Tag Archive for: 2000 Guineas

Chaldean in good shape after Guineas heroics

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Qipco 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean has taken his exertions at Newmarket on Saturday in his stride, according to connections.

The son of Frankel powered through rain-softened ground to land the mile Classic on what was, in effect, his three-year-old debut.

Having unshipped Frankie Dettori coming out of the stalls and running loose on his intended prep in the Greenham at Newbury, the frustration turned to delight for the 52-year-old Italian, who was riding in his 29th and final renewal of the race.

Having kept things simple, always close to the pace, Chaldean was sent for home early and never looked like he would be challenged once runner-up Hi Royal had started to empty.

It was a fourth success in the race for Dettori and a second in four years for trainer Andrew Balding, who had struck with Kameko in 2020.

Twelve years after the mighty Frankel had carried the famous Juddmonte green, pink and white colours to success in the race, his son took the laurels by a length and three-quarters.

European racing manager for the operation, Barry Mahon, said any celebrations were muted.

“The head’s not too bad. We had to go racing on Sunday, so the celebrations couldn’t be too extravagant, but hopefully there will be time to celebrate at some point,” he said. “Hopefully we’re not finished yet. We have a few more chances along the way.”

Chaldean will remain over a mile and head to the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot for his next start, with Paddy Power making him the 4-5 favourite to triumph in the Group One showpiece on June 20.

“He’s taken it well, he’s good,” added Mahon. “Andrew was happy with him when I spoke to him yesterday. He said he was quite tired on Sunday, but he said yesterday morning he was in good form again.

“The ground was very soft, yet on the Friday meeting, it was good to firm. They watered the ground in case the showers missed.

“I stayed the far side of the town and on Friday night, I promise you, there was a monsoon.

“The next morning I was talking to (trainer) David Simcock, who was on the racecourse side of town and he said they had rain, but nothing extravagant – a couple of millimetres. It is such a funny area.

“But he handled the ground, although it wouldn’t be his ideal conditions.”

Hills eyeing Irish Guineas for Newmarket fourth Galeron

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Fourth in the Guineas, first in the Derby is the well-worn adage.

But while the Qipco 2000 Guineas has often been among the best trials for the Epsom Classic, Galeron, this year’s Newmarket fourth, is not likely to make the line-up, according to trainer Charlie Hills.

Having won the Goffs Million at the Curragh on his final start last season, Galeron finished a close-up third to Dear My Friend in a Newcastle all-weather Listed contest last month on his seasonal debut.

Despite that, the son of Camacho was sent off at 150-1 for Guineas glory.

Yet Hills had argued the bookmakers had overlooked him and his pre-race confidence proved spot-on as Galeron stayed on nicely in soft ground under Kieran Shoemark to finish five lengths behind Chaldean.

However, he would need to be supplemented for Epsom, so any thoughts of lining up in the mile-and-a-half colts’ Classic have been shelved for the time being.

Hills said: “It was a fabulous result. He did really well and I’m delighted with him, really.

“He just got a little bit further back than what we’d hoped – he got squashed coming out of the stalls. It was a bit rough at the start, but he came through them really well.

“Kieran said he didn’t really seem to be handling the ground too well, so you have to mark him up a bit on that.

“I don’t think he will get a Derby trip, but we certainly have to have a look at the Irish Guineas and keep a close eye on that. We’ll see how he is at the end of the week and then make a plan.

“He seems to have come out of the race really well.”

It was a great weekend for the Lambourn yard, with Mutasaabeq landing the Group Two bet365 Mile and Saxon King taking a decent handicap over the same Newmarket Rowley Mile.

And at Goodwood on Friday, Cicero’s Gift underlined his potential as a smart prospect when powering home to take another eight-furlong contest, a three-year-old conditions race, maintaining his unbeaten record.

The Muhaarar colt had previously won a novice on debut at Newbury in October and followed up on the all-weather at Wolverhampton in March.

Cicero’s Gift (right) May have booked his Royal Ascot ticket
Cicero’s Gift (right) May have booked his Royal Ascot ticket (Tim Goode/PA)

He stormed to a five-and-a-half-length success, trouncing five previous winners and although he holds a Dante entry, Cicero’s Gift is more likely to head straight to Royal Ascot.

