Aidan O'Brien's top horses ahead of the flat season

With the flat season getting into full swing there is no doubt trainer Aidan O’Brien is set to have another wonderful season. O’Brien has few peers on the world stage and his operation at the historic Ballydoyle training grounds continues to break records year in and year out. This included his phenomenal world record breaking 28 Group/Grade 1 victories in 2017. So who are his top horses ahead of the forthcoming season?

Capri — is a four year old colt who has won five of his 11 starts overall. He is now rated 120 following victories in the Irish Derby and the St Leger. This included a defeat of Champions Stakes victor Cracksman. He ran poorly in the Arc at the end of the season but this could have been due to running too soon after the St. Leger. He is a top class horse and is likely to obtain further Group 1 honours this season.

Order of St George — is a six year old who has won 11 of his 22 starts under rules and is the current top stayer in training. He is now rated 123 and is a two time winner of the Irish St. Leger and a winner of the Ascot Gold Cup in 2016. He was also an unlucky loser in the 2017 edition of that race and will again have the Gold Cup as his main early season objective. He is a tough and genuine horse who has been placed in the last two runnings of the Arc and a similar campaign will be taken this year according to his trainer. There is no doubt many people will have him in their ante post horse racing bets ahead of the current campaign.

Capri provides O'Brien with 12th Irish Derby
(c) Healy Racing Photos

Clemmie — is a three year old bay filly who has won three of her five starts. She is rated 115 following three top class victories including her most recent in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. Following this she was crowned as the European Champion Two year old filly. She is a hugely exciting horse who continues to improve each run and is likely to be heading to Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas with Paddy Power currently making her the 5/2 favourite for the race.

Amedeo Modigliani — is a three year old colt who improved massively from his first start to win convincingly in a Maiden at Galway. He looks very exciting and is many people’s idea of the Derby winner this season and is the current 8/1 joint second favourite with Paddy Power. His trainer said he is likely to take in a Derby trial as he continues to improve throughout the season and is a horse to follow.

Mendelssohn — is a three year old colt who is rated 116 and was the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar last year. He returned with a victory in the Patton Stakes at Dundalk before a stunning victory in the UAE Derby on World Cup night at Meydan. This was an 18 ½ length success and he is now likely to head to the Kentucky Derby for which he is the current favourite. His record now stands at four victories in his seven starts to date. Check out the horse’s eye catching recent victory below.

Saxon Warrior — is a 3 year old colt who has a perfect record of three victories in his three starts to date. He is rated 119 following key victories in the Beresford Stakes at Naas and the Racing Post trophy at Doncaster. His first target of the season is likely to be the 2000 Guineas for which he is the current 9/2 market leader. His trainer said “he’s a big, powerful, relaxed horse and has done really well over the winter”. He is one of the most exciting young horses in the yard and is also the current 4/1 favourite for the Derby.

U S Navy Flag — is a 3 year old colt who has won four of his 11 starts to date and continued to improve throughout last season. His record includes victories in both the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes and the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. This resulted in him being crowned the European Champion Two year old colt. His first key target is likely to be the 2000 Guineas and he is likely to be contesting many top Group races throughout the season.