More Success Likely for Aidan O’Brien at Royal Ascot
Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien extended his record in the Derby to 10 victories this year when City Of Troy won the British Classic in impressive style. It was the icing on the cake for the Irishman in what was another excellent meeting at Epsom, with success also coming in the Coronation Cup.
O’Brien can carry his momentum into Royal Ascot, as he has some strong entries across the five days. Here is a look at his best chances this year.
Kyprios – Ascot Gold Cup
With eight wins in the race, O’Brien has dominated the Ascot Gold Cup over the last couple of decades. He will be bidding to win the feature contest once again with Kyprios this year. The former winner is the odds-on favourite at 10/11 in betting on horse racing for the race.
O’Brien has five horses currently entered in the Gold Cup, with Point Lonsdale, a 16/1 shot in the bet on Royal Ascot market, arguably his next best chance of lifting the trophy. His number one retained jockey, Ryan Moore, is sure to select Kyprios, as the talented stayer has proven himself over this course and distance before.
Now that his injury troubles are behind him, it could be another big year for the four-time Group One winner. He has been victorious on both of his two starts this season, with wins already coming at Leopardstown and Navan.
Opera Singer – Coronation Stakes
The Coronation Stakes is the opportunity for the leading three-year-old fillies to shine. Opera Singer had to settle for third place behind Fallen Angel in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh earlier this season, but she will get the chance to reverse the form with her rival at Royal Ascot.
O’Brien’s filly finished her two-year-old campaign with a Group One victory at the Arc Meeting at Longchamp in France. She won the Prix Marc Boussac in impressive style by five lengths to establish herself as a leading Classic contender.
With the run at the Curragh now behind her, the daughter of Justify is likely to be much sharper at the royal meeting. She has the chance to prove she is one of the leading fillies of her year group.
Continuous – Hardwicke Stakes
Former St Leger winner Continuous is set to make his return to action in the Group Two Hardwick Stakes at Royal Ascot 2024. The British Classic winner has been kept in training as a four-year-old, with his targets this year likely to be the Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The Irish horse won the Great Voltigeur Stakes over this 1m4f distance last season. He is set to take on Middle Earth and Rebel’s Romance in this day five contest but he looks to be the one they will all have to beat.
O’Brien became the most successful Royal Ascot trainer in history in 2023 when Paddington gave him an 83rd triumph. He is now approaching a century of winners at the meeting, and with a big week this year, he will take a step closer to the milestone.