Orderofthegarter and Seamus Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
Orderofthegarter earned Classic quotes following his impressive win in the Listed Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown today, landing a gamble to lead home a 1-2 for trainer Aidan O’Brien.
Jockey bookings for the race suggested Taj Mahal was Ballydoyle’s first-string under Ryan Moore but having opened at 3/1 this morning, drifted to 5/1 at the off. In contrast, ‘second-string’ Orderofthegarter, under Seamie Heffernan was heavily backed from 2/1 this morning in to 5/4 favourite and in the race made all for a comfortable three and a three parts of a length win over the staying on Taj Mahal
Orderofthegarter, which had the benefit of a recent winning outing, was later introduced at 12/1 for the English 2,000 Guineas and at 5/1 for the Irish equivalent.
Following the race, O’Brien stated “he’s made nice progress from Naas; his two runs last year were when second to two good horses of ours so we probably shouldn’t be surprised with what he’s doing.
“Seamus was positive on him - he gets a mile well and should get a mile and a quarter. He could be an Irish Guineas horse, and he goes on any ground.
“At the moment we are looking at running Churchill at Newmarket and Caravaggio in France. That is Plan A but things can always change.”
The Most Noble 'Order of the Garter' is the highest order of chivalry and the third most prestigious honour (inferior only to the Victoria Cross and George Cross) in England and the United Kingdom.
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
