Trainer Aidan O’Brien has record in sight
Aidan O’Brien could have three runners in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in his bid to establish a world record for training the most Group One winners in a calendar year.
Saturday’s 1600m-race for two-year-olds is the final Group One race in Britain for 2017 after which O’Brien will turn his attention further afield.
O’Brien equalled the late Bobby Frankel’s mark of 25 with Hydrangea at Ascot last weekend.
He is likely to have Saxon Warrior, The Pentagon and Seahenge at Doncaster.
The trainer will also assemble a strong team for the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar the following weekend including Churchill who is set to run in the Classic on dirt.
Churchill finished third in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes to Persuasive at Ascot on Saturday after meeting trouble in running.
“There is a big chance Churchill will go for the Classic. He seems to have come out of Ascot very well,” O’Brien said.
Highland Reel won the Breeders’ Cup Turf last year and looks like a major player once more after a good run in the Champion Stakes.
“We just felt Highland Reel needed the run last week as it had been a long time since he ran. He has come out of the race well,” O’Brien said.
Rhododendron and Roly Poly have a choice of engagements, and O’Brien also looks set to be well represented in the two-year-old races in America.
“Happily had a little bit of a blip before her last run (Fillies’ Mile), but she seems to be fine now,” he said.
“September had a nice run in the Fillies’ Mile. She ran a very good race, but she didn’t get a clear run. She is by Deep Impact and I think they handle quicker ground.
O’Brien also has a team in Melbourne for the major races in the next two weeks.