Throughout this weekend’s local races, Wayne Lordan’s advantage as the second jockey to Aidan O’Brien becomes evident as he is lined up for a dozen rides for Ballydoyle. The move by Séamus Heffernan to freelance this season has resulted in Lordan ascending the Ballydoyle hierarchy, a prestigious position that has brought Heffernan one of the most impressive large race records in racing history. Although Lordan has previously achieved significant triumphs for O’Brien, the current weekend provides him with both the merit and volume of both Ryan Moore’s absence in Lingfield on Saturday, and Classic responsibility in Paris on Sunday.
Lordan further benefits from three additional races at Naas and Leopardstown, which are distinct from his Ballydoyle duties. Lordan, renowned for his ability to maintain low weights, might soon be regarded as undervalued in the jockeys’ champion ranks, should he manage to establish a steady winning streak.
Flight Of Fancy is the O’Brien nominee in Saturday’s Al Shira’aa Jannash Rose Stakes, the leading feature in Naas; a fact that won’t go unnoticed given her status as a maiden still competing in such leagues. Possibilities of a showdown with another Galileo offspring, Madam Celeste of Ger Lyons, a victor at Dundalk, are not unthinkable.
On the subsequent day at Leopardstown, a cluster of three Group Three races is set to take place, with the highlight being the Cashel Palace Derby Trial. Lordan will debut Los Angeles at the derby. Over the years, these races have often clashed with the French Guineas- an outcome that has seen Heffernan take home victories on high-profile horses including Galileo, Dylan Thomas and Fame And Glory.
Lordan could potentially emulate Heffernan by winning with Los Angeles, a horse that secured a victory at the Criterium De Saint-Cloud as a two-year-old. Lordan’s new ride is also currently a top choice for the Epsom Derby, with odds of 14-1. Los Angeles will be racing alongside stablemate Euphoric in this weekend’s five-rider event, yet another horse from Coolmore, Bremen, might pose the greatest challenge to Los Angeles’ Derby prospects.
One Look has quickly risen to stardom after a triumphant six-length victory in her debut at the Goffs Millions, establishing her as a strong contender for the upcoming Irish 1,000 Guineas. Despite facing some critics unimpressed by her victorious return in Cork, since her starting price was short at 1-20, the unbeaten filly, trained by Paddy Twomey, is preparing to risk her spotless track record in an upcoming Group Three race. This marks the first time she will be sporting a tongue-strap.
Another horse to watch out for is Buttons, steered by Lordan, which doesn’t enjoy the same level of recognition but clocked in a respectable third-place finish, one month prior, against One Look’s stablemate, A Lilac Rolla. There’s potential for further improvement here.
This weekend promises exciting equestrian action with the €50,000 Killarney National taking centre stage on Sunday in the Kingdom. Additionally, there’s a National Hunt card lined up in Cork on Saturday.
The Mallow Bumper event also presents an inaugural race for Churchfield Sunset, an Emmet Mullins prodigy and half-sibling of rising jumps superstar, Ballyburn. Henry de Bromhead’s mares’ maiden hurdle may see Rosalys as a standout performer earlier in the day.