Originally published in the Irish Field, www.irishfield.ie
by Dave Keena
Last Monday, Aidan O'Brien gave 25 members of the Irish and British racing press his annual tour of Ballydoyle. The stable had a coughing outbreak a few months ago, but O'Brien believes the horses are training up to a big summer. “We think they are getting there,” O'Brien said of his string's health. “We had a lot of coughing around the place and it happens to everyone, but they seem to be on the way back now. We are happy with how the horses are now. There were a few that needed antibiotics and the timing wasn't ideal as it was six or eight weeks before the Guineas when they started to cough. We had to keep them ticking over, but they are coming along, but we weren't leaning on them as much as we would have liked. The last week has been important and we learned about the health of the horses and they have started to come back. Some of them are not mature enough to go to Epsom and that is what trials are for and this week we have learned that some of them are not ready for it.” O'Brien went stall to stall with the media and explained where each horse would be aiming towards in the future and how they have been training.
Older Horses:
Afonso De Sousa
(c, 4, Henrythenavigator–Mien, by Nureyev)
Lifetime Record: 8-2-0-4. O-Magnier, Tabor, Smith
He is ready to run over mile/mile and a quarter. He was in last weekend, but he must have good or faster ground.
Chicquita (Ire)
(f, 4, Montjeu {Ire}–Prudenzia {Ire}, by Dansili)
Lifetime Record: 4-1-1-1. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
She is on a little break and we always had it in our minds that she would be an autumn filly. We will look at the Arc for her and she might have a run or two beforehand. It was easy to say that we'd sit back for a little while and at the minute we are concentrating on the 3-year-olds. She has settled in well, but she was trained by a very good trainer and if we can get back to the pitch that he had her, we'd be delighted.
Cristoforo Colombo
(c, 4, Henrythenavigator–La Traviata,by Johannesburg)
Lifetime Record: 11-2-1-1. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He was ready to run, but he was a little bit lame last week, so he has been swimming for a week. He is a good solid listed/Group 3 horse over six and seven furlongs.
Darwin
(c, 4, Big Brown–Cool Ghoul, by Silver Ghost)
Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-1. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He has plenty of speed and we might start him off at The Curragh in The Greenland S. He is a big horse and the [G1] Diamond Jubilee is a possible for him at Ascot.
El Salvador (Ire)
(c, 4, Galileo {Ire}–Balisada {GB}, by Kris {GB})
Lifetime Record: 13-4-3-3. O-Mrs. A M O'Brien
A mile and six plus suits him but he must have fast ground. He is a horse there for all those good staying races.
Eye of the Storm (Ire)
(c, 4, Galileo {Ire}–Mohican Princess {GB},
by Shirley Heights {GB})
Lifetime Record: 7-3-2-2. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He is on the way back and he might go Navan to work at the weekend. He has just the one eye (his left eye is gone), but he is another that is there for all those good staying races this season.
Festive Cheer (Fr)
(c, 4, Montjeu {Ire}–Bold Classic, by Pembroke)
Lifetime Record: 6-1-0-2. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He came back lame from Dubai and we thought he might make it back for the [G2] Hardwicke at Ascot, but he won't be fit enough, so we will look for options for him. A mile and a half is his trip.
Kingsbarns (Ire)
(c, 4, Galileo {Ire}–Beltisaal {Fr}, by Belmez)
Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-2. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
I started him back on bad ground at Leopardstown and I shouldn't have. He was a bit stiff after that and he will have a break now and he will come back in the autumn. He'll have the rest of the summer off and he'll come there in the autumn and he might have two runs before we consider the Arc for him.
Leading Light (Ire)
(c, 4, Montjeu {Ire}–Dance Parade, by Gone West)
Lifetime Record: 8-6-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He'll head on for the Saval Beg and then hopefully the Ascot Gold Cup. He seems to be in very good form and he likes fast ground.
Magician (Ire)
(c, 4, Galileo {Ire}–Absolutelyfabulous {Ire}, by Mozart {Ire})
Lifetime Record: 10-5-1-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He will go for the Tattersalls Gold Cup and after that he might go for the Prince of Wales S. He was supposed to go to work after racing and he was literally ready to work when he ran in the Mooresbridge. Joseph
had to put him to sleep and drop him on the line and he wasn't ready for anymore. He will come on a good bit for that and all those good races from a mile up are there for him.
