Latest news with #AidanO'Brien
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Aidan O'Brien may be forced to retire ‘superstar' millionaire horse as he's hit by crushing triple whammy of injuries
She still had so much more to give QUEEN VIC Aidan O'Brien may be forced to retire 'superstar' millionaire horse as he's hit by crushing triple whammy of injuries A 'SUPERSTAR' Aidan O'Brien horse may have run her final race - as the iconic trainer handles a crushing triple whammy of injuries. Lake Victoria, who has won more than £1million, has lost just once in her short career, when sixth in the 1,000 Guineas last May. 1 Awesome Aidan O'Brien filly Lake Victoria may be forced to retire after picking up an injury Credit: Getty She roared back to life with a simple victory in the Irish 1,000 later that month but hasn't been seen since. O'Brien said in an interview with Sun Racing's Matt Chapman on ITV that she could be 'retired altogether'. That cruel blow comes at the same time huge doubts have surfaced over Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin. O'Brien has never hid his admiration for his Marble Hill Stakes winner Albert Einstein, saying he is 'as fast a horse as we have ever seen'. But the two-year-old colt was forced to miss Royal Ascot when favourite for the Coventry. Charles Darwin kept the Ballydoyle flag flying with victory in the Norfolk and is currently 9-4 favourite for the Nunthorpe at York's Ebor Festival next month. But O'Brien said he too recently suffered a setback and may not be seen again until next season. O'Brien said: "Lake Victoria is not back in exercise. She's doing well physically but she's not back in work yet. "She might be left alone until next year or retired altogether. "Those are the decisions that will be made as the weeks go by. "Albert Einstein, we probably won't see again this year. "Because he was so special - from the time we first started working him he was always head and shoulders above everything else. "Everyone was aware of that and I know the way the lads think, usually, they won't want to take any chances whatsoever with him." While in a separate interview with Racing TV, O'Brien said of Charles Darwin: "He has to come back. He had a little setback as well. "We've had to ease off after hurting his foot. "He's a big horse and those type of horses, after having two or three runs, they're educated for next year. "If you come back and run them, fine, but if you don't, after those two or three runs, it's no problem really." O'Brien still has a squad of monsters to unleash over the coming weeks. Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel is all set for a blockbuster rematch with Calandagan in Saturday's King George at Ascot. Illinois is being prepared for next week's Goodwood Cup - where he could be joined by awesome Bahrain Trophy winner Scandinavia. Henri Matisse is set to take on Field Of Gold in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Whirl will clash with See The Fire in the Nassau at the same festival. While, looking ahead to York next month, breathtaking Coral-Eclipse winner Delacroix is set for round two with Ombudsman in the Juddmonte. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
True Love powers home for Railway Stakes demolition
Aidan O'Brien had saddled 14 previous winners of the Group Two contest, with Rock Of Gibraltar (2001), George Washington (2005) and last year's victor Henri Matisse (2024) among them, and it was significant his chief hope this time around was the sole filly in a field of four. Having filled the runner-up spot on her first two starts, True Love (1-2 favourite) was an impressive winner of the Queen Mary Stakes and followed up in fine style, travelling strongly under Ryan Moore before quickening five lengths clear of stable Puerto Rico with the minimum of fuss.
