Blue De Vega© Photo Healy Racing
Michael O'Callaghan is widely regarded as one of Ireland's most prodigious training talents and his infectious enthusiasm for "racing machine" Blue De Vega suggests 2016 could be the year he makes the seemingly inevitable breakthrough at the top level.
O'Callaghan has already had a few precocious juveniles pass through his hands, with Rapid Applause something of a flag-bearer for the yard last season.
The ill-fated Case Statement and Military Angel were also held in high regard, but none have got the Irishman quite as excited as Blue De Vega.
Beaten on his debut on the all-weather at Dundalk after completely blowing the start, the imposing colt made no mistake at Naas at the second time of asking and was no less impressive when stepped up to Group Three level for the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown.
"He's a very exciting horse and having bought him myself from the breeze-ups at Goresbridge in May, I'm delighted he's turned out to be as good as he is," said the trainer.
"We knew quite quickly what we had. When he started doing half-speeds we could see he was above average and then when we stepped up his work he was kicking his lead horses out of the way.
"It got to the stage where we soon realised we didn't have a horse good enough to lead him - his ability seems endless.
"He's never been off the bridle at home. The only time he's been off the bridle was on his first run at Dundalk when he got left 10 lengths at the start.
"That was actually a good experience for him as it taught him how to race and since then he's been much more switched on.
"I'm delighted with how he's been settling in his races. I wouldn't say he's too keen at home, but he is a bit enthusiastic and a bit of a handful, but when he's gone to the races the last twice he's looked like a racing machine.
"I thought I'd had good two-year-olds before until I saw this lad."
Blue De Vega is likely to be campaigned with next season's early-season Classics in mind, but O'Callaghan has a warning for ante-post punters.
He said: "We'll be looking at a Guineas somewhere in the spring, but I don't think he'd go to Newmarket if the ground was fast.
"Nothing he does has told me he needs soft ground, but the vast majority of Lope De Vegas do prefer a bit of cut.
"I don't think he's the type of horse that needs to have a run as he's very clear-winded and loves his work. He's very forward going in everything he does.
"If it was nice, good ground, he could go straight to Newmarket, otherwise there's the French Guineas and the Irish Guineas later on.
"Hopefully he'll have a long season ahead of him next year and he does look a Group One horse.
"He's the sort of horse that will keep me jumping out of bed on a morning."
