O'Brien bows to Stars brilliance
Aidan O’Brien has the utmost respect for Sea The Stars as the Ballydoyle batallions bid to sink John Oxx’s colt for the first time this year in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes.
O’Brien’s own stable stars have consistently had to play second fiddle to the four-times Group One winner.
Fame And Glory chased him home in the Derby at Epsom, Rip Van Winkle was second as Sea The Stars triumphed in the Eclipse, and Mastercraftsman had to make do with the runner-up spot in the International at York.
Fame And Glory and Mastercraftsman are sent to Leopardstown on Saturday, and O’Brien is confident both are capable of giving Sea The Stars a fright.
“We never thought that a mile and a quarter would be a problem for Fame And Glory. Obviously he won his two Derby trials over that trip at Leopardstown, so we don’t think that will bother him,” said O’Brien.
“He was in good shape for the Irish Derby, but he’s had a break and he’s back having his first run of his autumn campaign.
“He’s a horse with plenty of speed – he’s a great traveller and is tactically quick early – so we’re looking forward to the race.
“Anybody that has seen Sea The Stars this season knows how good he is, though.
“He looks a top horse on fast ground and we’d love to be going to Leopardstown on nice ground – that would be a level playing field for all horses.”
O’Brien feels Mastercraftsman may strip a fitter horse than the last time he locked horns with Sea The Stars on the Knavesmire, but is unsure if the trip is ideal for the Irish 2000 Guineas winner.
“He had a break after Ascot and he was a little bit on the heavy side at York, but he was ready to run,” the trainer told At The Races.
“It was a nice, evenly-run race and he went to win his race but Johnny Murtagh just felt that in the last 50 yards he just got tired.
“He gets a mile and a quarter but whether he is as good over it will be interesting to see.
“He’s a horse with a high cruising speed and he’s a great traveller.
“He’s very solid but the way he is ridden he needs to be very fit when he runs as he gets out there and rolls – and it’s catch me if you can.”
