Dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin could head straight to the United States for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park in November, according to trainer Aidan O’Brien.
The 3-year-old bounced back to his best to land the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown last weekend, the second time he had put a disappointing run behind him before scooping a major prize.
O’Brien said: “Auguste Rodin has come out of Leopardstown very well. It’s very possible he will go straight to America. He loves a pace and he follows a pace very easy. When he gets to the front he doesn’t do much, but that’s the way he’s always been.
“I think the Breeders’ Cup would suit him. All he wants is a good pace in front of him, and you usually get that in America on fast ground.”
The six-time winner got the better of stablemate Luxembourg to win the Irish Champion Stakes on the back of a disappointing run in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot, where he was last of 10. He had previously finished 12th of 14 on his seasonal reappearance in the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket before winning the Epsom Derby (G1) in June and the Irish Derby (G1) in July.
Auguste Rodin is priced between 3-1 and 5-1 to give O’Brien his seventh Breeders’ Cup Turf success and could face Equinox , the world’s top-rated horse.
