Ballydoyle Stable Tour

Aidan O’Brien discusses Ballydoyle’s 2019 prospects with Kevin Blake of AtTheRaces

Older Horses

Amedeo Modigliani (IRE)
• 4-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Gooseberry Fool (UK) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))

He’s a horse we were really looking forward to last season, but a sequence of small little setbacks kept him off the track all year. We are thinking of running him in the Devoy Stakes at Naas this Sunday. He’s ready to start off and hopefully he’ll run a nice race, but I’d expect him to improve a lot on whatever he does. He’s a good-moving horse and I we think he’ll be better on firmer ground than he is likely to get on Sunday. He shows a lot of pace in his work and we aren’t 100% sure if his best trip will end up being a mile-and-a-quarter or a mile. We’ve always liked him and hopefully he’ll show what we’ve seen from him at home on the track this season.

Capri (IRE)
• 5-y-o; grey colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Dialafara (FR) (Anabaa (USA))

We are going to go down the Ascot Gold Cup route with him this year and we’ll probably start him off in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan at the end of April. Things just didn’t work out for him last year, he didn’t get a clear run of it at all. Even though he won over a mile-and-a-quarter last year and went on to run very well in the Champion Stakes, he showed when winning the St Leger that he stays very well. You’d have to be hopeful that he can make up into a very good stayer.

Flag Of Honour (IRE)
• 4-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Hawala (IRE) (Warning (UK))

He had a very good season last year and he is in good form at home. We know that he stays well, but we might start him off over a mile-and-a-quarter and work our way up from there as we need to.

I Can Fly (GB)
•• 4-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Fastnet Rock (AUS) - Madonna Dell'orto (UK) (Montjeu (IRE))

We were delighted with what she did at Dundalk and how she has been at home since. The plan is to run her in the Dubai Turf at Meydan later this month. She has only ran further than a mile on one occasion so far, but she ran very well over a mile on soft ground on British Champions Day, so that would give you encouragement that she will get further. She’s out of a Montjeu mare, so you’d hope that she could be one to find some improvement from three to four.

Kew Gardens (IRE)
• 4-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Chelsea Rose (IRE) (Desert King (IRE))

We might have a look at aiming him towards the Coronation Cup at Epsom and he might well have a run over a mile-and-a-quarter before that. We know he stays well and he has plenty of options over longer trips if we think that’s what he wants to do.

Le Brivido (FR)
• 5-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Siyouni (FR) - La Bugatty (IRE) (Dr Fong (USA))

He’s been in Ballydoyle since before Christmas and everything has been going well with him so far. We are thinking about starting him off in the Gladness Stakes at Naas in mid-April. He shows enough pace at home to suggest he’ll be fine over six or seven furlongs, but he has run well over a mile too. We’ll be guided by what he shows at Naas as to which way to go with him in terms of trip.

Lost Treasure (IRE)
• 4-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: War Front (USA) - Wading (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE))

The plan is to run him in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan later this month. He’s a horse with loads of ability. He likes fast ground and to be produced late in his races, as he doesn’t do much when he hits the front.

Magic Wand (IRE)
• 4-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Prudenzia (IRE) (Dansili (UK))

We are aiming her at the Sheema Classic at Meydan at the end of the month. We think she gets a mile-and-a-half and likes good ground. She is a big mare and there might be some more improvement in her.

Magical (IRE)
• 4-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Halfway To Heaven (IRE) (Pivotal)

We are thinking of starting her off fairly early, with her first big target likely to be the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in May. We didn’t get a clear run with her last year. We thought she was made for the Oaks, but she had a little setback that ruled her out of it. Considering the preparation she had, she did really well at the backend of the season and we were delighted with her three runs when she stepped up to a mile-and-a-half. She is ground versatile.

Southern France (IRE)
• 4-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Alta Anna (FR) (Anabaa (USA))

He’s a grand, big horse. He was a big baby last year. He has done very well in physical terms over the winter and has a good chance of staying two miles or even further this year. We’ll go gentle with him and he might be one to start off over a mile-and-three-quarters.

Three Year Olds

Anthony Van Dyck (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Believe'n'succeed (AUS) (Exceed and Excel (AUS))

He is very well and I’m happy with how he did over the winter months. We aren’t sure if he’ll start off in the 2000 Guineas or a Derby trial just yet. Seven furlongs was sharp enough for him last season. Other than the maiden he won, he only had one run over a mile at the Breeders’ Cup, but he had a poor draw and it was the end of a long campaign, so I wouldn’t judge him on that run. We always thought he’d stay much further than a mile and even if he starts off in the Guineas, he is likely to end up over longer trips. He has run on soft ground, but I’d imagine good ground or better would be ideal for him.

