O'Brien: Henry simply the best
Dual Guineas winner Henrythenavigator has been hailed by Aidan O’Brien as the best miler to have graced Ballydoyle in recent years after his Group One sweep in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
The accolade is one of the highest order with the likes of Hawk Wing, Giant’s Causeway and Rock Of Gibraltar having flown the flag over the distance for O’Brien since the turn of the millennium.
The latter in 2002 was the last horse to progress from victories in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas to land the St James’s Palace Stakes until Henrythenavigator’s brilliant display.
Sent off the 4-7 favourite, the son of Kingmambo denied subsequent Vodafone Derby winner New Approach at Newmarket and the Curragh, and those who supported him at cramped odds never had any real cause for concern.
Although anchored at the rear alongside runner-up Raven’s Pass turning into the home run, Johnny Murtagh’s mount travelled sweetly and weaved a passage through runners to lead over a furlong out.
Once in charge Henrythenavigator sailed forward to hold off the gallant challenge of Raven’s Pass by three-quarters of a length.
Twice Over was a further two and a half lengths back in third.
“You saw what he did in the English Guineas and he improved from there to the Irish Guineas,” said O’Brien.
“Johnny rode him with extreme confidence and was never in any doubt. I think it would be hard to say you’d ever get a better miler than him.
“We are delighted – he’s a really special horse. He has speed, stamina, class and he picks up. He is an exceptional horse and very unique.
“I think all things are open to him and he could go down a lot of routes. You could drop him back in trip, step him up or leave him at a mile – it’s a great decision to have to make.
“When horses like him come along it is great to have them to watch.”
Murtagh had built up to the Royal meeting with a short holiday owing to suspension, but his enforced break proved no barrier to success.
He said: “I had a week off getting ready for Royal Ascot. We won the first race, disappointed in the second and then along comes Henry.
“Aidan is saying he is the best miler we have had and I think he could be right.”
Trainer John Gosden was delighted with the effort of Raven’s Pass and said: “The owners would like to run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at the end of the year and we’ll look at a programme towards that.”
Twice Over’s trainer Henry Cecil said: “He’s run a great race. They went very fast and the ground was a bit fast for him too. Even still, he is probably more of a 10-furlong horse and has run a great race.”
