Irish trainer, Aidan O’Brien, appears to be on track to secure his seventh British trainer’s championship before the end of summer, a prediction that is hard to contest against as he brings two Derby winners to the prestigious York Ebor festival. O’Brien is markedly ahead in the standings, such that most bookmakers no longer accept bets on the outcome. He has generated earnings over £5 million (€5.8 million) sourced from fewer than 100 cross-channel participants. Second-placed Andrew Balding, lagging behind by nearly £2 million, acknowledges the difficulty of closing the gap to O’Brien.
O’Brien last claimed the British title in 2017. By reacquiring it, the Irish will establish their supremacy, current champion National Hunt trainer in Britain, Willie Mullins being a fellow countryman.
Los Angeles, the Irish Derby hero, is poised to compete in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, whereas favourite City Of Troy, whose Derby win contributes significantly to O’Brien’s impressive earnings, is aimed at the wealthiest ever Juddmonte International.
Los Angeles, tested on the St Leger trial together with stablemates Illinois and Euphoric, will be the focus of attention. After showing promising improvement from his third place to City Of Troy at Epsom to achieve classic status at the Curragh, he is considered as a serious contender in the upcoming race. Each victory only solidifies O’Brien’s firm position at the top of the season’s leaderboard.
While the racecourse offers several routes for him to take post-race, the option of running a mile and six after the Leger, two miles, or returning to a mile and four having already won the Irish Derby, is definitely a possibility. This upcoming competition could give insight into his future preferences. Not to overlook Illinois’s previous victory at Ascot, Queen’s Vase and his noteworthy performance in France.
Competing alongside Los Angeles & Co, three hopeful local participants stand out, most notably the significantly appraised Kings Gambit. Even with two 2024 Derby victors, it’s not uncommon to anticipate the next year’s Blue Riband contenders in the Group Three Acomb Stakes.
Astoundingly, Godolphin’s Ruling Court and The Lion In Winter from Ballydoyle have already attained favourable betting odds for the 2025 Derby due to their outstanding initial performances. This is particularly remarkable given that they come from two sturdy pedigrees in racing, with The Lion in Winter leaving a lasting impression at the Curragh, being a descendant of Sea The Stars, and the competition’s form beginning to shape up well.
O’Brien commented, “He’s primed to jump back in the saddle and we believe York’s racecourse experience will be beneficial. The track setting should agree with him.” He added that they are considering Goffs Million for him, believing that the timing of this competition, and its offered experience, will be advantageous.
Ruling Court, the offspring of Coolmore’s newly prominent stallion Justify, procured by Sheikh Mohammed for a whopping €2.3 million back in May, left a remarkable impression with his Sandown victory.