Like father, like son

Like father, like son

Coolmore is a massive breeding operation. But it seems that high class equine genes are not the only ones passed down the bloodline.

Joseph O’Brien was just eighteen when he became the youngest jockey to win a Breeders Cup race and now, at the age of 26, he has repeated the feat as a trainer.

It was a largely disappointing weekend for the European raiders with Iridessa, trained by the young O’Brien, the only winner from this side of the Atlantic.

It was a week of mixed fortunes for Joseph as his horse, Master Of Reality, was a head away from winning the trainer his second Melbourne Cup. It was the third time jockey Frankie Dettori had finished runner up in the race but more disappointment was to follow.

Following an objection from fourth placed Il Paradiso (trained by Aiden O’Brien) Master Of Reality was deemed to have interfered and was placed fourth with third and fourth moved up a place.

The jockey on Il Paradiso was Wayne Lordan. He was also the winning jockey of Iridessa. We are all connected.

The amended result was definitely celebrated by one punter. He had bet ten Aussie dollars on a first four bet and thanks to the intervention of the stewards he is now A$800,000 better off. That is about four hundred thousand of our earth pounds. That would pay for more than a few tinnies.

Hopefully just a blip

I was really looking forward to the return of La Bague Au Roi at Wetherby last week but she failed to fire at all. The going may have played a part but she was far from looking like the star novice of last season. Hopefully this is just a blip.

Delta Work was another who was put in his place by his elders but Gordon Elliott didn’t seem too upset. He said the horse would need the run and he made a few mistakes but looks forward to the next day.

Lostintranslation made his senior debut at Carlisle winning, eased down, in the manner of the odds-on favourite he was.
He, at least, seems to have held his form. Greater tests await.

That Carlisle race was the same one that Bristol De Mai won three years ago. Since then he has won the last two Betfair Chases. Bristol De Mai and Lostintranslation are the top two in the betting for the Haydock race in a fortnight. Also entered is Altior

It is unlikely he will run but Nicky Henderson has him in just in case there is a problem at Ascot where the Champion Chase winner is expected to run in the Christy 1965 Chase over slightly shorter.

The Betfair is looking pretty decent with Frodon, Might Bite, and Charlie Hall winner Ballyoptic also engaged. Let’s hope we get some respite from the rain.