Irish Champion Option For Saxon

By Daithi Harvey

Aidan O'Brien plans to wait for another ten days before making a decision on whether Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) will tackle the G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown Sept. 15. The colt has not won since impressing in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May and was one of a number of horses that got affected by a virus in Ballydoyle this summer. He had his first start since that setback when fourth in the G1 Juddmonte International over ten furlongs at York last week. “He was very sick after [the Eclipse at] Sandown. We had it in our mind if we got him back he'd go to York and then come back to Leopardstown and then we might go back to a mile [for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes] at Ascot,” said O'Brien. “The thing is now whether we give him another go at a mile and a quarter, because he was very sick and you'd have to say that he could come on a good bit from it. We'll decide in the next 10 days,” he added.

O'Brien is also undecided what route to take up with 'TDN Rising Star' Goddess (Galileo {Ire}) following that filly's below par effort in the G3 Silver Flash S. at Leopardstown last month. The previously impressive 10-length maiden winner is entered in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at The Curragh Sept. 16 but O'Brien is playing it cautious with her so far. “She was a little bit under the weather after the last day and we won't rush her back. I was looking at her on Sunday morning and was thinking 'would we run her anymore this year or not'. We won't be in any panic as she's had the three runs,” he said.