Joseph O'Brien | Horse Racing Free Tips

American Pharoah Filly Powers To ‘TDN Rising Stardom’ at Leopardstown

Coolmore and Westerberg's sophomore filly Above The Curve (American Pharoah) caught the eye when overcoming a slow getaway to finish strongly for third in a one-mile Leopardstown maiden last October. Back at the Foxrock venue for Wednesday's 10-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, a contest won in 2019 by MG1SW distaffer Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal), she stamped her class on a field stacked with well-bred individuals to earn 'TDN Rising Star' status with an eyecatching display. The 6-5 favourite was more in focus at the break this time and settled off the tempo out wide in midfield through halfway. Making smooth headway into contention on the home turn, she quickened in taking fashion to seize control approaching the final furlong and kept on strongly under mild coaxing in the latter stages to easily outpoint Thoughts of June (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by 2 3/4 lengths.

“We think a lot of her,” revealed trainer Joseph O'Brien of the June 3 G1 Epsom Oaks and July 16 G1 Irish Oaks entry. “She had a really good run last year and has an amazing pedigree. We couldn't ask for more and we'll see where we go now, but we think she's an [Irish] Oaks type. She's very big so we'll manage her gently, maybe something like the [G3] Blue Wind [at Naas next month] would suit. We won't throw her in at the deep end and we'll take baby steps with her. She really is huge, in a way she's nearly too big, and we'll have to manage her correctly. She hasn't done anything wrong so far anyway. I don't think she will be an Epsom [Oaks] filly and I think we will look at the Curragh [for the Irish Oaks], but it is early days to be targeting that.”

Above The Curve is the third of five foals and second scorer out of an unraced sibling of eight black-type performers headed by MG1SW sire Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat). She is a full-sister to G3 Irish 1000 Guineas Trial and G3 Weld Park S. third Thinking Of You and her dam Fabulous (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was bred to Justify last year, has a 2-year-old filly and yearling filly by Justify to come. Descendants of the April-foaled bay's MGSW second dam Mariah's Storm (Rahy), herself a half-sister to G1SP sire Panoramic (GB) (Rainbow Quest), also include MG1SW sires Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), Classic heroines Joan of Arc (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Marvellous (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), MG1SW distaffer Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and elite-level performers Vatican City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Coolmore (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Taj Mahal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

1st-Leopardstown, €15,000, Mdn, 4-6, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:10.66, gd.
ABOVE THE CURVE, f, 3, by American Pharoah
1st Dam: Fabulous (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Mariah's Storm, by Rahy
3rd Dam: Immense, by Roberto
Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $11,538. O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Joseph O'Brien. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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State Of Rest Races On For Newgate Partners

Trainer Joseph O'Brien, the denizen of picturesque Owning Hill in County Kilkenny, is still over a year away from his 30th birthday. During his six-plus years as a trainer, one could argue that great moments like the upset 2018 G1 Irish Derby win by Latrobe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) or the 2020 G1 Melbourne Cup triumph by Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) hold their very special places. However, the exploits of State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) last season were unusually brilliant.

The now 4-year-old colt raced thrice last season after winning only his Fairyhouse debut from six 2-year old appearances. Last June, when sent off as the fourth choice in the betting, he picked up a third-place finish in a listed race at The Curragh.

When still very much under the radar, he was sent to Saratoga last August to contest the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. In addition to beating seven US-based rivals on that occasion and the Charlie Appleby-trained Secret Protector (War Front), he drubbed a pair of well-regarded Irish colts that day, Joseph's father Aidan's US GI Belmont Derby winner Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the Jessica Harrington-trained Group 2 winner Cadillac (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

Still improving at a rate of knots, State Of Rest turned up in Melbourne in October. In the G1 Cox Plate, long considered Australia's most prestigious weight-for-age race, he stunned the racing world by defeating the Goldolphin-owned local superstar Anamoe (Aus) (Street Boss) and subsequent G1 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).