Hills said: “It was exciting. I was really pleased with the way he lengthened away there.

“He is in the Dante, although my gut feeling is that he will go straight to the St James’s Palace Stakes. The gut feeling is to wait, but we have to see how he is. I think Ascot will really suit him.

“He is owned by Rosehill Racing, a syndicate that we set up. We have five horses who were bought relatively cheaply, about the 30-grand mark, and he looks an exciting horse for the future.”

Royal Scotsman camp looking forward to another clash with Chaldean

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Royal Scotsman will be aimed at a rematch with Chaldean in the St James’s Palace Stakes following his third-place finish in the Qipco 2000 Guineas.

Trained by Paul and Oliver Cole, the son of Gleneagles went into the first Classic of the year having run Andrew Balding’s colt to a head in the Dewhurst in the autumn and was an 11-1 shot to turn the tables on Chaldean on his reappearance.

However, having been lit up by a bump early into the one-mile showpiece, Royal Scotsman’s petrol gauge began to flash red inside the final furlong at the same time Frankie Detorri and Chaldean were hitting top gear, with the Group Two scorer having to settle for the bronze medal in the hands of Jim Crowley.

Just over two lengths separated the pair at the finish and Paul Cole is confident he will be able to get Royal Scotsman to settle better throughout his races before the duo lock horns again over a mile at Royal Ascot.

He said: “Being his first run back wasn’t a problem. He got a little nudge at the start and that got him on his toes a little bit and he did too much in the first half of the race.

“If I can get him to settle right, which I think I can do as he is not a silly horse, he will finish better.

“We will almost certainly have a go at the winner again at Royal Ascot in the St James’s Palace Stakes as timing wise it is about right.

“I don’t think the ground was the issue. He simply got a bit keen today and that didn’t help him finish.

“Last year when everything went well, another few yards against Chaldean in the Dewhurst and we would have won.

“He has got the better of us twice now but hopefully we can get the better of him at Royal Ascot as that is where it counts.”

Royal lives up to Hi hopes with Classic second

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Connections of outsider Qipco 2000 Guineas runner-up Hi Royal were not surprised their colt outran his huge odds of 125-1 at Newmarket.

The Kevin Ryan-trained three-year-old only gave best to Chaldean inside the final furlong, despite veering across the track at one point, beaten a length and three-quarters at the line.

Royal Ascot may now beckon for the son of Kodiac, who was having just his fourth career start.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Jaber Abdullah, said: “That was no surprise as Kevin Ryan told us in the paddock that he thought the horse could run a big race and that he thought he would handle the ground.

“Kevin wants to get him home and see where we go next but he could be a Royal Ascot type.”

Oliver Cole, joint-trainer of third-placed Royal Scotsman along with his father Paul, is keen to take on the winner again at Royal Ascot.

“He’s run a massive race to be third, but he was a bit too keen in the early stages. He had no problem with the ground as he goes on anything,” said Cole.

“It was always the idea to come straight here and hopefully he can improve from this and we can have another crack at the winner at Royal Ascot.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin, the 13-8 favourite, disappointed and came home 12th under Ryan Moore after failing to land a blow.

Stablemate Little Big Bear also disappointed and trailed home last under Wayne Lordan.

O’Brien said: “It was a little bit of a non-event. It was a non-event for Ryan’s horse and then Wayne’s horse got badly bumped and just got lit up. The whole thing was a bit of a non-event really. The travelling over is what it is.”

Lordan added of his mount: “He jumped smart and felt like he wanted to show me his pace. We didn’t go mad for the first two furlongs, something caught my heel and it wasn’t ideal after I’d gone two furlongs or so.

“It was a little bit of everything, so we’ll see what comes out of it.”

Kieran Shoemark, rider of Galeron who finished fourth as a 150-1 shot, said: “He’s run a massive race and he was well overpriced. I was wheel spinning early on, so he’s run well despite the ground. He’s a good horse.”

While Daniel Muscutt, rider of the fifth-placed Dubai Mile, confirmed he stayed the trip very strongly and that the Derby now beckons for him.

