PAT HEALY: “Ryan Moore doing what Ryan Moore does, it was just a jaw-dropping performance. It was one of those races where you were glad to say ‘I was there!'”
Auguste Rodin’s win of the Breeders’ Cup Turf
It lived up to its promise; fantastic racing, brilliant stories and even better weather! Yet again, we have to bow to the magnificence and the genius of Aidan O’Brien for getting Auguste Rodin to put in the performance that he did. I think we were all looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup Turf, with Auguste Rodin, Mostahdaf and King Of Steel and, with Ryan Moore doing what Ryan Moore does, it was just a jaw-dropping performance. It was one of those races where you were glad to say “I was there!”
We all know the trials and tribulations the horse has had this season and we all know the high esteem that Aidan held the horse in at the beginning of the season. He didn’t produce at Newmarket, he didn’t produce in the King George, but by God, for Aidan to come back and win the Irish Champion Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Turf shows his genius. Aidan O’Brien has to be the best we’ve ever seen.
Wouldn’t it be great for Auguste Rodin (pictured below) to stay in training next year? There’s been talk that he might be a hopeful for the Breeders’ Cup Classic next year at Del Mar – what a story that would be! What a course to take with the horse. If it happens, I hope they pull it off. That alone made me think “this will be a day I will always remember”.
The Breeders’ Cup
Frankie Dettori’s last minute grab with Inspiral was another fantastic race and, of course, William Buick and Charlie Appleby’s Master Of The Seas just mugged Oisin Murphy and Mawj on the line. Again, it just shows you that – at that level – you’re hero or you’re zero. We can only imagine how that made Oisin feel. He’s had a great comeback season and a Breeders’ Cup win would have meant a lot, so to get mugged on the line, having done nothing whatsoever wrong, just goes to show the ups and downs, the joy and despair of the game. What a filly Mawj is, though.
We have to give Charlie Appleby a round of applause. He’s rounded off the season with a Group 1 win at Doncaster and a Breeders’ Cup win a week later.
The atmosphere was just electric for Auguste Rodin, but also for Cody’s Wish in the Dirt Mile. The horse, who has now won this race for two years running, is named after young lad, Cody Dorman, who very sadly died just after this year’s Breeders’ Cup meeting. How lovely for him to be able to see his namesake win such a great race once again. Our thoughts go out to Cody Dorman’s family.
The Week Ahead
Down Royal has been rescheduled, so we’re looking forward to that. Gerri Colombe will be the highlight in the Grade 1, and I think we have to say a well done to his owners, Robcour, who went to Wetherby last Saturday with the Mouse Morris-trained Gentlemansgame and bagged the Charlie Hall Chase. Congratulations to jockey Darragh O’Keeffe for that.
Mouse is a popular figure and there’s no better man when he has the tools. They have a smart horse on their hands now, so well done to Mouse, Robcour and Wetherby.
Flat Champions
This year’s Champion Flat Jockey, trainer and owner were crowned at the Curragh this weekend. Colin Keane (pictured below) is the Champion Flat Jockey for the fifth time. We’ve spoken about Colin here plenty of times; he’s world class and he’s still improving. It’s a fantastic achievement. The Flat Championships in both the UK and Ireland are the toughest in the world, so to win in either jurisdiction is a huge achievement. It takes hard work and dedication and ability; Colin Keane has them all in spades.
Aidan O’Brien is Champion Trainer, so well done to him, and Coolmore are Champion Owner, so well done to them too.
Jamie Powell is Champion Apprentice Jockey and what a lovely, lovely kid he is. The son of former Jump jockey and much missed Tony Powell and mum Suzy Powell. His dad would be so proud of him. I was very fond of Tony, who was a great character and we had some craic over the years. We’re all so proud of Jamie for his accomplishment. Hopefully he’ll stay healthy and sound, and we wish him plenty of success going forward.
Take Care
PAT