Peace Burg (Fr)
(f, 4, Sageburg {Ire}–Peace Talk {Fr}, by Sadler's Wells)
Lifetime Record: 10-4-1-0. O-Mrs Paul Shanahan
She ran well in the Athasi S. and she will go to The Curragh for a group race over a mile on Guineas weekend. If that goes well, she might go to Ascot for one of the fillies' races. She has form on slow ground but she should be able to handle better ground as well.
Ruler of the World (Ire)
(c, 4, Galileo {Ire}–Love Me True, by Kingmambo)
Lifetime Record: 8-3-1-1. O-Al Shaqab Racing, Magnier, Tabor & Smith
We were taking a bit of a chance bringing him to Dubai, as he had never raced on that surface [Tapeta] before. The horses went to Dubai very healthy, but they might not have been as fit and as sharp as we'd have liked. He'll go back to Epsom for the Coronation and he did his first bit of work last weekend since he came back from Dubai and we were very happy with him.
Venus De Milo (Ire)
(f, 4, Duke of Marmalade {Ire}–Inchmahome {GB},
by Galileo {Ire})
Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
She is a mile-and-a-half-plus filly and she is as big as a bull still. She was in at York but we gave that a miss and the Yorkshire Oaks is an option for her. There is a chance that she might take on the colts later on this year, but we are finding it very hard to get fit.
Verrazano
(c, 4, More Than Ready–Enchanted Rock,
by Giant's Causeway)
Lifetime Record: 11-6-0-2. O-Mrs John Magnier
We would like to run him and he is a very exciting horse but the little bit of a worry going to Ascot is that we might not know a lot about him going there. You would like to get a run into before Ascot as you would like to know what to do with him over there–whether you drop him in or make the running. He is a great cruiser and he has half speeded here and he looks very exciting. He has dirt experience and if we got him to come through the summer, he could be a horse that could end up in the Breeders' Cup again. All the work was done with him before he came to us. He is very natural and very relaxed. It probably takes them a good bit of time to acclimatise when they come over and maybe in the Kentucky Derby he might not have gotten the trip.
3-Year-Olds
Adelaide (Ire)
(c, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Elletelle {Ire}, by Elnadim)
Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He ran in France at the weekend [second in the G2 Prix Hocquart] and he ran well and Ryan was very happy with him. He was still very babyish and if he doesn't go for one of the Derbys, he will go to Ascot.
Agena (Ire)
(c, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Dietrich, by Storm Cat)
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He won his maiden well last year, but he has had a bit of a setback. He is a bit off a run but he is back doing two canters and he could be a nice horse over a mile and a quarter plus.
Australia (GB)
(c, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Ouija Board {GB}, by Cape Cross {Ire})
Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1. O-T Ah King, Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He was nearly the first horse to show signs of the cough maybe seven weeks before the Guineas. It went through the whole place, but he got over it in a week or two. There is a chance that there is more come from him. I am not taking anything away from the winner, but his preparation for Newmarket wasn't ideal. We have been gentle on him since and the one thing that we have learned about racing is that it is far from an exact science. Every year throws a different set of circumstances from climate to horses coming and going–there are so many variables. We haven't done much with him since the Guineas. He is a very natural horse. He has a great mind, but you just have to very gentle with him. He settles very well. It would have been a lot better for him at Newmarket were the whole group to race together. Joseph knew that he had to move early as they were behind the other bunch and he ended up getting there early. He had to keep going and in the last half-furlong he spotted Kieren. We were delighted with that run and he is one of these horses that has always excited us and I remember when he started working last March/ April he was half speeding with horses that he shouldn't have been able to. He is bred to get the mile and a half well and that is what makes him exceptional as he has that pace. The splits in the Guineas were all 11 seconds and he was half speeding the whole way. One morning as a 2-year-old, before he ran, he clocked eleven seconds for four furlongs one after another. After that my phone started ringing as the lads had seen the times. I can't remember a 2-year-old to do that. When we started him off last year at The Curragh, he was happy to stay in the stalls and he came out six lengths behind everyone. The second day he was lazy and he just won and then he bolted in at Leopardstown. You would be surprised if he didn't stay. He has Galileo's action and his determination. Everyone sees what Galileo is doing every day of the week and what makes them different is their movement and Galileo's heads go out and down–they want to win and they keep trying. The lads do a great job on him. At Newmarket you were going to get a true run race and that was the main reason that he ran there. He doesn't worry too much about anything and his favourite pastime is yawning! Everything suggests that he should have no trouble getting a mile and a half and we have never had a horse like this.