Broome (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Australia (UK) - Sweepstake (IRE) (Acclamation (UK))

He’s a lovely laid-back horse that we have always thought would get further than a mile. He showed how versatile he can be when making the running when just getting touched off in the Group 1 in France, but I’d say he’ll be better getting a lead off something else with good pace in front of him. He’s by Australia and in general, we love everything about them. They have lovely minds, they are very clear winded and they look like middle-distance horses in the making. Broome fits all of that description and we are looking forward to him. We haven’t decided if he’ll go for the 2000 Guineas or a Derby trial yet.

Chablis (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Vadawina (IRE) (Unfuwain (USA))

We were delighted with what she did at Gowran Park on her debut. We were surprised that she was able to do what she did considering it was only over seven furlongs. She’s a full-sister to The Pentagon, so we always thought she was a middle-distance filly in the making. I’m not sure yet whether she will start off in a Guineas trial or an Oaks trial, but she will end up over longer trips soon enough I’d imagine.

Circus Maximus (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Duntle (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))

He’s in good form and is doing everything right at the minute. He’s another one that could start off in either a Guineas trial or Derby trial, but we haven’t made a decision yet. He seems to be ground versatile and should certainly stay further than a mile.

Constantinople (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - One Moment In Time (IRE) (Danehill (USA))

He’s a lovely, big horse that looks like a middle-distance horse in the making. He’s one that you could see training on as a four-year-old too. He’ll be one to start off in a Derby trial. He’s a good-moving horse and while he’s handling softer ground at home at the minute, I’d say he’ll always appreciate better ground.

Fairyland (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Kodiac (UK) - Queenofthefairies (UK) (Pivotal (UK))

Fairyland is in good form. We are happy with how she did over the winter and the work she has been doing of late. We haven’t decided if she’ll have a trial before it, but the plan is to run her in the 1000 Guineas. She has never run over further than six furlongs, but we’ve always thought she would get further, so we’ll give her a go at a mile in Guineas and see what happens. She has always been a very straightforward and uncomplicated filly.

Fleeting (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Zoffany (IRE) - Azafata (SPA) (Motivator (UK))

She’s a grand, straightforward filly that looks like she’ll get further than a mile. She might even end up getting further than a mile-and-a-quarter. We’ll make a decision in the next couple of weeks as to where she’ll start off.

Goddess (USA)
• 3-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Camelot (UK) - Cherry Hinton (UK) (Green Desert (USA))

Goddess had a setback after her last run that ruled her out for the rest of last season and she had another setback earlier this year. She’s back cantering now, but I don’t think she’ll be back in time for the Classics. We’ll go gently with her.

Hermosa (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Beauty Is Truth (IRE) (Pivotal (UK))

Hermosa is in good form and is doing everything right. We are looking at the 1000 Guineas for her at the minute and she’s a filly that we have always thought would stay further than a mile. I think she is ground versatile.

Japan (GB)
• 3-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Shastye (IRE) (Danehill (USA))

He is very well at home and is doing everything right. Wayne rode him the first day and while he only finished mid-division, Wayne really liked him. We sent him down to Listowel for a seven-furlong maiden after that and he did well to win as that would be plenty sharp for him. The penny only really dropped with him late on. He came out of that run at Listowel very well, so we decided to let him take his chance in the Beresford Stakes at Naas. Seamie rode him there and he won quite snugly. He looks one to start in the Derby trial and the Ballysax Stakes would be an option for him. He looks to be ground versatile and he’s one to look forward to.

Just Wonderful (USA)
• 3-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Dansili (UK) - Wading (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE))

We are very happy with her. She’s easy to get ready and is in a good place at the moment. We are looking at the 1000 Guineas for her and we always thought a mile wouldn’t be a problem for her. She’s very honest and we’re looking forward to seeing her out.

Magna Grecia (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Invincible Spirit (IRE) - Cabaret (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))

We are looking towards the 2000 Guineas with him. I’m not sure whether he’ll run in the trial for it yet. He’s a lovely, uncomplicated horse to train. He has done well physically over the winter and he looks good and powerful. It probably all happened a bit quick for him last season, as it was the end of September by the time he made his debut. We brought him over to Newmarket a fortnight after his maiden as we thought that if he was going to be a Group 1 horse, he needed another run for experience. He ran very well there and came out of it well enough to encourage us to go on to Doncaster a fortnight later. While he won there, he was still babyish enough and you’d hope he’d improve from that again. He’s by Invincible Spirit and while he got a mile well at Doncaster, you couldn’t be too bullish as to how far he’ll stay. He’s a horse you’d be excited about.

Mohawk (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Empowering (IRE) (Encosta de Lago (AUS))

He is in good form and is doing everything right at the minute. We’ll look to start him back in a Derby trial. He’s an honest, uncomplicated, solid horse that likes good ground. He was a bit below himself in the Dewhurst, but it was the end of the long season for him and maybe we shouldn’t have run him in it. I’d expect him to leave that form well behind him this season.

