It was unusual to write Sir Henry Cecil out of the record books, and Aidan O’Brien delivered in spectacular style on October 22 with Auguste Rodin .
He became the most successful coach in Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (G1) history with a sailing shot that turned an intended non-runner into the Cazoo Derby favorite ( G1) years later and is a big treat for Qipco Two Thousand Guineas (G1) too.
It’s not enough to be a champion trainer to have a cool line of Coolmore blue carp with a perfect middle distance lineage, you need to have the courage to take your chances when heavy rain makes conditions worse. become less than ideal and need to come up with a winning strategy.
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O’Brien had both of those failed, which is why progressive group 2 winner Auguste Rodin – a major market leader – was brought forward for the late British group 1. end of the season, which his coach had won 10 times before.
And it’s also why Ryan Moore directed the winner onto the grandstand rails in the first place, tracking Wayne Lordan on his steady pal. Salt Lake City and Frankie Dettori on Epictetus when the field is split into two groups far apart more reminiscent of the Lincoln here in the spring than the fall group 1 challenge.
The love affair was strange though it might have looked, Moore judged everything perfectly. He went over to lead the pack by the stands a quarter of a mile from home, seeing off the overall leader Holloway Bay when that opponent hangs over the track to join him, and score a 3 1/2-long rally Epictetus.
“We came here with the intention of getting him out,” O’Brien admitted. “We discussed it and the boys said if the ground was heavy we wouldn’t run. Ryan rode in the first (race) and said it was soft, he didn’t think it was heavy. We walked the track, and we felt it wasn’t heavy, we thought it was worth it for him to have a chance.”
Explaining the bold tactical move, he added: “The pitch is very cut out in the middle and has been run to the far side, this is the only point that cannot be raced.
“So we feel he’ll at least be on virgin ground, we hope he won’t get stuck in the divots. Usually, on soft ground, it’s best when it’s not. We feel we won’t see him at his best, but the experience will do him good.
“It’s been wildly successful, it hasn’t always been successful. He’s really a horse to get a little excited for next year.”
The bookies are showing interest in Auguste Rodin, who is currently the best bidder 5-1 for Guineas and 4-1 for Derby.
“I’d say he won’t have a problem starting in Guineas,” said O’Brien. “He has a lot of class.
“He’s going to love the good ground in Newmarket, and you’d imagine he’ll be a mile and a half. He seems to have all the right things.
“I’m so happy for everyone. Most of these horses we’ve won are crossbreed, so it’s just unbelievable. I feel so honored to be a part of this team. it.”
Epictetus general coach John Gosden wasn’t surprised by the Ballydoyle tactic and said: “I think they can go that way, I’m on track with Aidan and I say to Frankie, ‘Be careful, they will turn right out of the gate and use the abbreviation ‘rail.’
“Epictetus has run very well. He is still an immature horse, he is still weak and the ground has discovered him but he is a great horse for next year. We will begin. he’s a mile and a half in a test, something like Dante (G2).”
