When you have won the Betfred Derby nine times, you might start to run out of superlatives. But Aidan O’Brien believes the victory of Auguste Rodin at Epsom was arguably his most important as a trainer.
Cynics may point to the fact that O’Brien is bound to say that – his job, as well as training elite thoroughbreds, is to create the next great stallion.
However, there is no disputing the fact Auguste Rodin is not a run-of-the-mill Derby winner. His sire, Deep Impact, was arguably the greatest racehorse Japan has ever seen while his dam, Rhododendron, was a three-time Group One winner and second to Enable in the Oaks, making her among the best mares produced by champion sire Galileo.
O’Brien made no secret Auguste Rodin was not an ordinary colt, and in the spring was quoted as saying if he ever had a horse capable of winning the Triple Crown, this was it. Unfortunately the dream fell at the first hurdle in the 2000 Guineas when Auguste Rodin could only finish 12th of the 14 runners.
The trainer was happy to believe that run was too bad to be true and he proved that in no uncertain terms, running down outsider King Of Steel in the closing stages, with the pair well clear.
O’Brien said: “It’s been unusual with this horse from the very start, from when John (Magnier) and everyone decided to send a maiden mare all the way to Japan to be covered.
“Then when she was scanned in foal with a colt, all the way through there’s been hype and expectation.
“In all our measurements he was hitting the top all the way, that is very difficult for any horse but he did all the way, even before he came to Ballydoyle.
“I remember Ryan (Moore) coming to Ballydoyle in February when he was two and sitting on him and he said then that he was very special, so the expectation got even higher.
“He had a lovely run first time, won his next three and was then put away for the Guineas. We always thought the Guineas would be his toughest assignment so everything needed to fall right.”
Of course it did not. On soft ground Auguste Rodin never looked happy and a collision with stablemate Little Big Bear meant he never got involved. The fact Little Big Bear was able to bounce back from his own disappointment last week at Haydock will no doubt have given the team some hope, though.
“Two days before the Guineas everything started going the other way. His flight was cancelled so he had to fly the day before instead of the morning and circumstances just went against him, so we were happy to say it was a non-event,” said O’Brien
“That meant there was more pressure on him but we had to keep the faith. It was the acid test coming here today.
“We felt he was the most special horse we’ve ever had because he was out of one the best ever Galileo mares and out of the greatest ever Japanese stallion.
“I did feel some pressure because usually these days, they only go the one way and usually the more you want it to happen, the more they go the other way. We knew there were a lot of things out of our control that could go against him today, there were so many variables today especially that people were trying to control that could get out of control (the protests) – it was a worry for everyone involved.
“There was so much going on before the race but when this happens, I’m just so grateful.”
O’Brien, trainer of the likes of Galileo, Rock Of Gibraltar, Giant’s Causeway, Australia and Camelot, went on to say: “I’d say he’s the most important horse ever for us because he’s out of Rhododendron. She was one of the best Galileo mares and he’s out of the best Japanese stallion ever and we all know what is happening in Japan and we’re connecting that with the best of our breeding.
“This horse has everything. He has temperament, he has movement, he has a personality – he’s probably the most important horse we’ve ever had I’d say, because he brings the two continents together and it’s not fake ability, it’s pure ability. It’s so exciting, really.
“And how special was Rhododendron, we brought her here to the Oaks thinking she couldn’t get beat and then she ran into Enable, I mean could you believe you’d run into a horse like Enable!”
As usual in racing the question very quickly then turns to what next, but in this case it appears the Irish Derby at the Curragh appears logical.
“Obviously he’ll have the Curragh option but the lads will make the decision after seven to 10 days when we see how they are, Ryan will have an input, too,” said O’Brien.
“The great thing is he came out of Newmarket brilliant, so if he comes out of this as well they should be able to make a quick decision, the Curragh would be an obvious choice but we’ll see.
“I’d say he could travel, I’d say he will love that, he’s a pure 10-12 furlong horse. The Guineas would have bene fine had things fallen for him but it might be a blessing in disguise because we might be looking at the St Leger now, he’s free of all that now. There are no shackles now, the lads can do whatever they want.”
Supreme Ventures Racing urges review of racing rule after Caymanas Park abandonments
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), operators of Caymanas Park, have called for a review of Rule 44 (iii) enforced by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) following the cancellation of two races during the April 27 race meet at Caymanas Park.
In a press conference on Monday addressing the abandoned races, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed frustration with the rule, highlighting its potential impact on the racing industry.