He said: “It was a great run. I hit the gates nicely and travelled comfortably. The ground has helped, he hit a bit of a flat spot but saw out his race really well and hit the line great.”

James Doyle, rider of the sixth-placed Noble Style, said: “He ran super and I’m delighted with him. It probably just stretched him a bit in this ground but he travelled tremendously. I got a lovely position in the race just behind Frankie (Dettori, on Chaldean), but his stamina just didn’t last out.”

David Egan felt Mill Reef winner Sakheer would be better off dropping back in trip after finishing seventh.

“I was really pleased with the way he ran. There was a lot of hustle and bustle in front of me but I took him back and he settled into a lovely rhythm,” said Egan.

“The race unfolded on the other side, which I wasn’t really anticipating. Chaldean was a great winner and he was drawn low, but I was expecting it to unfold on my side early. When I asked him to quicken he seemed to handle the ground, but maybe a mile on soft ground is stretching him too far.”

Fabulous Frankie begins farewell tour with Guineas glory

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No one does Hollywood scripts quite like Frankie Dettori, but even by his standards winning aboard Chaldean on his final ride in the Qipco 2000 Guineas was something out of a fairytale.

It is almost five months since the 52-year-old announced that 2023 would be the year he will bring the curtain down on the most glittering of riding careers that has spanned nearly four decades.

Dettori has won just about every big race going in every corner of the globe during that time, but Newmarket has for so long been the place he calls home, so if this is to be his final Classic success, it was a fitting place to do it.

“I’m not dreaming am I? I’m feeling everything,” he said afterwards.

“It is just so surreal. I feel like I’m dreaming. It is a bit dark, like your dreams are. Emotionally, it is my last one and to win it is amazing. Now it is sinking in and the tears are coming.”

As the winner of last season’s Dewhurst Stakes, the Andrew Balding-trained Chaldean had an obvious chance of giving the popular Italian a fourth 2000 Guineas success.

Admittedly his season got off to an inauspicious start, with Dettori unceremoniously dumped on the Newbury turf not long after the gates opened in the Greenham Stakes a fortnight ago, but as he so often has over the years, Dettori got it right on the day that mattered most.

Frankie Dettori and Chaldean return to the Newmarket winner's enclosure
Frankie Dettori and Chaldean return to the Newmarket winner’s enclosure (Nigel French/PA)

He added: “After what happened at Newbury I thought ‘at least stay on this time’!

“Andrew always had faith in the horse and he’s done nothing wrong. He doesn’t overdo himself in the morning and the rain didn’t bother me. The only thing I was bothered about was that perhaps I didn’t have anything to race with.”

Never too far off the pace, Chaldean made light of the testing conditions and once he had seen off the sustained challenge of 125-1 shot Hi Royal, it was clear Dettori’s mount had the race in safe keeping.

The grey Suffolk skies ensured most in attendance got a good soaking, but that did not stop the majority hotfooting it to the winner’s enclosure to give the rider a deserved rapturous reception, after which he treated them to his trademark flying dismount.

Dettori might have been there, done it and got the t-shirt, but he was left fighting back the tears in the immediate aftermath.

He said: “Let me savour the moment. My emotions are all over the place. I don’t know whether I want to cry or laugh.

“I thought I had a chance, but when I crossed that line my emotions were all over the place.

“I’m happy and I want to cry. My son is here and my wife is watching at home. Of course it’s my last one and winning it makes it sweeter.

“I couldn’t have written a better story myself. It’s very special and I’m looking forward to watching it again and reliving the moment.”

Chaldean presents Dettori with final 2000 Guineas strike

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Frankie Dettori won the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Chaldean on what was his final ride in the Classic.

The Italian is retiring at the end of the current season and knew he had one more shot at glory in the historic race, to add to his three previous victories in the mile contest.

Never far from the pace, Chaldean (7-2) took a lead off Hi Royal who was just about still in front when he veered across the track, which enabled Dettori to forge into the lead.

The Andrew Balding-trained winner had to dig deep, but he eventually came home a length-and-three-quarter winner from 125-1 shot Hi Royal. Royal Scotsman (11-1) was third with 150-1 chance Galeron in fourth.

