Stable Tour: Aidan O'Brien's Hope for 2019

Aidan O'Brien is simply a phenomenon in the world of racing. A record-breaking National Hunt trainer in the initial stages of his career, his abundant talents didn't go unnoticed and he was appointed as the trainer in the historic Ballydoyle complex in 1996 at the age of just 26. He quickly established himself as a dominant force in Irish racing and since then has broken every record worth breaking and won every race worth winning in Europe and beyond. Most recently, he broke the world record for the number of Group/Grade 1 winners trained in a calendar year with 28 such victories in 2017.

As always, O'Brien has an array of stars under his care for the new season, headlined by a strong team of older horses as well as an exciting clutch of Classic prospects. Here, the trainer outlines his thoughts for his stable's leading lights for the 2019 season.

AMEDEO MODIGLIANI (Ire) 'TDN Rising Star'

4 b c Galileo (Ire) – Gooseberry Fool (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire})

Made it second-time lucky when winning a maiden at the Galway Festival in impressive style in 2017, but failed to make it to the track in 2018.

“He's a horse we were really looking forward to last season, but a sequence of small setbacks kept him off the track all year. We are thinking of running him in the Devoy S. 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.”

ANTHONY VAN DYCK (Ire)

3 b c Galileo (Ire) – Believe'N'Succeed (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus})

Rated 118, he won the Tyros S. at Leopardstown and the Futurity S. at the Curragh prior to finishing in the frame in both the National S. and the Dewhurst S. at Newmarket.

“He is very well and I'm happy with how he did over the winter. 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 b c Australia(GB) – Sweepstake (Ire) (Accalamtion {GB})

Rated 112, he won a maiden at the Galway Festival and ran well in defeat in Group company thereafter, most notably finishing a neck second in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

“He's a lovely laidback 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.”

CAPRI (Ire)

5 gr h Galileo (Ire) – Dialafara (Fr) (Anabaa)

Rated 120, he won the Irish Derby and the St Leger in 2017 and failed to win in an injury-interrupted campaign last season.

“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.”

CHABLIS (Ire) 'TDN Rising Star'

3 b f Galileo (Ire) – Vadawina (Ire) (Unfuwain)

A full-sister to The Pentagon (Ire), she made a winning debut in a seven-furlong maiden at Gowran Park in October.

“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 b c Galileo (Ire) – Duntle (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire})

Rated 110, he won a maiden at Gowran Park in September prior to running well in Group company, most notably when a close fourth in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.

“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 b c Galileo (Ire) – One Moment In Time (Ire) (Danehill)

Rated 97, he made it third time lucky when winning a maiden at Thurles by 10 lengths in October.

“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 4-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) 'TDN Rising Star'

3 b f Kodiac (GB) – Queenofthefairies (GB) (Pivotal {GB})

Rated 112, she won four of her five starts last season including the G1 Cheveley Park S.

“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.”

FLAG OF HONOUR (Ire)

4 b c Galileo (Ire) – Hawala (Ire) (Warning {GB})

Rated 113, he won three Group races last season, mostly notably the Irish St Leger.

“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.”

FLEETING (Ire)

3 b f Zoffany (Ire) – Azafata (Spa) (Motivator {GB})

Rated 106, she won two of her four starts including the G2 May Hill S. at Doncaster in September.

“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 (Ire) 'TDN Rising Star'

3 b f Camelot (GB)&log=">Camelot (GB) – Cherry Hinton (Ire) (Green Desert)

Rated 94, she won a maiden at Leopardstown by 10 lengths in July, but disappointed on her only other start of the season a fortnight later.

“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 b f Galileo (Ire) – Beauty Is Truth (Ire) (Pivotal {GB})

Rated 110, she won two of her seven starts last season and finished in the frame in three Group 1 races.

“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.”

I CAN FLY (Ire)

4 b f Fastnet Rock (Aus) – Madonna Dell'Orto (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire})

Rated 116, she won the Boomerang S. on Irish Champions Weekend prior to finishing second to Roaring Lion in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. She made a winning return to action a conditions race at Dundalk in March.

“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 run 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.”

JAPAN (Ire)

3 b c Galileo (Ire) – Shastye (GB) (Medicean {GB})

Rated 108, he won a maiden at Listowel and followed up in the G2 Beresford S.