During a media morning at his stable on Wednesday morning, O'Brien said, “State Of Rest is hopefully our flagship horse for the season. We're looking at starting him off in either the [G2] Mooresbridge S. at The Curragh or heading to Longchamp for the [G3] Prix Ganay. We'll see what the ground is like.”

He continued, “The [G1] Tattersalls Gold Cup back at the Curragh will probably be his first big target of the season.”

Campaigned throughout his career by Teme Valley Racing, he was purchased privately in the aftermath of his Cox Plate glory by New South Wales-based Newgate Stud and partners.

O'Brien reported, “He's going to run for the [new] State Of Rest Partnership this year which would mean that it's likely he'll end up in Australia again towards the end of the season, all going well.”

He added, “Anamoe won a Group 1 by 6 1/2 lengths lengths earlier this month. Hopefully, our horse is going to be competitive in those major 10-furlong races this year, having had two big wins last year. If he happens to win or be competitive in Group 1s early in the season, the pattern of his season almost makes its own way through the year. Maybe you wouldn't go to them all, but there are options at Sandown, Ascot and York. He also has American options.”

The former rider of dual Derby winners Camelot (GB) and Australia (GB) also spoke highly of his 3-year-old Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), the fourth-place finisher in last October's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud behind the James Ferguson-trained El Bodegon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).

Outlining his plans for the colt, he said, “Buckaroo will more than likely run at the weekend in the [G3] Ballysax [S.] and we'll see where that takes us. He'll go down the Derby path and see. He's a huge horse and he beat [impressive winner of a Navan maiden race on Tuesday] Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in a maiden at Galway last season.”

O'Brien, who recently celebrated victory at the Cheltenham Festival with Banbridge (Ire), started the Flat season well with victory for Perfect Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) on the opening day of the Irish turf season at The Curragh, beating the regally-bred Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Among the Classic prospects in the yard are a talented trio of fillies who are likely to be seen out this weekend: Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio), a Group 2 winner last season at The Curragh for U.S.-based owner Scott Heider; Seisai (Ire)(Gleneagles {Ire}), an ultra-consistent Group 3-placed juvenile; and Pennine Hills (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a tough Group 3-placed sprinter at two.

Laying out options for them, he stated, “I could run three in the 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown. Agartha won over the course and distance last year. We're probably looking more towards The Curragh than Newmarket for her. Seisai is a good solid filly who has some nice form in good races last season. Pennine Hills ran well over that course and distance when second in the Killavullan S. She's a solid, hardy filly who quickens and stays. I'm happy with all three.”

Also among the Carriganog Racing team for the season are capable older horses like the 6-year-old gelding San Andreas (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), the Group 1-winning juvenile Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who will open his campaign in the G3 Gladness S. on Apr. 10, and Baron Samedi (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), a Group/Grade 2-winning stayer at both Longchamp and Belmont Park.

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O’Brien To Send Two To Saudi

Joseph O'Brien has already collected an impressive haul of international trophies in less than seven years with a trainers' license, including two Melbourne Cups and a Breeders' Cup, and he will look to expand that collection when sending Baron Samedi (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) and Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) to next weekend's Saudi Cup card.

LECH Racing Limited's 5-year-old Baron Samedi rose rapidly through the ranks after being gelded in 2020, with four straight handicap wins followed by victory in the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris, and he picked up where he left off last year, winning the G3 Vintage Crop S. at Navan before traveling to America to take the GII Belmont Gold Cup S. over two miles. After finishing third in the G1 Irish St Leger, Baron Samedi was last seen checking in sixth in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup, and he lines up in the Red Sea Turf H.

“He's a good, solid horse who just keeps progressing and always seems to turn up on the day,” O'Brien said. “He seems in good form at home and this is the race we've always had in mind to start him off this season. We've had some great days around the world so far and this looks a really good opportunity to have a go at a big pot again.”

“It looks as if those middle distance to staying races are where we will run him this season. He might perhaps prefer a little shorter than the trip in Saudi, but it's a tight enough track and I think the trip should be OK for him. He won on a tight track in America in that Grade II last year, so he's proven he can handle this sort of test and I'm hopeful he'll run very well.”

Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez's Thunder Moon is on a recovery mission; he won the G1 National S. at two, but was beaten in all six starts at three last year, albeit finishing second by a head in the G1 Prix Jean Prat. Thunder Moon filled the same position in his seasonal reappearance at Dundalk on Jan. 21. Thunder Moon is set for the 1351 Turf Sprint.

“He was unlucky not to be a Group 1 winner last year having been beaten a head in France and if he gets a good draw, we'd be hopeful he could run into some prize money,” O'Brien said. “I think it's fair to say he's not the most consistent, but on the pick of his form he's not without a chance, and I think we've finally found his optimum conditions.”

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Mating Plans: Heider Family Stables’ Irish-Based Mares

With the 2022 breeding season right around the corner, we will feature a series of breeders' mating plans over the coming weeks. Breeder Scott Heider of Heider Family Stables shares with us the mating plans for his Irish-based mares at Norelands Stud.

PISTA (m, 5, American Pharoah–Mohini {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) to be bred to Dubawi (Ire)
Winner of the 2020 G2 Park Hill S. and second in the G1 Prix de Royallieu, this Joseph O'Brien-trained daughter of American Pharoah is currently in foal to Ballylinch Stud's Lope de Vega (Ire). This mating gives us a desirable 5×5 cross to influential mare Coup de Folie (Halo). Pista's second and third dams, Denebola (Storm Cat) and Coup de Genie (Mr. Prospector), were both champions. Pista is booked this year to Dubawi (Ire). Pista excelled at staying distances, so we like the versatility of both Dubawi and Lope de Vega as we introduce some speed. We are very excited about this talented young mare from a deeply productive Niarchos family.

AMSER (GB) (m, 8, Frankel {GB}–Clepsydra {GB}, by Sadler's Wells) to be bred to Siyouni (Fr)
Amser was acquired in 2020 from Juddmonte Farms. This young Frankel mare is a half-sister to Group I winners Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar) and Passage of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}), the latter the dam of new sire Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Clepsydra's half-sister Double Crossed (GB) (Caerleon) is the dam of champion Twice Over (GB) (Observatory) and her half-sister Sacred Shield (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}) is the dam of 2020 GI Matriarch S, winner Viadera (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}). Amser travels to France this year and will be covered by French champion sire Siyouni (Fr) who is an amazing stallion. Amser is Sadlers Wells 3×2. This mating with Siyouni brings in an additional strain of Northern Dancer through the influential Danehill.

A NEW DAWN (IRE) (Zoffany {Ire}–Simply A Star {Ire}, by Giant's Causeway) to be bred to Wootton Bassett (GB)
Multiple group placed A New Dawn was trained for us by young Joseph O'Brien. Acquired privately from our friends at Coolmore, we are thankful to have a granddaughter of Cherry Hinton (GB) (Green Desert) in our broodmare band. A New Dawn had her first foal in January, a beautiful daughter by Kingman (GB). The Urban Sea line tends to not be overly large in size, so we are thoughtful on proper matings. A New Dawn is booked this season to Wootton Bassett (GB), a stud we believe will be one of the pre-eminent stallions in all of Europe for a long time coming. He reminds us of Into Mischief here in the States.

MY GENERATION (f, 4, Speightstown–Louvakhova, by Maria's Mon) to be bred to Wootton Bassett (GB)
An Irish stakes winner last year at age three for Joseph, My Generation is a half-sister to our Group III-winning colt Crossfirehurricane (Kitten's Joy) and a half-sister to the dam of recent New York multiple stakes winner Jack and Noah (Fr) (Bated Breath {GB}). A deep European family, Louvakhova is a half-sister to French champion and Breeders' Cup-winning mare Flotilla (Mizzen Mast). My Generation is one of the prettiest and most well-balanced fillies we've bred. She is booked this season to budding superstar Wootton Bassett (GB), giving us Gone West 4×3. It's a terrific physical match, as well.

Let us know who you're breeding your mares to in 2022, and why. We will print a selection of your responses in TDN over the coming weeks. Please send details to: garyking@thetdn.com.

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