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Aidan O'Brien opens up on Ballydoyle's Classic prospects as the legendary trainer bids to find City of Troy's successor Unlike 12 months ago, there is no standout like the three-year-old City of Troy But number of thoroughbreds old and new could yet shine for the yard this year By DOMINIC KING Published: 02:54 EDT, 15 April 2025 | Updated: 02:54 EDT, 15 April 2025 e-mail View comments Such was the level of drama in Augusta on Sunday evening, Aidan O’Brien unexpectedly found himself breaking one of his self-imposed rules. O’Brien is a stickler for routine and will be in bed each night by 9pm but Rory McIlroy ’s pursuit of golfing immortality had the master trainer gripped and he was unable to switch his television off until he knew the Green Jacket was resting on the 35-year-old’s shoulders. A finish in the early hours, though, didn’t prevent O’Brien from appearing on the Ballydoyle gallops bright and breezy on Monday morning and – as someone who has always strived to conquer new frontiers – the appreciation he had for watching sporting history unfold was genuine.
‘Wasn’t it unbelievable?’ he asked rhetorically, while waiting for a plate of scrambled eggs after supervising the first group of workers. It certainly was but it invited the opportunity to discuss which of his horses has the potential to spark wide-eyed wonderment this summer. Unlike 12 months ago, there is no City Of Troy within Ballydoyle to spark debate but the task of unearthing a gem is something that consumes O’Brien and, as you watched this battalion of regal thoroughbreds glide past, it would be a brave call to suggest he won’t find another champion.
‘There are a few horses that could be absolutely anything,’ O’Brien said. ‘And a little bit of the danger is when you're kind of sifting through horses a little bit, you don't want to overdo them. Sometimes I often think I can overdo them and sometimes I underdo them.
Aidan O'Brien was keen to stay up and witness Rory McIlroy's once-in-a-lifetime success before hitting the gallops the following morning Last season was dominated by his titanic City of Troy but the trainer is on the hunt for new history-makers ‘But I always think the water is very rocky at this time of year. You're pulling back off some, pushing some forward and then you're standing still with others. You're trying to have a little look at them without overexposing them, you know?’ This, in some respects, is like compiling the perfect round of golf – be bold too soon and your card can end up ruined – which is why O’Brien won’t be asking of his Classic horses too many questions too soon, particularly with a long summer ahead.
The shimmering potential, however, is there. And, so, O’Brien began to rattle through the names to remember, headed by Twain – ante-post favourite for the Betfred 2000 Guineas – and Expanded, a colt who looks tailor-made for the Betfred Derby. ‘What they did last year, they shouldn't have done,’ said O’Brien, referencing the fact that both colts ran in Group One races last autumn just a week after winning their maidens.
Of the pair, Twain was remarkable in that he travelled to France and won the Criterium International convincingly. ‘I probably shouldn't have asked them to do it,’ said O’Brien. ‘It wasn't fair to them.
But we did it and they seem to have come through with it so far. But that's what the Classics are all about – that's where the special horses usually come from. ‘You're always looking for the special one.
And, usually, those special horses start and they do develop. They get better and better and better every week. Usually they're the horses that become very good, really.
It was very unusual what the two of them did last year, for sure.’ Twain, who moved beautifully for City of Troy’s old work rider Rachel Richardson, will head to Newmarket on May 4 attempting to give O’Brien his 11th win in the 2000 Guineas but his first since 2019; Expanded could join him but may run at The Curragh two days later. It was also interesting to hear O’Brien’s observations on The Lion In Winter, currently ante-post favourite for the Derby but not seen since last August.
He had been earmarked for Newmarket but will now have his seasonal reappearance in the Dante Stakes at York’s May meeting. The Lion In Winter is ante-post favourite for the Derby but has not been seen since August Old favourite Kyprios could yet make an assault on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe this year ‘He is strong,’ O’Brien explained, during a visit to Ballydoyle that arranged by The Jockey Club. ‘He's not slow.
Does he stay the Derby trip. We won't know until we do it. If we go a mile-and-a-quarter into Dante, we'll have a little idea.
He’ll be 80-90 per cent fit and he’ll come forward a lot.’ Coming forward is something Lake Victoria – the jet-heeled filly who completed an unprecedented Group One treble last autumn by winning in Ireland, England and America – is doing after her progress plateaued and she is now being considered for an assault on Newmarket’s 1000 Guineas. ‘We just stepped her up a couple of weeks ago and she's really coming forward,’ said O’Brien, a bulletin that felt significant.
Dreamy, a sweet filly whose father is the influential sire American Pharoah, got a positive mention about her potential for the Epsom Oaks, while Hypnosis is going to be winning races soon judged on how she went about her work. Read More City of Troy's Breeders' Cup disappointment shouldn't spoil his legacy, writes DOMINIC KING But it is not just all about Newmarket and Epsom and that point was proven by O’Brien referencing Storm Boy – a sprinter who has arrived at Ballydoyle from Australia with the aim of winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot – and an old favourite. Kyprios completed the stayers’ grand slam last year, seven from seven, and his campaign will follow a similar path to the Ascot Gold Cup in June.
Then – and this was O’Brien showing his willingness to try something different – there could be an assault on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. ‘His whole demeanour hasn't changed at all since he's a two-year-old – he’s now eight,’ said O’Brien. ‘He’s just incredible, isn’t he?’ Again, no response was necessary.
The thought of witnessing history was more than enough. Royal Ascot Share or comment on this article: Aidan O'Brien opens up on Ballydoyle's Classic prospects as the legendary trainer bids to find City of Troy's successor e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
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