Aidan O’Brien gives me an update on City Of Troy ahead of the Epsom Derby… and Auguste Rodin’s big return
BEFORE City of Troy tries to do an ‘Auguste Rodin’ at Epsom the latter will be bidding to restore his reputation over in Ireland this weekend.
As most of you are aware, City of Troy will bid for a famous Betfred Derby success at Epsom a week on Saturday on the back of a dismal effort in the 2000 guineas at Newmarket.
That, of course, is exactly what Auguste Rodin did in 2023.
His flop at HQ came before a huge Derby-winning performance for Aidan O’Brien.
Auguste Rodin failed to beat a rival home on his return in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic in Meydan.
The son of Deep Impact had previously been seen winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita to cap a three-year-old campaign that featured moments of brilliance in the Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes.
However, he was twice a beaten favourite last season, first when making a flat return in the 2,000 Guineas and then when trailing the field in a high-quality running of the King George at Ascot in July.
O’Brien confirmed to me today that Auguste Rodin is primed for the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on Sunday.
The master of Ballydoyle also said that City of Troy remained in perfect shape on Monday morning.
The brilliant Dewhurst hero has, for many, to prove he has trained on.
Speaking of brilliant returns, all eyes are on Haydock Saturday when Vandeek is back in the Sandy Lane for Simon & Ed Crisford.
The beautiful Vandeek, the mount of James Doyle, was immensely impressive when landing the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes last season and is warming up for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
Back to the Derby and Ahmad Al Shaikh will continue his quest for Epsom success with the Owen Burrows-trained Deira Mile who runs under the banner of Green Team Racing. Jim Crowley is expected to ride.
Few owners crave success in the Derby more than Ahmad.
In recent years, he has had horses significantly outrun their market expectations in the race, with Khalifa Sat second at 50-1 in 2020 and Hoo Ya Mal also runner-up at odds of 150-1 two years later.
Deira Mile is in the region of 66-1 but impressed when scoring at Windsor last time out.
Ahmad was in his plane on the way to England and then Epsom today.
Deira Mile is primed for a gallop around Tattenham Corner Tuesday morning.
It’s Derby time for no bigger supporter of the greatest Flat race.
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