“He is very well at home and is doing everything right. Wayne [Lordan] 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 [Heffernan] 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 (Ire) 'TDN Rising Star'

3 b f Dansili (GB) – Wading (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire})

Rated 107, she won three of her seven starts last season including the G2 Rockfel S.

“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.”

KEW GARDENS (Ire)

4 b c Galileo (Ire) – Chelsea Rose (Ire) (Desert King {Ire})

Rated 120, he won the Grand Prix de Paris and the St Leger last year.

“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 b h Siyouni (Fr) – La Bugatty (Ire) (Dr Fong)

Rated 120, he won the G3 Jersey S. at Royal Ascot for Andre Fabre in 2017, but only got to the track once last season and was switched to O'Brien at the back end of last year.

“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 b c War Front&log=">War Front – Wading (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire})

Rated 112, he won three of his eight starts last season as well as finishing a close fifth in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp.

“The plan is to run him in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Mar. 30. 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.”

MAGICAL (Ire)

4 b f Galileo (Ire) – Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB})

Rated 115, she won the British Champions Fillies & Mares S. prior to finishing second to Enable in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs.

“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 back end 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.”

MAGIC WAND (Ire)

4 b f Galileo (Ire) – Prudenzia (Ire) (Dansili {GB})

Rated 113, she won the Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot and finished second in two Group 1 races last year. She was also runner-up in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. at Gulfstream Park in January.

“We are aiming her at the Sheema Classic at Meydan. 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.”

MAGNA GRECIA (Ire)

3 b c Invincible Spirit (Ire) – Cabaret (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})

Rated 113, he has won two of his three starts including the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy.

“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 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 b c Galileo (Ire) – Empowering (Ire) (Encosta De Lago {Aus})

Rated 109, he won the G2 Royal Lodge S. at Newmarket prior to disappointing in the Dewhurst S.

“He is in good form and is doing everything right. 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 b c Galileo (Ire) – Six Perfections (Fr) (Celtic Swing {GB})

Rated 107, he won a maiden at the Curragh prior to finishing a short-head second in the Beresford S.

“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 ch c Galileo (Ire) – Love Me True (Kingmambo)

Rated 104, he won a maiden at Naas and the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket.

“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) 'TDN Rising Star'

3 b c Frankel (GB) – Belesta (GB) (Xaar {GB})

Rated 103, he won a maiden at Naas and went on to finish in the frame in two stakes races.

“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 br f Camelot (GB)&log=">Camelot (GB) – Question Times (GB) (Shamardal)

Rated 104, she won a maiden at Gowran Park prior to finish a close fifth in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp.

“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

3 b f War Front&log=">War Front – Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire})

Rated 95, she won a maiden at Naas prior to finishing third in the G3 Silver Flash S. in July.

“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 'TDN Rising Star'

3 bb c Scat Daddy – Orchard Beach (Can) (Tapit)

Rated 112, he won three of his eight starts last season including the G3 Cornwallis S. in October.

“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 3-year-old sprints.”

SO PERFECT 'TDN Rising Star'

3 bb f Scat Daddy – Hopeoverexperience (Songanadaprayer)

Rated 110, she won the G3 Grangecon S. at the Curragh in July and went on to finish second in two Group 1 races.

“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.”

SOUTHERN FRANCE (Ire)

4 b c Galileo (Ire) – Alta Anna (Fr) (Anabaa)

Rated 107, he won a Listed race at Naas in May and went on to finish third in the St Leger at Doncaster.

“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.”

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE (GB)

3 ch c Australia (GB) – Sitara (GB) (Salse)

Rated 106, he won a maiden at the Curragh in September and was just touched off by a neck in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud the following month.

“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) 'TDN Rising Star'

3 b c No Nay Never – Seeking Solace (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus})

Rated 120, he is unbeaten in three starts including the G1 Middle Park S.

“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 ch c Australia (GB) – What A Treasure (Ire) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB})

Rated 110, he won a maiden at Gowran Park in September and went on to finish a close third in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy. He was second in a Listed race at Dundalk on his seasonal reappearance.

“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 ch f Galileo (Ire) – Penchant (GB) (Kyllachy {GB})

Rated 104, she won a maiden at Cork and went on to run well without winning in group company.

“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.”