As the 2024 flat racing season prepares to unfold, all eyes are inevitably drawn to one towering figure in the sport — Aidan O'Brien.
Renowned for being a master trainer with a track record full of triumphs, O'Brien's name is synonymous with excellence on the turf.
With the dawn of a new season upon us, anticipation swirls around the horses under his expert guidance at Ballydoyle.
In this article, we embark on a journey into Aidan O'Brien's stables, uncovering the promising talents poised to capture hearts and headlines alike during the forthcoming flat season.
Join us as we explore the pedigrees, potential, and prospects of the horses set to carry the Coolmore colours to glory on the track.
Auguste Rodin
Where better to start than with last year’s star Auguste Rodin? Many expected the British and Irish Derby winner to be retired to stud, but connections have decided to keep him in racing as a four-year-old.
The Deep Impact colt, who rounded off last season with a high-profile win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita, is expected to start this campaign in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh before heading to Royal Ascot.
A break is then expected for Auguste Rodin, and O’Brien hasn’t ruled out considering another race on the dirt in the second half of the season.
City Of Troy
The horse tipped to follow in Auguste Rodin’s footsteps and win this year’s renewal of the prestigious Derby is City Of Troy, who is currently priced around 9/4 to win the Epsom showpiece for those looking to bet on sports online.
Unbeaten in his three starts, the three-year-old won a Maiden on debut at the Curragh followed by the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at the Newmarket July Festival before making a massive statement in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.
Based on that, City Of Troy is expected to go straight back to the iconic Rowley Mile for the prestigious 2000 Guineas on May 4 — and he is the odds-on favourite to win the first Classic of the season.
Ylang Ylang
With Opera Singer suffering an unfortunate setback that will result in her missing the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5, Ylang Ylang now fronts the market for the second Classic of the season.
The three-year-old made an instant impression on her first two starts for Ballydoyle, winning a Maiden at the Curragh before landing the Grade 3 Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown.
However, she had a blip in form in September when last in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and midfield in the Dubai Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.
Ylang Ylang bounced back to form emphatically when stepped up in trip for the Fillies’ Mile on her final appearance of the season, winning over the 1000 Guineas’ course and distance, and she looks fantastic value at 4/1 — which means you get £4 back for every £1 staked if you need a bet calculator.
Diego Velaquez
Once predicted to be Ballydoyle’s next stable star, Diego Velaquez lived up to expectations with back-to-back wins in his first two appearances.
The Frankel colt won on debut at the Curragh and made a good step up in class when winning the Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown.
However, he was a lacklustre sixth in the Kameko Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster in October — although O’Brien believes that can be overlooked as the horse got upset before the off.
Diego Velaquez will likely start his campaign in a Derby Trial — he is currently priced at around 14/1 to win the Epsom showpiece — and O’Brien has stated that he could opt to send him to France for the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.