Auguste Rodin was sent off the 13-8 favourite but was never travelling for Ryan Moore and trailed home well beaten.

With rain falling throughout the day, the ground had turned soft and the likes of Little Big Bear and Sakheer, who had to prove their stamina, drifted markedly in the betting.

On the other hand Chaldean was well supported, from 5-1 to 7-2 and Dettori always looked comfortable.

Hi Royal briefly gave him something to think about and really stretched the field, with all bar the winner and Royal Scotsman treading water.

Chaldean strode out purposefully, though, to give Balding a second 2000 Guineas success after Kameko in 2020. The famous Juddmonte colours were last carried to glory by the brilliant Frankel, Chaldean’s sire, in 2011.

Dettori said: “I was in a fight with Oisin (Murphy on Hi Royal) and once I got rid of him, I thought ‘I’m sure something is going to come’, but I saw plenty of daylight.

“I can’t believe it’s happened really. My last (2000) Guineas, to win it in front of my home crowd, amazing.

“Winning Classics is difficult. It’s my last season and to cap it off with a Classic is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Balding said: “I was a bit worried about the mile in this ground, but he’s just done a wonderful job, Frankie. We’re making the most of our unconventional prep race (unseated in the Greenham), we might set a trend there!

Andrew Balding was winning his second 2000 Guineas
Andrew Balding was winning his second 2000 Guineas (David Davies/PA)

“It was a concern beforehand, but it did him some good because he got out there. I’m just thrilled, what a brilliant ride.

“What can’t you say about Frankie? Since I’ve been involved in the sport he’s been an omnipresent superstar of the sport and what a fitting way to ride his last 2000 Guineas.

“He always looked to be travelling comfortably, I was just a bit worried about getting past Oisin (Murphy, on Hi Royal) because he can get extra lengths out of horse but once we collared him, I was fairly confident.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for a long while, it’s a mixture of relief and elation. It will probably sink in in a bit, it’s a big deal.”

Of next steps for the colt, Balding added: “Let’s enjoy today but Ascot (St James’s Palace Stakes) would seem the obvious target.

Chaldean passes the post
Chaldean passes the post (David Davies/PA)

“He is in the Irish 2,000 Guineas but he has had a hard race today and giving him as much time between races would be sensible.

“If we did go up in trip, I would imagine it wouldn’t be until York (Juddmonte International).”

Chaldean is owned by Juddmonte, the racing and breeding operation founded by the late Prince Khalid Abdullah.

Prince Saud, Abdullah’s son, said of the victory: “I have to say we have seen the best of the horse today against his own capabilities and traits and I’m very happy to win it.

“I just want to thank and congratulate Frankie.

“I would also like to congratulate the trainer as he has done a great job. I want to thank everyone in Juddmonte as they have done a splendid job.”

Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear give O’Brien very strong Guineas hand

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Aidan O’Brien acknowledges it is “possible” the mile of the Qipco 2000 Guineas will be too short for hot favourite Auguste Rodin.

O’Brien is also represented in the opening Classic of the season by Little Big Bear, who is second-favourite, as the Ballydoyle maestro bids to add to his record 10 victories in the Newmarket showpiece.

The 53-year-old last won the prize in 2019 with Magna Grecia and has never had more than four successive years without a victory in the race since he first struck with King Of Kings in 1998.

Auguste Rodin is considered a Triple Crown contender, with the Derby and the St Leger on the radar. He won his previous three starts, including the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster in October.

Like Little Big Bear, winner of the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, he will make his seasonal bow.

However, there are trip questions for both horses, with Little Big Bear untested beyond six and a half furlongs and Ryan Moore’s mount, Auguste Rodin, potentially finding a mile too sharp.

“It is possible that the mile will be too short for him,” admitted O’Brien. “We don’t know really. We are happy with what he has done and what he is doing at the moment.

“He is a horse who has loads of class. We are going to learn a lot about him and he’s going to learn a lot. We are looking forward to him.

“He’s a horse who has always shown plenty of class in all his work from very early on. Ryan sat on him in February or March as a two-year-old and he loved him then. He was showing loads then and it is usually a good sign.

Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien bid for more glory at Newmarket on Saturday
Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien bid for more glory at Newmarket on Saturday (Nigel French/PA)

“I suppose we had to see what his work was like and if anyone wasn’t happy at any step along the road, then he might not have run in the Guineas. But everything is good.”

O’Brien has no qualms about the pair taking each other on, as it is a tried and tested formula for Coolmore-owned horses in the Classic.

He is also not ruling out the possibility of a repeat of 2002, where Rock Of Gibraltar upset stablemate and favourite Hawk Wing when the pair finished first and second.

“We are lucky. So far, they have come through the winter well and they have taken their training well in the spring up until now,” O’Brien added.

“It was always a possibility it (a clash) was going to happen. They have two different profiles. Obviously they will probably go their separate ways after this race.

“I suppose Auguste Rodin will probably move up in trip, definitely.

Little Big Bear tries a mile for the first time in the colts' Classic
Little Big Bear tries a mile for the first time in the colts’ Classic (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“I would imagine it will tell us a lot about Little Big Bear, whether he is going to stay a mile or go back. It is going to be very interesting and informative for us.”

Given the ground was very soft on his last run, any rain would appear to enhance Auguste Rodin’s chance. Yet O’Brien feels the son of Deep Impact will appreciate quicker conditions than when trouncing subsequent Epsom Blue Riband Trial winner Epictetus by three and a half lengths on Town Moor.

“We were a little bit surprised by Auguste Rodin at Doncaster,” he conceded. “We were a little bit worried about running him in that type of ground – the ground got soft that day and he is a beautiful-moving horse and definitely not a soft-ground horse. That’s why we were delighted.”

Asked if he could split Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear if they turned up on top form, O’Brien said: “Auguste Rodin is going to get the trip – we’ve seen that before. Little Big Bear hasn’t run near this distance at all and obviously two furlongs is a long way in a horse race. He’s only run over six (furlongs).

“If you put them together, you don’t know. Both of them are doing most of their work over seven furlongs and it looks lovely for both.

“Little Big Bear is getting home and he seems to be covering the last furlong well. We haven’t gone any further and obviously the other horse gallops through the line, which we expect him to be doing anyway. It is going to be a very interesting race, really.

“Little Big Bear is by No Nay Never, who is a big influence for speed. Joseph (O’Brien) won with a No Nay Never over a mile and a quarter in the week in a Group Two, so that’s been very encouraging to see at least that can happen.

“Until you see it, you are never sure. He’s out of a mare that it could happen, but he is by No Nay Never and he is a quick horse.”

Moore, who is such a major cog in the Ballydoyle operation, seeks a third win, following success aboard the O’Brien-trained Gleneagles in 2015 and Churchill in 2017.

He sticks with Auguste Rodin, although concedes it would be no surprise to see Little Big Bear (Wayne Lordan) take the laurels.

“We have two very good horses in here, but two very different horses, and they will be going down very different paths after this race,” Moore reported on his Betfair blog.

“I’ll start with Little Big Bear. After what he did in the Phoenix Stakes at two – that was quite a stunning win – he deserves to run in this Classic rather than in Ireland or France, as Newmarket will tell us a lot more about him and where he will be heading afterwards.

“He clearly has a lot of pace but I personally think he will stay a mile, and that makes him a very dangerous rival to all, including my mount Auguste Rodin.

“We haven’t seen Little Big Bear since that Curragh win in August but he has been going well.

“There are no stamina concerns with Auguste Rodin obviously, and he will probably be heading up in trip after this, and he is a horse we have always loved from day one as a juvenile and he fulfilled those expectations with his Doncaster win.

“He is an exciting prospect for the season, but hopefully for the here and now, too. But would it surprise me if Little Big Bear beat him? Not really.

“They are the two best horses in here and the others have to reach, and maybe surpass, their current level, and hopefully they are drawn in the right place in 12 and 13.”

Newmarket watering ahead of Guineas meeting

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Officials at Newmarket have begun watering to maintain the ground ahead of the three-day Qipco Guineas meeting which begins on Friday.

The changing forecast and a dry morning on the Rowley Mile prompted clerk of the course Michael Prosser to rethink plans as he bids to provide perfect conditions ahead of the first two Classics of the season.