Mount Everest (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Six Perfections (FR) (Celtic Swing (UK))

We’re very happy with what he’s been doing this spring. He progressed with every run last season and he’s one we’re looking forward to. There’s a chance he might start off over a mile, but I’d expect him to be stepped up to a mile-and-a-quarter fairly soon. He’d have a chance of staying a mile-and-a-half.

Norway (IRE)
• 3-y-o; chestnut colt
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Love Me True (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))

He has done well in physical terms over the winter. He’s a fine, big horse with plenty of scope. We were happy with how he progressed last season. I wouldn’t judge him too harshly on his run at Saint-Cloud, as the ground was bad there and it was the end of a long year for him. We think he’s better than that run. I’d expect him to start off in a Derby trial and you’d hope that he’ll stay a mile-and-a-half.

Old Glory (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: Frankel (UK) - Belesta (UK) (Xaar (UK))

He looks one that will be stepped up in trip and will probably start off in a Derby trial. He made a lovely start when winning at Naas and we wanted to find out if he could be effective at seven furlongs at a higher level, so we ran him in two stakes races at that trip and he ran well without winning. I think he’ll progress over longer trips this season.

Pink Dogwood (IRE)
• 3-y-o; brown filly
• Breeding: Camelot (UK) - Question Times (UK) (Shamardal (USA))

She’s a filly we’ve always liked. She ran very well in the Prix Marcel Boussac when making the running. We think she stays well, which is why she ended up making the running that day, but I think she’ll be better when getting a lead. We don’t think she’ll have any problem stepping up in trip this year. She’s done well over the winter and is doing everything right at home. We aren’t sure where she’ll start off yet, but a mile-and-a-quarter and maybe further should suit her.

Secret Thoughts (USA)
• 3-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: War Front (USA) - Chicquita (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE))

She’s a grand filly. She had a setback last season which is why she didn’t run again after the Silver Flash, but she’s been good this spring and is on track. She’s a good traveller with plenty of ability and she might go to a Guineas trial.

Sergei Prokofiev (USA)
• 3-y-o; dk colt
• Breeding: Scat Daddy (USA) - Orchard Beach (CAN) (Tapit (USA))

He’s a very fast horse. Five furlongs suits him really well, but he might be ok at six furlongs this year. He is unusually quick, very naturally fast. You don’t have to try to make him fast, he just is. He’ll run in three-year-old sprints.

So Perfect (USA)
• 3-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Scat Daddy (USA) - Hopeoverexperience (USA) (Songandaprayer (USA))

She’s a big, powerful filly that has done very well over the winter. She has a lot of speed and you couldn’t be sure about how far she’ll stay. We haven’t decided which route to go down with her yet, but we might see can we stretch her to seven furlongs and maybe a mile. She has plenty of speed for sprinting either way.

Sydney Opera House (GB)
• 3-y-o; chestnut colt
• Breeding: Australia (UK) - Sitara (UK) (Salse (USA))

He ran a very good race in a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud in his last start of the year. He’s a lovely straightforward horse with a very good mind. He’s very uncomplicated and should have no problem getting middle distances. I’m very happy with him.

Ten Sovereigns (IRE)
• 3-y-o; bay colt
• Breeding: No Nay Never (USA) - Seeking Solace (UK) (Exceed and Excel (AUS))

We are very happy with him. He’s a lovely uncomplicated horse that is doing everything right. We have our eye on the 2000 Guineas with him and he hasn’t shown us anything to suggest he won’t stay a mile yet. He has the option of having a trial before the Guineas, but going straight there with him is an option too. Looking back on last season with him, he didn’t debut until late-August and he ended up packing his three starts into a five-week period which was a tough ask of him. He won his first two races through raw ability, so it was understandable that when he stepped up into a Group 1 that he looked a little bit green in the Middle Park. That race will really stand to him and he learned a lot from it. He’s a horse that you’d have to be very excited about.

Western Australia (IRE)
• 3-y-o; chestnut colt
• Breeding: Australia (UK) - What A Treasure (IRE) (Cadeaux Genereux (UK))

He’s a lovely uncomplicated horse. He’s a middle-distance horse. We started him off over a mile at Dundalk and he was a little bit unlucky not to win. We haven’t decided where he will go next, but I expect he will end up over a mile-and-a-quarter in the near future.

Zagitova (IRE)
• 3-y-o; chestnut filly
• Breeding: Galileo (IRE) - Penchant (UK) (Kyllachy (UK))

She is a big, uncomplicated filly that could start off in a Guineas trial. For much of last season we thought she was better than she was showing on the track and she might just have been a bit weak. We were particularly disappointed with her in the Fillies Mile and that might have just been a case of a long season telling on her. I think we’ll learn more about her this season and I’d be very hopeful she can show improvement.