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Aidan O'Brien snaps up legendary late jockey's son who's the ‘double of his dad' for big ride
He'll be wearing some very famous silks RUNS IN THE FAMILY Aidan O'Brien snaps up legendary late jockey's son who's the 'double of his dad' for big ride Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AIDAN O'BRIEN has snapped up a legendary late jockey's son - who's 'the double of his dad' - for a big ride. Every jockey dreams of riding for the iconic Ballydoyle boss. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Paddy Smullen - who punters think looks 'the double' of his late dad Pat - has been giving his big racing break by Aidan O'Brien 3 Tragic Pat, seen here after winning the Derby on Harzand, died aged just 43 after bravely battling pancreatic cancer Credit: Rex 3 Paddy will race in the iconic black and white silks made so famous by his legendary dad Credit: PA And, on Tuesday, Paddy Smullen gets the chance to do just that in some very famous silks. Paddy, whose sole career victory came aboard Dermot Weld's Grappa Nonino at Dundalk in March, is the son of the late, great Pat Smullen. The nine-time Irish Champion Jockey died aged 43 in September 2020 having lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. Smullen Snr - who won the 2016 Derby on Harzand and 2003 2,000 Guineas on Refuse To Bend - was famed for his 'enduring partnership' with Weld. So it was fitting that his hugely promising jockey son's first winner would come on one of Weld's horses. He will be aiming to chalk one up for O'Brien on Tuesday, though, as he gets the leg up on Mont St Michel. The 10-11 favourite for a 1m6f race at Killarney runs in the iconic Kyprios black and white silks of Moyglare Stud. Smullen Snr wore the same when he rode Refuse To Bend to victory in the 2003 2,000 Guineas. Mont St Michel, a four-year-old colt, was close up behind the now-retired Kyprios on his last run and is co-owned by the Coolmore juggernaut of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Paddy, 17, spoke so well after his breakthrough win - and explained how much it meant to him to follow in his old's man footsteps. He said: "I wasn't thinking about winning but just getting as good a position as I can. "I came out in front and was delighted. It doesn't feel real at all. It all went way too fast, it's amazing. "There's lots of sentimental value as well. It's brilliant to follow in his footsteps. "Dermot and the whole family have been amazing to me. I'm happy to repay them for what they've done for me." One punter commented afterwards: "Got shivers when I saw DK Weld and P Smullen on the card… absolutely brilliant, best of luck in the future." While another wrote: "Best of luck Paddy, your father would be so proud of you." And it's clear O'Brien clearly sees some of that talent too, jocking him up on a potential stayer of the future. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Rhyl Journal
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Benvenuto Cellini makes winning mark at Killarney
His trainer Aidan O'Brien sent out subsequent Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck to land the mile contest in 2018 and Benvenuto Cellini was sent off the 2-5 favourite to add his name to the roll of honour. Partnered by Wayne Lordan, the impeccably-bred Frankel colt came home a two-and-three-quarter-length winner over stablemate Endorsement, with connections now eyeing a step up in calibre next month after improving from his initial start. Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: 'Benvenuto Cellini had a lovely run at the Curragh and coming here, this was going to be a lovely race for him. He was very babyish at the Curragh and again today where he jumped out and led, but Wayne said he was looking at the cars on the inside. 'It looked a decent maiden and he went away and won well so that is a decent sign. He improved from the Curragh to here and will improve again from here to his next run, which could be in the Futurity Stakes. Whatever he does you'd think will be a bonus as he'll make up into a smashing middle-distance horse for next year. He is one with a touch of class. 'You only have to look at some of the previous winners around here, and even at the horses who have finished in-behind, to see how good these maidens are and you need a stakes horse to come here. There aren't many who win here who aren't above average.'
North Wales Chronicle
14-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Benvenuto Cellini makes winning mark at Killarney
His trainer Aidan O'Brien sent out subsequent Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck to land the mile contest in 2018 and Benvenuto Cellini was sent off the 2-5 favourite to add his name to the roll of honour. Partnered by Wayne Lordan, the impeccably-bred Frankel colt came home a two-and-three-quarter-length winner over stablemate Endorsement, with connections now eyeing a step up in calibre next month after improving from his initial start. Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: 'Benvenuto Cellini had a lovely run at the Curragh and coming here, this was going to be a lovely race for him. He was very babyish at the Curragh and again today where he jumped out and led, but Wayne said he was looking at the cars on the inside. 'It looked a decent maiden and he went away and won well so that is a decent sign. He improved from the Curragh to here and will improve again from here to his next run, which could be in the Futurity Stakes. Whatever he does you'd think will be a bonus as he'll make up into a smashing middle-distance horse for next year. He is one with a touch of class. 'You only have to look at some of the previous winners around here, and even at the horses who have finished in-behind, to see how good these maidens are and you need a stakes horse to come here. There aren't many who win here who aren't above average.'
