D-Day for George Washington
The talismanic colt, who annihilated the opposition in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, has been off the track since pulling a hip muscle when finishing second to Araafa in the Irish equivalent over two months ago.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien has been happy with his progress since a recent racecourse gallop at Naas and is now considering the Desmond Stakes on the 20th or the Celebration Mile on the 27th of this month.
He said: “He will work again in the morning, after which we will have to make our minds up where to go as he will need to be entered for next weekend.
“If he does go to England for the Celebration Mile he will then go to the QEII at Ascot the following month, which is what I am leaning towards. The other option is the Desmond and then the Prix du Moulin, but those races might come too soon and there is only a few weeks between them.”
A dual Group One-winning juvenile, George Washington has struck up a fruitful partnership with Kieren Fallon, but with the 41-year-old currently banned from racing in Britain, O’Brien will need a new pilot for the Celebration Mile.
He added: “If he was to run in England whoever rides him will need to ride him in a trial as he needs some knowing.
“Kieren did a lot of work with George over the winter so it will be a new learning process for whoever takes over.”
O’Brien also revealed that Aussie Rules rather than Budweiser Irish Derby winner Dylan Thomas could represent him in the Juddmonte International at York on Tuesday week.
Although Alexandrova is a likely starter in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, O'Brien is unsure who will be chosen to fly the flag in the 10-furlong Group One contest.
Dylan Thomas has enjoyed a well-deserved rest after his awesome performance at the Curragh last month, while Aussie Rules has been kept on his toes since finishing fourth in both the Coral-Eclipse Stakes and Sussex Stakes in recent weeks.
“Dylan Thomas has three more pieces of work to do so we will take a decision after that,” said O’Brien. “We gave him a break after the Derby and have to make sure he is maturing at the right time.
“If he doesn’t run he will go straight to the Irish Champion Stakes next month and Aussie Rules will run instead.”
