out to a mile-and-a-quarter or a mile-and-a-half. He’s the type of horse that will be adaptable.”
Be Happy: “We have an Oaks trial at Saint-Cloud on Saturday in mind for her.”
Beginnings: “We’ll have a better idea of where she slots in after the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes this weekend.”
Cairo: “We feel he just didn’t face the kickback on the dirt, and we are happy to forgive him the run.”
Continuous: “We could send him to France for a Derby trial type of race.”
Dame Kiri: “She needs to step up, but we’ve sent fillies there before that needed to step up and they’ve ended up being Classic winners.”
Espionage: “He won’t be out in the early part of the season.”
Greenland: “He’s done very well over the winter, and we will send him to a Derby trial.”
Little Big Bear: “He’s a very relaxed horse and should give himself a good chance at being as effective over a mile as at shorter.”
Meditate: “She’s the one for the 1000 Guineas. She’s very impressive and has been consistent in her performances.”
With such an impressive lineup, Aidan O’Brien and his team are set to take the racing world by storm in 2023.
Original Post Link
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings