Fame And Glory: the year 2008 for Ballydoyle
November 13th 2008 08:30
Aidan O’Brien equalled his previous best performance of training 23 Group One winners in a season when his Montjeu colt Fame And Glory took out the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (2000m) in France.
This race was the final Group One event for the 2008 season in Europe - and although there are some opportunities remaining in Hong Kong in December - O’Brien has no likely candidates or intentions of chasing the world record of 25 Group One wins in a season set by American trainer Bobby Frankel.
For most of this year it seemed almost certain that O’Brien would equal - if not surpass - the Frankel record. But towards the end of the season his assaults on the US Breeders’ Cup meeting - and venture to Australia - came undone. Dramatically so in Australia, but Henrythenavigator was the bravest of seconds to Raven’s Pass in the grand final of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
At one time William Hill had O’Brien quoted at 2/9 to win the 26 Group One (Grade One) races needed to break the record. As late as October the quote had lengthened to 8 /1 (and even 4/1 to equal the record). I don’t find as much pleasure in these cumulative and exotic bets as I do in simply finding a winner.
But in the mud of Saint-Cloud Fame And Glory announced himself as a Derby contender of 2009 when he raced on the speed and denied all challenges in the straight - defeating fellow Ballydoyle entrant Drumbeat into second - while the other Ballydoyle entrant Age Of Aquarius was not too far away in fourth placing.
Fame And Glory only began racing three weeks ago and was the unfancied Ballydoyle runner (with an apprentice rider up) in a Navan Maiden. So quickly has he developed that O’Brien fast-tracked him into a feature race against some seasoned and well regarded juveniles. The win in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud automatically has seen Coral quote him at 16/1 for the 2009 Derby - with only three colts ahead of him in the betting.
Two years ago O’Brien saddled Soldier Of Fortune in the same race - where he would finish second. It appears a strong indicator and launching pad for staying 2 year olds to finish a preparation - and promise great things for the future.
(photo: thesun.uk)
Johnny Murtagh chose the right horse on this occasion and brought up Group One winner number 21 for himself this season.
“Though he didn't win by that far, he was well on top by the end. He's a green horse. He'd never been away or done anything before he ran three weeks ago. He was a real baby then, but he learned a lot and he learned a lot again today.”
"It's great if they can do that in that kind of a race. The horse he followed all the way through today was a Group One winner the last day. So he's a horse to look forward to."
"He never went like a soft-ground horse. He's a very good-moving horse, but being a Montjeu he handled it. We gave him loads of time – never asked him anything. The plan was just to give him one run, but then he won the way he did." - Aidan O’Brien.
Here is a replay of the 2008 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. An exciting charge to the line. I wonder if a 2 year old this dour will have the acceleration for a Derby?:
This race was the final Group One event for the 2008 season in Europe - and although there are some opportunities remaining in Hong Kong in December - O’Brien has no likely candidates or intentions of chasing the world record of 25 Group One wins in a season set by American trainer Bobby Frankel.
For most of this year it seemed almost certain that O’Brien would equal - if not surpass - the Frankel record. But towards the end of the season his assaults on the US Breeders’ Cup meeting - and venture to Australia - came undone. Dramatically so in Australia, but Henrythenavigator was the bravest of seconds to Raven’s Pass in the grand final of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
At one time William Hill had O’Brien quoted at 2/9 to win the 26 Group One (Grade One) races needed to break the record. As late as October the quote had lengthened to 8 /1 (and even 4/1 to equal the record). I don’t find as much pleasure in these cumulative and exotic bets as I do in simply finding a winner.
But in the mud of Saint-Cloud Fame And Glory announced himself as a Derby contender of 2009 when he raced on the speed and denied all challenges in the straight - defeating fellow Ballydoyle entrant Drumbeat into second - while the other Ballydoyle entrant Age Of Aquarius was not too far away in fourth placing.
Fame And Glory only began racing three weeks ago and was the unfancied Ballydoyle runner (with an apprentice rider up) in a Navan Maiden. So quickly has he developed that O’Brien fast-tracked him into a feature race against some seasoned and well regarded juveniles. The win in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud automatically has seen Coral quote him at 16/1 for the 2009 Derby - with only three colts ahead of him in the betting.
Two years ago O’Brien saddled Soldier Of Fortune in the same race - where he would finish second. It appears a strong indicator and launching pad for staying 2 year olds to finish a preparation - and promise great things for the future.
Aidan O'Brien
(photo: thesun.uk)
Johnny Murtagh chose the right horse on this occasion and brought up Group One winner number 21 for himself this season.
“Though he didn't win by that far, he was well on top by the end. He's a green horse. He'd never been away or done anything before he ran three weeks ago. He was a real baby then, but he learned a lot and he learned a lot again today.”
"It's great if they can do that in that kind of a race. The horse he followed all the way through today was a Group One winner the last day. So he's a horse to look forward to."
"He never went like a soft-ground horse. He's a very good-moving horse, but being a Montjeu he handled it. We gave him loads of time – never asked him anything. The plan was just to give him one run, but then he won the way he did." - Aidan O’Brien.
Here is a replay of the 2008 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. An exciting charge to the line. I wonder if a 2 year old this dour will have the acceleration for a Derby?:
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