Henri Matisse has increased Aidan O’Brien’s potential for further Classic triumphs after taking victory in the Wootton Bassett Irish EBF Futurity Stakes at the Curragh. This gave his trainer an extraordinary 17th win in the event. Over the last three decades, O’Brien has unsurprisingly dominated this Group Two competition, with winners including the likes of Giant’s Causeway (1999), Hawk Wing (2001), Gleneagles (2014), Churchill (2016) and Henry Longfellow who was triumphant last season.
Previously victorious in his first two appearances at the Curragh, Henri Matisse narrowly claimed the Railway Stakes in June, and this time was the 5-6 favourite with jockey Ryan Moore. Compellingly, his first seven-furlong race resulted in an impressive defeat of Hotazhell by a length.
Consequently, Paddy Power has lowered the odds for the Wootton Bassett colt to 10-1 from 12-1 in next year’s 2,000 Guineas, making him joint-second favourite. The Lion In Winter, who previously claimed the Acomb Stakes, remains the outright favourite at 7-1.
According to trainer Aidan O’Brien, “He’s lazy and he quickens,” speaking delightfully of Henri Matisse’s skills, which notably improved over seven furlongs. His only stumble was a slight swerve towards the end, which O’Brien attributes to his greenness, still being a baby in racing terms. Their sights are currently set on the National Stakes.
Although lacking the drama of her previous races, another of O’Brien’s horses, Bedtime Story, held onto her unbeaten record. This came following a fiercely contested victory in the Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes at the Curragh.
Frankel’s offspring, O’Brien’s filly, made a successful first appearance at Leopardstown in June, shone at the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot with a victory by nine and a half lengths. Since then, she triumphed in the Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown, making her a perfect four out of four victories, a record her trainer had previously achieved thirteen times. Bedtime Story had a slightly challenging match, though, against her competitors.
In the final furlong, Moore’s mount was in the third position and had to rely on his whip to maintain the lead over her stablemate, Exactly, and Barnavara, under the training of Jessica Harrington. However, she managed to pull ahead, edging out Exactly by half a length at the end, with Barnavara trailing them by a neck.
After the race, O’Brien commented that they didn’t go full throttle that day as preparation for the next race, acknowledging the filly’s early speed and praising Ryan for not exhausting her in the race. He mentioned “she had to race seriously towards the end, but we’re quite contented with the outcome. She’ll now compete in the Moyglare.”
Despite the tougher race, Bedtime Story remains a steady favourite for next year’s 1,000 Guineas with Coral, who have also tipped her as their leading choice for the Oaks at odds of 5-1.