The legendary breeze-up handler has described his recent upsurge of form on the track as “a breath of fresh air” and, while the 77-year-old admitted to being sorry he couldn't hold on to a horse as talented as Port Augusta, he revealed the son of Zoustar (Aus) fulfilled what he was bought to do by getting sold. 

A 75,000gns Book 1 yearling, Port Augusta missed his engagement in last year's Craven Breeze-Up Sale back at Tattersalls after pulling out of the pre-breeze with a small splint. 

After being given the necessary time to recuperate, the colt went some way to proving his ability by landing back-to-back races at Dundalk, providing Browne with plenty of enjoyment in doing so. 

He explained, “I would think he will suit Hong Kong very well. He is a very sound horse and rattles off quick ground. He has a lot of pace and he stays. We haven't seen the best of this horse, not by a long way. I feel we have only been scratching the surface with him over six and seven furlongs at Dundalk and, if he got a fast pace to aim at over a mile, he could be a serious horse. He's out of a very good race mare [Ship Of Dreams (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire})] and he's very good-looking himself. 

“I thought I might be able to hold on to him and take him to Dubai but he wasn't bought for that and came to me to get sold rather than to race. I got my days in the sun with him and it's good money to get. Proper money.”

Browne added, “He went to the Craven and did the preliminary canter but was slightly lame that evening. We couldn't figure it out. We thought he had given himself a little twist or something. On the morning of the breeze proper, he was still a little off and we discovered that he had a tiny splint halfway down the inside of his shin. We had to withdraw him and give him time. It's probably been a blessing in disguise for this horse.”

Browne may be best known for his breeze-up exploits but his Tipperary stable has been represented by some classy performers in recent times. Spirit Gal (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), winner of the Listed Star Appeal S. at Dundalk, famously took Browne to the Breeders' Cup in 2022 before transferring to Andre Fabre. In the past three seasons, Browne has sent out a hugely respectable tally of 15 winners domestically. 

“To say I am enjoying it would be putting it mildly now,” the veteran operator chuckled. “It's been a breath of fresh air. We've been terribly lucky to get a half dozen nice horses at the same time over the winter. Sure I didn't know myself. They've all done their job and the next trick is to try and replace a few of them, which isn't easy.”

Asked if would consider buying a few more yearlings specifically to race rather than to breeze, given how much he has enjoyed his trips to the races in recent times, Browne replied, “I'd say not, to be honest, and there's two reasons why. Number one, I am too old to start doing that and number two, it's very hard to separate the two in terms of deciding that this yearling is for racing and this one isn't. You would only complicate the thing too much and then you would become known as a trainer. It could affect the main business, which is the breeze-ups.

“No is the short answer. I wouldn't buy specifically to go down the road of racing but what I would love is for somebody else to send me a horse. But I'm not stupid enough to think that, at 77 years of age, there'll be a queue of people wanting to send me a horse. For me to go buying yearlings and start putting them into different boxes wouldn't be right. It wouldn't be good for business.”

At 77 years of age, Browne has made it clear that he is not going to go reinventing himself or anything crazy like that. But one thing's for sure, the man who has blooded many top-notchers under the banner of Mocklershill still gets as big a kick out of the game as ever before. 

He concluded, “It's not that easy to explain what the kick of training winners is because it's very different to breezing horses. Once you breeze them, okay you follow them for their new connections, but your input is finished. When you're training them and get them ready for a race and go out the next morning and look at them in the box and admire them, it's a great feeling. There's huge job satisfaction when you can prepare your horse to go and win a few nice races. That's my idea of heaven.”

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Auguste Rodin is so far the sole foal out of the stable's high-class G1 Fillies' Mile, G1 Prix de l'Opera and G1 Lockinge S. heroine Rhododendron, who was also successful in the G2 Debutante S. and finished runner-up in the 1000 Guineas, Oaks and Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Her dam Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who was the winner of the Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Sun Chariot S. and G1 Nassau S., also produced one of this yard's best females in the seven-time group 1 winner Magical (Ire) by Galileo and her group 3-winning sire Flying The Flag (Ire). Alongside Halfway To Heaven, the G2 King's Stand S.-winning third dam Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) who is a half-sister to Verglas (Ire) was also responsible for Galileo's GI First Lady S. and GI Rodeo Drive S. winner Photo Call (Ire).

