
Lake Victoria back in business for Aidan O'Brien with impressive Guineas performance
The 10-11 favourite was unbeaten at two when taking a trio of Group One events over distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile, including at the Breeders' Cup.
She returned at a mile in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, but connections said her preparation had been hurried and she was eventually sixth of 10 runners on the Rowley Mile.
That run clearly brought her along perfectly for the Irish equivalent, and after racing happily on the rail she accelerated away neatly when asked at the two-furlong pole and was a comfortable two-and-a-quarter-length winner from Adrian Murray's 50-1 shot California Dreamer.
'All the people around her have done an incredible job with her. She was only ready to start going to Newmarket. We were going to come here first time, but the way it worked she went there,' said O'Brien.
'We thought she ran an incredible race [at Newmarket] in the circumstances. Ryan looked after her and was over the moon with her.
'Everything went well [from there] and her work was out of this world. We never had a filly that could win a Group One over six, seven and a mile before as a two-year-old.
'She has all the speed in the world, she travels and does everything. Ryan gave her an incredible ride. He had her in a perfect position and when he had to make a gap he was able to make a gap. When he asked her to quicken the last furlong she really did for him.'
It is likely the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot now awaits the filly.
'The plan was to come here and go to the Coronation, that's always been the plan for her. Obviously the lads will decide that, but I'd imagine if everything is well and everyone is happy that's where she will go.'
Los Angeles showed class and courage to come out on top in a red-hot renewal of the Tattersalls Gold Cup for O'Brien and Moore.
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White Birch also lined up in a classy field for the Group One contest, but as Los Angeles threw down his challenge it was Owen Burrows' Anmaat who loomed up beside him.
But former Irish Derby winner Los Angeles duly put his head down again to prevail by half a length.
The O'Brien/Moore pairing struck for a third time as Albert Einstein again showed a touch of genius when rising to the task in the GAIN Marble Hill Stakes.
When he hit the front, the victory was never in doubt as he prevailed by three-quarters of a length from Power Blue to gain the status of 6-4 favourite for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot with Coral.
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The 42
2 hours ago
- The 42
'They said it was Ireland v Bulls. We said, 'Right, let's not disappoint them''
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The 42
2 hours ago
- The 42
Leinster wrap up dominant URC season with fitting final performance
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The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Keep the abuse coming, we don't mind' – Leo Cullen's pointed message to Leinster critics after URC triumph
LEO CULLEN insists the haters can keep abusing Leinster because it is water off a duck's back. But Jack Conan and Dan Sheehan admitted that breaking their trophy duck is a big deal. 2 Leo Cullen's side ended a four-year trophy drought at Croke Park 2 It was the first trophy Dan Sheehan has won with the province The Blues were crowned URC champions on Saturday night by It was And the pressure was on this season following the shock Euro last-four defeat by Northampton. That put the focus on Cullen's side that boasts the bulk of the Ireland team as well as two of the world's best imports in All Black Read More On Irish Sport Bulls coach Jake White insisted his pre-match comment about effectively facing Ireland — eight of the starting XV on Saturday were also Lions — was not a criticism. Captain Conan said: 'They came out with a lot of stuff in the media during the week about it's Ireland versus the Bulls. 'So we said, 'Right, let's not disappoint them, let's be at our best, let's give Irish rugby' and I thought we did that. 'I don't know if I had too many collisions out there, but I was absolutely loving seeing the lads whack people and forcing them back.' Most read in Rugby Union Leinster set the tone by scoring three unanswered tries in the first half and producing a brilliant 18-phase stop to deny Bulls a try before the break. The display will also have silenced the critics who questioned whether Leinster, who have an embarrassment of playing riches, lacked the character to win. Inside Leinster's boozy celebrations as stars dance on team bus while leaving Croke Park as URC champs Cullen, 47, has been head coach for a decade and led the Blues to Champions Cup glory and four URC titles before their recent struggles. And he never had any doubt that they were on the brink of success. The former lock said: 'We've lost in different ways, at the death, after extra-time, you've just got to keep putting ourselves in that position and keep pushing the boundaries of what we do. 'You get criticism when you lose, it still doesn't take away what we actually . . . personally speaking, what I love doing. 'Pressure is great, it's part and parcel of sport. It's a great way to feel alive, we're lucky to be involved. Keep the abuse coming, we don't mind — thick skins.' RELIEF AMONG PLAYERS But Conan, 32, acknowledged that lifting silverware again with Leinster was important for the present and future. He said: 'We spoke a lot in the last few weeks . . . so many lads here have never won anything for Leinster. 'They've won a load of stuff for Ireland, they've won Grand Slams, Triple Crowns and things, but have never won anything for Leinster.' Dan Sheehan is one of those as the 2021 season was his rookie year when he was largely a bit-part player. The hooker, 26, said: 'This is the first one that I feel properly a part of. It was definitely on my mind over the last couple of years. 'You work so hard during the season and you're spending the majority of your time with this group of players. It gives us a boost, I think it gets the monkey off the back and it is incredibly rewarding.'