Blue Hussar (Ire)
(c, 3, Montjeu {Ire}–Metaphor, by Woodman)
Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0. O-Derrick Smith
Ryan rode him at Lingfield and came back and said that he was a big baby. He liked him a lot and there should be more to come from him. He might not be ready for a Derby, but he could go to Ascot.
Bracelet (Ire)
(f, 3, Montjeu {Ire}–Cherry Hinton {GB},
by Green Desert)
Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
Ryan came in after Newmarket and said that she wanted to go a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half. She is bred to do that. It was a messy race and it didn't work for her. We will train her for the Oaks and she could well leave her Guineas behind her.
Carlo Buggatti (Ire)
(c, 3, Montjeu {Ire}–Marquesa, by Kingmambo)
Lifetime Record: 3-1-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He was disappointing at Chester and we shouldn't have put the blinkers on him. He wants fast ground and while he might not make a Derby, he could be on the team for Ascot.
Century (Ire)
(c, 3, Montjeu {Ire}–Mixed Blessing {GB}, by Lujain)
Lifetime Record: 3-1-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
Ryan rode him at Chester and he liked him, but he said that he was still a baby. I'd say he will skip Epsom and head onto Ascot. He wants better ground than he had a Chester.
Cougar Mountain (Ire)
(c, 3, Fastnet Rock {Aus}–Descant, by Nureyev)
Lifetime Record: 0-0-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He is a very nice horse that has yet to run. He is getting ready to run and he has had a few little setbacks. I am thinking of the Jersey S. for him and hopefully we can start him off somewhere in the next couple of weeks in a maiden. I'd say he'll appreciate fast ground.
Dance With Another (Ire)
(f, 3, Danehill Dancer {Ire}–Quarter Moon {Ire},
by Sadler's Wells)
Lifetime Record: 7-1-0-2. O-Mrs Henry & Mrs Magnier
She has won a maiden and we will try and get some black type for her.
Dazzling (Ire)
(f, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Secret Garden {Ire}, by Danehill)
Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-2. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
She is a nice filly and she ran at Naas on Wednesday and depending on how that goes, she could go to Epsom for the Oaks. She won well at Navan and she has come on for that.
Geoffrey Chaucer
(c, 3, Montjeu {Ire}–Helsinki {GB}, by Machiavellian)
Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
The Derrinstown was very unsatisfactory. They hacked and then it was bumper cars after that. We were very happy with our horse before the race and things didn't go right for him on the day. It was very rough in the straight and after a slow race, Joseph didn't want to accelerate too quick and then he got no run. He has come out of the race fine and he is a possible to travel to Epsom.
Giovanni Boldini
(c, 3, War Front–Dancing Trieste, by Old Trieste)
Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-1. O-Mangier, Tabor & Smith
He ran okay in France, but the ground was too soft for him. He wants fast and you'll see a better horse on nice ground. He could go to Ascot.
Great White Eagle
(c, 3, Elusive Quality–Gender Dance, by Miesque's Son)
Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He ran a nice race the other day at The Curragh and he could make up into an Irish Guineas horse. He will come on for that and he would like a bit of nice ground.
Granddukeoftuscany (Ire)
(c, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Crystal Valkyrie {Ire}, by Danehill)
Lifetime Record: 0-0-0-0.
He is a nice maiden that was going to run at Leopardstown only for the ground to turn soft. He will be ready to run shortly.
Guerre
(c, 3, War Front–Golden Toast, by Hennessy)
Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He is a listed winner over five at Naas and he might go for the Greenland S. at The Curragh. He looked fast enough at Naas and he could make into a useful sprinter.
Indian Maharaja (Ire)
(c, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Again {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire})
Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He was rolling around in the bad ground at Leopardstown. We have taken our time with him as he pulled muscles in his back that day. He is back in light exercise. He could be a horse for The Voltageur but he could be more than that however he might not be ready in time.
Johann Strauss (GB)
(c, 3, High Chaparral {Ire}–Inchmina {GB},
by Cape Cross {Ire})
Lifetime Record: 6-1-2-1. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He is still a maiden and he is a difficult horse to get right and he is not there yet, but hopefully we'll get him sorted some time.
Juniper Tree (Ire)
(c, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Alexander Goldrun {Ire},
by Gold Away {Ire})
Lifetime Record: 2-0-0-1. O-Mrs John Magnier
He is a grand horse that fractured a cannon bone last year and he is just back now and we will get him going in a mile-and-a-quarter maiden somewhere on nice ground.
Kingfisher (Ire)
(c, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Mystical Lady {Ire}, by Halling)
Lifetime Record: 6-2-0-1. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
We were delighted with him at Chester. He was just ready to start off. He has always been a very straightforward horse and there is every chance that he will go to Epsom.
Just Gorgeous (Ire)
(f, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Halfway to Heaven {Ire}, by Pivotal {GB})
Lifetime Record: 1-0-0-0. O-Mangier, Tabor & Smith
We think that she is a very nice filly.
Marvellous (Ire)
(f, 3, Galileo {Ire}–You'resothrilling, by Storm Cat)
Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
She is a smart filly and we had considered York for her, but the ground was too soft. She ran very well in her trial and she might go for an Irish Guineas and then we'll see after that.
Mekong River (Ire)
(c, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Simply Perfect {GB}, by Danehill)
Lifetime Record: 6-4-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He had the blinkers on at Lingfield, but they fell down over his eyes and he couldn't see. Coming down the hill he took a few false steps and Joseph had to steer him around the bends and he wasn't sure what was wrong with him until they pulled up. He is clearly better than that.
Michaelmas
(c, 3, Elusive Quality–Christmas Kid, by Lemon Drop Kid)
Lifetime Record: 4-1-2-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He ran well enough in the Tetrarch and he should be competitive in those group races over a seven and a mile.
Orchestra (Ire)
(c, 3, Galileo {Ire{–Bywayofthestars {GB}, by Danehill)
Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He was just ready to start in Chester and anyone that saw him would have seen that he had a bit of a tummy on him. He had two runs last year and he won his second start. I wasn't sure going to Chester that he'd get a mile and a half. I told Ryan to take his time with him, so you would have to be happy with him. Ryan said in an ideal world that he didn't want the gap when it came as he got a bit tired. There is a big chance that he will go to Epsom.
Palace (Ire)
(f, 3, Fastnet Rock {Aus}–Lady Icarus {GB},
by Rainbow Quest)
Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
She is a smart filly. When we were tacking her up at Leopardstown she started to show signs of coming into season. All she wanted to do was lie back against the stalls and she raced very lethargic. She is a nice filly and she could go to Epsom for the Oaks, but she could run in the Irish Guineas beforehand.
Red Rocks Point (Ire)
(c, 3, Fastnet Rock {Aus}–My Emma {GB}, by Marju {Ire})
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He won his maiden at Dundalk and he should get a mile and a quarter and he is nearly ready to start off.
Ruby Tuesday (Ire)
(f, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Jude {GB}, by Darshaan {GB})
Lifetime Record: 2-0-0-0. O-Mrs Magnier & Mrs Henry
She ran a good race at Leopardstown, but she disappointed after that at Dundalk. We think she wants soft ground and she doesn't need to be ridden too handy. She is still a maiden and will hopefully get black type.
Sir John Hawkins
(c, 3, Henrythenavigator–Peeping Fawn, by Danehill)
Lifetime Record: 5-1-0-2. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He is a listed/Group seven-furlong horse, but at the moment, he is doing a lot of his work with Verrazano.
Sparrow (Ire)
(f, 3, Oasis Dream {GB}–All Too Beautiful {Ire},
by Sadler's Wells)
Lifetime Record: 4-1-1-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
She won her maiden well at The Curragh and we'll try and get some black type for her now.
Table Rock (Ire)
(f, 3, Fastnet Rock {Aus}–Small Sacrifice {Ire},
by Sadler's Wels)
Lifetime Record: 3-0-3-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He is ready to start off and he is in a few nice races, but we might run him in a maiden. He will be well suited by a mile and a quarter.
Tapestry (Ire)
(f, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Rumplestiltskin {Ire}, by Danehill)
Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0. O-Mangier, Tabor, Smith & Flaxman Stables
I was dallying her along gently and everything was going along grand before Newmarket. I wanted to give her two bits of work and then I worked her with Bracelet. She probably dropped a bit too much weight after that and heading to Newmarket, she was light and lacked a bit of strength. She travelled well until Joseph asked her to quicken she emptied out on him. He pulled her up after that and there was no point in giving her a hard race. She is a tall, angular filly and hopefully she will come back fairly quickly and she looks more an Oaks than a Guineas filly.
Terrific (Ire)
(f, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Shadow Song {Ire}, by Pennekamp)
Lifetime Record: 5-2-0-1. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
She is a little bit of a strange lady in that when she gets amongst horses, she gets a bit shy. She was a bit slowly away at Chester and I'd say she'll leave that run behind her and she remains a possible for Epsom or we might keep her for the The Curragh.