The going is currently described as good to firm, good in places.

Michael Prosser has started watering the Rowley Mile course
Michael Prosser has started watering the Rowley Mile course (Tim Goode/PA)

“We have just lightly watered the final eight furlongs, which is the quickest part of the course,” Prosser said at noon on Thursday.

“The forecast has changed, basically. At this time yesterday, we were forecast rain first thing in the morning and obviously into the afternoon, so that forecast now advises those showers will be coming later.

“There is a 50 per cent chance of a shower, but it is a much lower percentage, and then the chance of a heavier shower is basically from midday through to 5pm, with between one millimetre and 10mm of rain.

“We have put down 4mm to maintain the position. The final eight furlongs is all but done. The plan was to get it done by midday and then we’ll cut the course later, ready for three days of racing.”

The 2000 Guineas is the feature on an eight-race Saturday card, and while the forecast is unsettled, Prosser is hoping it may remain dry during racing.

Prosser added: “Even the Saturday forecast has changed and the volumes don’t look as significant, although there is a more organised band of rain coming through mid-morning Saturday through to lunchtime.

“What we’re being told this morning is that there might be a dry interlude during racing, which will be really helpful if that is how it unfolded.

“That piece of rain will total 4mm on Saturday if it comes through. Then there is a chance of a shower later in the day on Saturday.

“On Sunday, our meteorologists, Weatherquest, are still advising that there is a much lower percentage chance of a lighter shower on Sunday. It could well stay dry.”

He added: “The Qipco 2000 Guineas looks a cracking race and it is a really good card to be honest, with 116 decs.

“You have to be pleased with that. Let’s hope the weather is kind and they all stay in, that’s the main thing.”

Auguste Rodin tops 14 seeking 2000 Guineas honours

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Ante-post favourite Auguste Rodin heads 14 colts declared for Saturday’s Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien rates the Deep Impact colt as a possible Triple Crown contender at this stage, with Auguste Rodin – the mount of Ryan Moore – having won three of his four starts to date, including the Group One Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last October.

O’Brien also fields Phoenix Stakes victor Little Big Bear (Wayne Lordan), winner of four of his five runs and last year’s top-rated European juvenile with a mark of 124.

Chaldean will be ridden by Frankie Dettori (
Chaldean will be ridden by Frankie Dettori (Mike Egerton/PA)

Chaldean heads the home defence with Andrew Balding’s charge bidding to give Frankie Dettori victory in the mile Classic in what is the rider’s final season before retirement.

The duo won the Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs on the Rowley Mile last term, but Dettori was unshipped coming out of the stalls on his return in last month’s Greenham at Newbury.

Royal Scotsman was beaten just a head by Chaldean in the Dewhurst and he reopposes for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Sakheer is a leading contender for Roger Varian after winning the Mill Reef last term.

Varian also fields Greenham runner up Charyn, with Charlie Appleby another who is double-handed with narrow Breeders’ Cup runner-up Silver Knott and Noble Style, who has been off the track since winning the Gimcrack last season.

Indestructible won the Craven Stakes at Newmarket
Indestructible won the Craven Stakes at Newmarket (Tim Goode/PA)

Karl Burke runs Craven Stakes victor Indestructible along with Futurity third Holloway Boy, with outsider Flight Plan making it a triple challenge from the Middleham handler.

Charlie Johnston saddles his first Classic runner in his sole name as Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Dubai Mile takes his chance, while Kevin Ryan’s longshot Hi Royal completes a strong Yorkshire challenge.

Charlie Hills’ Galeron completes the line up, with only the O’Brien-trained Cairo not declared.

O’Brien dreaming of Triple Crown bid with Auguste Rodin

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Aidan O’Brien is chasing the Holy Grail of the Triple Crown with Auguste Rodin but insists Saturday’s first leg, the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, will be the toughest.

The hot favourite for the Classic has won all three starts since finishing runner-up on his debut at the Curragh last June and looks sure to improve for stepping up in trip, which is why O’Brien feels he could be a contender for the Derby and St Leger as well.