6th-Naas, €16,000, Mdn, 7-2, 2yo, 7fT, 1:31.53, y/s.
AUGUSTE RODIN (IRE), c, 2, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
     1st Dam: Rhododendron (Ire) (Ch. Older Mare-Eng at 7-9 1/2f, Ch. 2yo Filly-Ire, Ch. Older Mare-Ire at 7-9 1/2f, Ch. Older Mare-Eur at 7-9 1/2f, G1SW-Fr, MG1SW-Eng, GSW & G1SP-Ire, GISP-US, $1,786,763), by Galileo (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Halfway To Heaven (Ire), by Pivotal (GB)
     3rd Dam: Cassandra Go (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $13,375. O-M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs J Magnier/Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact) is out of Group 1 winner Rhododendron and he's an exciting colt, getting off the mark for @Ballydoyle at @NaasRacecourse #ディープインパクト #競馬 pic.twitter.com/DfhWvh9xO1

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 2, 2022

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“[Clerk of the Course] Paddy Graffin said to me 'he's nice' leaving the parade ring and anytime Paddy says that to me they win, so he might be a good omen,” revealed winning rider Seamus Heffernan. “He's a grand staying type of horse and they went a good gallop there. He stayed on going well and I liked him.”

Star of India is the eighth of nine foals and sixth scorer produced by stakes-winning G3 Cornwallis S. and GIII Senorita S. third Shermeen (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}), herself a full-sister to the dual stakes-winning G2 Flying Childers and G3 Molecomb S. placegetter Mister Manannan (Ire). The April-foaled bay is a full-brother to this term's G3 Hampton Court S. runner-up Roman Empire (Ire) and a half-brother to G1 Phoenix S.-winning sire Sudirman (Henrythenavigator) and a weanling colt by No Nay Never.

2nd-Leopardstown, €16,500, Mdn, 10-23, 2yo, c/f, 7fT, 1:30.07, gd.
STAR OF INDIA (IRE), c, 2, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Shermeen (Ire) (SW & GSP-US, GSP-Eng, $191,892), by Desert Style (Ire)
2nd Dam: Cover Girl (Ire), by Common Grounds (GB)
3rd Dam: Peace Carrier (Ire), by Doulab
1ST-TIME STARTER. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €9,735. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Westerberg; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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1.15 Navan, Mdn, €15,500, 2yo, f, 5f 162yT
PRETTIEST (Dubawi {Ire}) is the first foal out of the G1 Falmouth S., G1 Matron S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. winner Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who is such a prized asset at Coolmore. Seamie Heffernan has the mount on the February-foaled chestnut, who faces eight rivals and three experienced ones in a tough introduction.

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“I fancied him in Newmarket, but he was too green that day,” explained winning rider Seamus Heffernan. “Ryan [Moore] said he liked him and that he’d be very hard to beat next time he ran. He was whinnying going to the start and, as I was going to make the running, I thought [racing with] company is a bit better. When I had company it worked and when I let him go he quickened really well. He’s from a good family and he’s a good mover. He has a big future.”

Full to MG1SP G2 Sandown Classic victor Southern France (Ire), Bolshoi Ballet is out of an unraced half-sister to MGSP Listed Prix Rose de Mai victress Aubergade (Fr) (Kaldoun {Fr}) and GSW G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Abbatiale (Fr) (Kaldoun {Fr}), whose own black-type descendants include last month’s G1 Moyglare Stud S. third Oodnadatta (Ire) (Australia {GB}). The April-foaled bay is also full to the dam of GII Miss Grillo S, third Editor At Large (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and his dam Alta Anna (Fr) (Anabaa) has a weanling filly by No Nay Never to come.

2nd-Leopardstown, €16,500, Mdn, 10-16, 2yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:48.22, yl.
BOLSHOI BALLET (IRE), c, 2, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Alta Anna (Fr), by Anabaa
2nd Dam: Anna Edes (Fr), by Fabulous Dancer
3rd Dam: Abbey (Fr), by Jim French
Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $12,586. O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Lynch-Bages & Rhinestone Bloodstock (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Delivering a 14th renewal to his trainer and a fourth for his personal resume, Heffernan said, “I was always comfortable. He’s a tough horse–I would have liked to have had a better draw and a cleaner slot and I took a gamble in dropping him in, but if you go forward and you get trapped wide he’s a horse that gets competitive. I always wanted to switch him off and ride him for luck, because he’s a generous horse and it worked out. When I put him in gear, he picked up. He had been showing plenty at home, but what he had been showing at home was guts. He’s a lovely horse with a big heart and you can’t ask for any more.”

Santiago had started out with seconds over seven furlongs at Leopardstown and Galway last summer, the latter of which takes on an altogether different light coming behind Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) at the famed festival. Beating Sunchart (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) over a mile at Listowel in September, he was untried in the top latter-season tests and consequently arrived at Royal Ascot under the radar to all bar those closest to him tackling the Queen’s Vase. After dismissing the solid yardstick Berkshire Rocco (Fr) (Sir Percy {GB}) as the pair pulled clear in that 14-furlong contest, he was thrust into the limelight and then into the heat of this battle with the stable’s leading Galileos diverted to Epsom.