Tigris River (Ire)
(c, 3, Montjeu {Ire}–Hula Angel, by Woodman)
Lifetime Record: 2-0-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He is a nice horse that should be able to win his maiden.
Thomas Wedgwood (Ire)
(c, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Mythical Echo, by Stravinsky)
Lifetime Record: 1-0-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He is a nice maiden that should be able to win one on good ground over a mile and a quarter.
War Command
(c, 3, War Front–Wandering Star, by Red Ransom)
Lifetime Record: 6-4-0-1. O-Magnier, Tabor, Smith & Joseph Allen
Before the Guineas at Newmarket, Australia was working better of the two. War Command is a lazy worker at home and even before he won the Coventry we had debated about putting blinkers on him. We will prepare him for the Irish Guineas and there is a chance that he could wear blinkers there and there is a chance that they might wake him up.
Wonderfully (Ire)
(f, 3, Galileo {Ire}–Massarra {GB}, by Danehill)
Lifetime Record: 7-2-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
She ran in the French Guineas. She had a bad draw and couldn't get in but she ran respectable and she needs to step up in trip.
Vivat Rex (Ire)
(c, 3, Fastnet Rock {Aus}–Strawberry Roan {Ire},
by Sadler's Wells)
Lifetime Record: 0-0-0-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
He is lazy, but he is ready to start off in a maiden over a mile and a quarter.
2-Year-Olds
The Great War
(c, 2, War Front–Guide, by Pulpit)
Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-Mangier, Tabor, Smith & Joseph Allen
He has won his starts and he will go back to The Curragh for the Marble Hill. The thing with him is to keep him on fast ground and after The Curragh he will hopefully head on to Ascot.
John F Kennedy (Ire)
(c, 2, Galileo {Ire}–Love Me True, by Kingmambo)
Lifetime Record: 0-0-0-0. O-Michael Tabor
He is a smart horse and he does everything real well. He was away at The Curragh for his first canter and he will have one more and then he'll be ready to rock. He could be a Chesham horse and we think he is a nice horse.
Gleneagles (Ire)
(c, 2, Galileo {Ire}–You'resothrilling, by Storm Cat)
Lifetime Record: 0-0-0-0.
He is a lovely horse and he was away as well. He does everything right and is ready to go.
Sherlock Holmes (Ire)
(c, 2, Galileo {Ire}–Golden Ballet, by Moscow Ballet)
Lifetime Record: 0-0-0-0.
He is a little bit behind but he is a lovely horse and he is doing everything right at home.
Fields of Athenry (Ire)
(c, 2, Galileo {Ire}–Love Me True, by Kingmambo)
Lifetime Record: 0-0-0-0.
He is a lovely horse and is a brother to Ruler Of The World and Duke Of Marmalade and he is doing everything nice.
My Happy Price (Ire)
(c, 2, Rip Van Winkle {Ire}–Made to Dream {GB},
by Oasis Dream {GB})
Lifetime Record: 0-0-0-0.
He has been away as well and he looks a nice colt and isn't too far off a run.
Unnamed Colt
(c, 2, War Front–Balding Gold Ring, by During)
Lifetime Record: 0-0-0-0.
I have been very happy with him and he looks a nice colt. He is half speeding away, but he hasn't been stepped into full work yet.
I Am Beautiful (Ire)
(f, 2, Rip Van Winkle {Ire}–Monevassia,
by Mr. Prospector)
Lifetime Record: 0-0-0-0.
She is a lovely filly and has been away twice. She is ready to roll now and she looks smart.
Outstanding (Ire)
(f, 2, Galileo {Ire}–Absolutelyfabulous {Ire},
by Mozart {Ire})
Lifetime Record: 0-0-0-0.
She is a sister to Magician and she is doing everything right. She is about a month off a run.
Sea of Blue (Ire)
(f, 2, Fastnet Rock {Aus}–Song of the Sea {GB},
by Bering {GB})
Lifetime Record: 1-0-0-0. O-Mrs Magnier
She ran the other day, but she came back a bit sore so she'll have a little break now.
Simply a Star
(f, 2, Giant's Causeway–Cherry Hinton {GB},
by Green Desert)
Lifetime Record: 1-0-0-0. O-Mangier & Tabor
She looks a nice filly. Her work has been good and we have been very happy with her.
Timbuktu (Ire)
(f, 2, Fastnet Rock {Aus}–Flashing Green {GB},
by Green Desert)
Lifetime Record: 2-0-1-0. O-Magnier, Tabor & Smith
She was just beaten at Naas. She might head on to Ascot.
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