He was last seen scorching to a three-and-a-half-length success in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster in October and has headed the market for the Guineas and Derby ever since.

The master of Ballydoyle, who has won the 2000 Guineas on a record 10 occasions, is optimistic that the Coolmore team have the horse to emulate Nijinsky, the last Triple Crown winner in 1970.

In 2012, he oversaw Camelot’s brilliant campaign, as he trotted up over a mile in the Guineas, then powered to glory over a mile-and-a-half in the Derby, before falling three-quarters of a length short when denied by Enke in the final leg, over a mile and three-quarters, in the St Leger at Doncaster.

“Obviously if we had a horse who could do it this year, he was going to be the horse,” said O’Brien in a Great British Racing press conference.

“We didn’t like to not give him the chance to do it, if he was good enough, really.

“The Guineas is a great race and there is only one Guineas. It is a great race to start him in and we will find out a lot about him.

“If it went well, then obviously the plan was always to go on to the Derby next and if that went well, let’s see what the lads want to do.”

A son of Deep Impact, who won seven Japanese Group One races and is from the family of Nashwan, Auguste Rodin is out of triple Group One winner Rhododendron, a daughter of O’Brien’s champion three-year-old Galileo. Stamina is therefore unlikely to be an issue.

With that in mind, O’Brien feels the first leg of the Triple Crown is likely to be the hardest to win.

He added: “Obviously the Triple Crown is a very hard thing to do, but sometime it would be great to do it. He is by Deep Impact, who stayed well, he’s out of a Galileo mare and we are looking forward to it.

“It is a difficult type of horse to find, because they have to have a lot of class and they have to have pace enough to run in the Guineas.

“It is really class that those horses have to have. It’s pure class and class gives them stamina and gives them speed. We just thought that, at the moment, he fits into that bracket really well.”

Asked what such an achievement would mean, O’Brien responded: “It would be incredible, really. It’s a very difficult thing to do, but if you don’t try, you’re not there, it definitely won’t happen.

“We don’t ever expect those kind things to happen – I dream about them – but if we have that type of horse, we don’t like to take that chance away from them.”

Ryan Moore (left) will get the choice of rides for Aidan O'Brien (right) in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas
Ryan Moore (left) will get the choice of rides for Aidan O’Brien (right) in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas (Brian Lawless/PA)

He added: “Obviously the Guineas would definitely be the toughest leg to win. It is shorter and it is the shortest that he would be ready to get.”

O’Brien, who last won the Guineas in 2019 with Magna Grecia, seems confident he can overcome the first objective in his Classic season.

“Obviously we think he could, because of the class he’s shown in his work – and always did show – and he’s showing it now in the spring,” he said.

“He is well and has gone through all his work and seems to be in very good form so far, so it’s definitely possible.”

O’Brien will also be represented by Little Big Bear, who won his next four starts as a juvenile after finishing runner-up first time out.

Little Big Bear goes into the unknown over a mile
Little Big Bear goes into the unknown over a mile (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Those victories included the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot over five furlongs and the Phoenix Stakes over six furlongs at the Curragh.

Though currently second favourite for the Guineas, getting the mile trip on his first try beyond six-and-a-half furlongs is no foregone conclusion.

“He is by No Nay Never which is a big influence on speed,” admitted O’Brien.

“There is stamina in his dam’s side. He is a big, powerful horse and we saw what he can do over five and six furlongs.

“He’s a horse who won over five furlongs at Ascot and we know what kind of pace and precociousness that takes, and he had it.

“Then he got six and I suppose were were wondering would he get six. He got six and they way he got it, he looked like he would get seven standing on his ear, so obviously we are going to learn a lot.

“He hasn’t run in a long time. His work over that distance has been nice and he’s doing everything right, really.”

He added: “He is a very laid-back horse and he doesn’t use any petrol really – only what he needs to use. His temperament is a big advantage.”

Ryan Moore will get the choice of the two Ballydoyle runners, with outsider Cairo unlikely to take part.

“Really, we leave Ryan to make up his own mind as late as possible and we never put him under any pressure,” said O’Brien.

“I suppose when he decides what he is going to ride, then the rest falls into place.

“At the moment we think it will be Auguste Rodin.”