Unquestionable triumph gives Ballydoyle fresh hope of Auguste Rodin success
Auguste Rodin will hope to follow in Unquestionable's footsteps and justify favouritism in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Turf
Saturday, 04 November 2023
Unquestionable led Mountain Bear in an Aidan O'Brien one-two in Friday's Juvenile Turf
Unquestionable’s stirring success in the Juvenile Turf served as the perfect prelude to an Auguste Rodin special in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, writes Ben Hart.
A frustrating start turned to ecstasy for Ballydoyle, as Unquestionable roared home for a length-and-a-half victory after stablemates River Tiber and Bolshoi Ballet were both scratched after examination from local vets.
The withdrawal of race favourite River Tiber allowed jockey Ryan Moore to pivot onto Unquestionable in place of Frankie Dettori, and he delivered a brilliant ride to give O’Brien his sixth Juvenile Turf success and 17th overall at the Breeders’ Cup.
“I’m delighted for everyone, delighted for the lads,” O’Brien told ITV Racing.
“I felt so sorry for the lads with River Tiber’s withdrawal. It’s incredible really, it’s very tough to win here and I’m so delighted for the lads because they put in so much effort day after day.
“It’s unbelievable really, hard to explain. When things start off bad, they usually go downhill because there’s a lot of variables you can’t control. Sometimes they fall for you and sometimes they don’t. Ryan gave him a beautiful ride and I’m so delighted.”
Jessica Harrington’s Givemethebeatboys befell the same fate as two of O’Brien’s top prospects, as the 10-1 contender for the Turf Sprint joined the list of 16 non-runners on Friday.
But after a cathartic end to the day for O’Brien, he will be relishing the prospect of a mammoth showdown in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Saturday evening.
Dual Derby and Irish Champion Stakes winner Auguste Rodin takes on Mostahdaf and King Of Steel in a battle of the raiders.
The son of Deep Impact has the advantage of a better draw than his rivals, and stablemate Broome could provide the perfect tow.
O’Brien is confident his setbacks in the 2000 Guineas and King George are behind him, and feels his star three-year-old has one more big ride in him.
“This is the race for Auguste Rodin, it’s a lovely flat track and we’ve probably had our eye on this one all year,” he told Racing TV.
“The (Irish) Champion Stakes should have set him up lovely for it.
“He’s a very well-balanced horse and on breeding one we have dreamed about. A Galileo mare with Deep Impact.
“The couple of times he got beat he flew in on the day but he’s travelled over here well and is beautifully relaxed. I think he’s totally happy in himself.
“He’s a big personality and confident in himself. I’m looking forward to him showing what he can do.”
O’Brien holds all the Irish entries on Saturday's card, with the progressive Warm Heart set for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at 7.10pm, before Auguste Rodin looks to extend his trainer's record tally of six Turf victories at 9.50pm.
Then at 11.25pm, Aesop’s Fables bids for his first Grade 1 triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
A frustrating start turned to ecstasy for Ballydoyle, as Unquestionable roared home for a length-and-a-half victory after stablemates River Tiber and Bolshoi Ballet were both scratched after examination from local vets.
The withdrawal of race favourite River Tiber allowed jockey Ryan Moore to pivot onto Unquestionable in place of Frankie Dettori, and he delivered a brilliant ride to give O’Brien his sixth Juvenile Turf success and 17th overall at the Breeders’ Cup.
“I’m delighted for everyone, delighted for the lads,” O’Brien told ITV Racing.
💥 Unquestionable is unstoppable! 💥
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) November 4, 2023
It's an O'Brien one-two in the Juvenile Turf as Mountain Bear takes second in a 17th @BreedersCup success for the master of Ballydoyle 🏆#GreenTeam #BreedersCup pic.twitter.com/BJBIrhCzIj
“I felt so sorry for the lads with River Tiber’s withdrawal. It’s incredible really, it’s very tough to win here and I’m so delighted for the lads because they put in so much effort day after day.
“It’s unbelievable really, hard to explain. When things start off bad, they usually go downhill because there’s a lot of variables you can’t control. Sometimes they fall for you and sometimes they don’t. Ryan gave him a beautiful ride and I’m so delighted.”
Jessica Harrington’s Givemethebeatboys befell the same fate as two of O’Brien’s top prospects, as the 10-1 contender for the Turf Sprint joined the list of 16 non-runners on Friday.
But after a cathartic end to the day for O’Brien, he will be relishing the prospect of a mammoth showdown in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Saturday evening.
Dual Derby and Irish Champion Stakes winner Auguste Rodin takes on Mostahdaf and King Of Steel in a battle of the raiders.
The son of Deep Impact has the advantage of a better draw than his rivals, and stablemate Broome could provide the perfect tow.
O’Brien is confident his setbacks in the 2000 Guineas and King George are behind him, and feels his star three-year-old has one more big ride in him.
Auguste Rodin looking a picture this morning ahead of his run in the @BreedersCup Turf this Saturday@RishiPersad1 reports from Santa Anita 👇@FanDuelTV | @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/Gda7HYRrbj
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 1, 2023
“This is the race for Auguste Rodin, it’s a lovely flat track and we’ve probably had our eye on this one all year,” he told Racing TV.
“The (Irish) Champion Stakes should have set him up lovely for it.
“He’s a very well-balanced horse and on breeding one we have dreamed about. A Galileo mare with Deep Impact.
“The couple of times he got beat he flew in on the day but he’s travelled over here well and is beautifully relaxed. I think he’s totally happy in himself.
“He’s a big personality and confident in himself. I’m looking forward to him showing what he can do.”
O’Brien holds all the Irish entries on Saturday's card, with the progressive Warm Heart set for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at 7.10pm, before Auguste Rodin looks to extend his trainer's record tally of six Turf victories at 9.50pm.
Then at 11.25pm, Aesop’s Fables bids for his first Grade 1 triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.