"This rule, unique to Jamaica, imposes a strict five-minute limit after the published post time for races at Caymanas Park," Sharpe stated. "It fails to account for various factors that can delay race starts and penalizes all stakeholders when races are abandoned, affecting punters, jockeys, grooms, trainers, owners, promoters, and the government."
Last year, Caymanas Park contributed over $260 million in combined taxes to the government's coffers. Sharpe urged the JRC to engage SVREL in discussions on Rule 44, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to address the rule's impact.
"We were not consulted during the initial discussions on this rule, and now, with two races abandoned in a single race day, our concerns have materialized," Sharpe explained. "SVREL is open to collaborating with the JRC to review and refine this amended rule."
Representatives from the Grooms Association, Jockeys Association, and the United Racehorse Trainers Association echoed SVREL's concerns and supported the call for a review of Rule 44.
Sharpe concluded by appealing to regulators, stakeholders, and the public to support the growth of the horseracing industry in Jamaica. "Horseracing has immense potential in Jamaica and can become a significant foreign exchange earner. Realizing this potential requires collaboration among all stakeholders."
SVREL has been operating Caymanas Park since March 2017 after the government divested the property. With investments exceeding J$4 billion in product enhancements and innovations like the Mouttet Mile, which boasts the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean, SVREL remains committed to advancing the horseracing experience in Jamaica.
Supreme Ventures Racing regrets abandonment of two races at Caymanas Park on Saturday
Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has expressed regret and disappointment following the abandonment of two races during the Saturday, April 27 race day at Caymanas Park in St Catherine, Jamaica.
The decision to abandon these races, SVREL said, was made in compliance with regulations set forth by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), leading to the refund of all related pools according to SVREL's Pari-mutuel rules.
According to the statement released by SVREL late Saturday, the abandonment of races number one and six, respectively, was declared by the stewards of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) due to delays that exceeded the permitted time frame as stipulated by Rule 44(iii).
Specifically, in race number one, scheduled to commence at 12:00 pm, a saddling issue with horse number five and a mandatory veterinary check for horse number eight, which reared and fell after exiting the saddling barn, resulted in delays beyond the allowable limit.
Similarly, race number six, slated for 3:10 pm, was delayed due to a horse running loose, ultimately leading to its abandonment by the stewards of the JRC.
SVREL explained that the recent amendments to Rule 44(iii), which came into effect from April 1, 2024, mandate strict adherence to race start times with a maximum allowance of five minutes after the published post time. SVREL noted that Jamaica is unique in enforcing such a rule without prior consultation with the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica.
The enforcement of this rule has led to financial losses for industry stakeholders, including owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, punters, and the promoter and as such the disruption caused by the abandonment of these races understandably resulted in unrest among stakeholder groups.
Despite the challenges faced, the race meet resumed with race number seven at approximately 4:00 pm, SVREL noted.
SVREL has now issued a sincere apology to valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of races one and six by the JRC. SVREL also emphasized its readiness for open dialogue with the JRC and all impacted stakeholders to ensure the continued success and integrity of the horseracing industry.
As the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica, SVREL said it remains committed to addressing challenges collaboratively and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and service within the industry.
Light seeking to shine again at Sandown
Kitty’s Light is taking aim at his usual season finisher in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
The gelding has been a star for trainer Christian Williams, winning big handicap events like the Eider Chase and the Scottish Grand National and going close in the Charlie Hall and the Coral Trophy.
He has particularly good record in the bet365 Gold Cup on the final day of the season, missing out only due to interference when second in 2021 and coming home third in 2022.
Last year he was completed the set of podium finishes when winning by two and a half lengths under usual jockey Jack Tudor.
The two are well acquainted and teamed up for Kitty’s Light’s Grand National bid at Aintree earlier in the month, where he ran a valiant race to finish fifth behind four Grade-One winning Irish chasers.
Williams was incredibly proud of his stable star and is now hoping the gelding can shine again in the Sandown contest he has found to be lucrative in the past.
“It was wonderful, we trained him to win the race and we thought he could, but you couldn’t be disappointed with what he did,” Williams said of the National performance.
“We were thrilled, the horse tried his best and we were very, very proud of horse and jockey.
“He’s come out of it very well, if the race was run today even then he’d be running, he’s in good form.
“He loves it at Sandown with the big fences, his jumping has come on now but even as a five-year-old he nearly won the race.
“He was third the year after that, it really seems to suit him.
“I think he likes going right-handed, he hangs a little bit right at home and he seems to really enjoy it there.
“We’re taking our chance anyway, he seems well and we’ll hope for the best.”
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