Travelling notably strongly in the final quintet with Heffernan happy to keep tabs on the Jim Bolger runner Fiscal Rules (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) dead ahead, the pace was kept honest courtesy of Iberia (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was placed on the front to draw the potential sprint out of the race. As the field turned for home, there was a fanning out from the fence which gifted Heffernan the space he needed to emerge into contention and he was at the head of affairs as quickly as he had been at the Royal meeting last week passing the two pole. While everything in his immediate vicinity was instantly covered, out of range to his left was Tiger Moth with Emmet McNamara keeping him wide for his effort. It became a battle in the final furlong and for a brief spell it looked as if the 11-1 shot would provide his rider with a fairytale first Classic, but Santiago drew on that extra dimension to take the glory.

O’Brien, who had saddled the first three in this in 2002, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2019, majors in humility at all times and was not breaking the pattern despite this incredible achievement. “They ran good races, so I’m delighted,” was his unassuming response to another milestone in his career. “Santiago is a lovely, straightforward horse who likes to take his time in his races and Seamus got a lovely run through. We thought he could be a Leger horse and I think that looks a lovely race for him, but we are going to look forward to him for next year too. He’s a lovely, clean-winded, honest horse.”

Tiger Moth had beaten Dawn Patrol and Order of Australia as O’Brien also saddled the first four home in a 10-furlong Leopardstown maiden June 9 that in this unusual season takes on the shape of a true Derby trial. Dawn Patrol met interference en route to finishing off strongly here and the Ballydoyle handler was understandably full of hope that they can also emerge as forces later on this term. “The next two are lovely horses and are two babies–they are progressing and in a month’s time we think they will be even better,” he added.

MV Magnier, speaking by Zoom videolink, added, “I’m delighted for Seamus. I didn’t realise that he’s 47, but he’s riding very well and has been working in Ballydoyle for a long time. He deserves it. The Irish Derby is the pinnacle of Irish racing. It is a stallion-making race and many great champions have won it over the years.”

Santiago, who becomes the first Classic winner for his sire, was bought in utero by Robert Nataf of Horse France as he purchased the 4-year-old filly Wadyhatta (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) for €275,000 at Arqana’s 2016 Summer Sale. The listed-placed second dam Thamarat (GB) (Anabaa) produced three black-type performers, including last year’s G1 Prix du Jockey Club third Motamarris (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}) who looks a potential star this season, and the multiple listed-placed Riqa (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who is in turn the dam of the G3 Prix de Cabourg, G3 Prix de Meautry and G3 Prix du Petit Couvert scorer Tantheem (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}).

Thamarat is a half-sister to the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and G1 Prix Jean Prat-winning sire Tamayuz (GB) (Nayef), while the G3 Prix de Flore-winning fourth dam Allez Les Trois (Riverman) produced the G1 Prix du Jockey-Club hero and sire Anabaa Blue (GB) by Thamarat’s sire Anabaa. Allez Les Trois is kin to the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine and incredible producer Urban Sea (Miswaki), which links Santiago back to the 2001 winner of this race, Galileo, as well as to Sea the Stars (Ire) who shares Cape Cross (Ire) as a sire with Santiago’s dam Wadyhatta. This is also the family of the brilliant G1 2000 Guineas hero and sire King’s Best, involving the dam line of the German-bred blue hen Allegretta (GB) (Lombard {Ger}). Wadyhatta’s as-yet unraced 2-year-old filly by Frankel (GB) named La Joconde (Ire) was purchased by the Broadhurst Agency for 850,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, while she also has a yearling filly by that sire.

Saturday, Curragh, Ireland
DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH DERBY-G1, €750,000, Curragh, 6-27, 3yo, 12fT, 2:38.17, gd.
1–SANTIAGO (IRE), 128, c, 3, by Authorized (Ire)
1st Dam: Wadyhatta (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire)
2nd Dam: Thamarat (GB), by Anabaa
3rd Dam: Al Ishq (Fr), by Nureyev
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Lynch Bages Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Seamus Heffernan. €435,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 5-3-2-0, $589,585. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tiger Moth (Ire), 128, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Lesson In Humility (Ire), by Mujadil. O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. €150,000.
3–Dawn Patrol (Ire), 128, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Gwynn (Ire), by Darshaan (GB). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Lynch Bages Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. €75,000.
Margins: HD, 5, 1 1/4. Odds: 2.00, 11.00, 10.00.
Also Ran: Order of Australia (Ire), Fiscal Rules (Ire), Gold Maze (GB), New York Girl (Ire), Sunchart (GB), Arthur’s Kingdom (Ire), Crossfirehurricane, King of the Throne, Iberia (Ire), Chiricahua (Ire). Scratched: Galileo Chrome (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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