AIDAN SMASHES OWN RECORD

Ian Heitman highlights O'Brien's sensational youngsters' winning spree

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The final 2yo Group 1 races in Europe run at Doncaster and Saint-Cloud on October 25 and 26 were all won by Aidan O’Brien-trained horses taking his Group 1 tally for the year to 25. Of the 13 Group 1 races for 2yos to be run in Europe, Aidan O’Brien won eight and had the runner-up in the other five.

The Doncaster Group 1, the Futurity Trophy over a mile was run on heavy ground for the third time in four years and attracted a field of only five, the smallest since 2011. Aidan O’Brien saddled the winner that year, Camelot, and was bidding for a 12th success in the race and with three of the five runners and the front two in the betting, Group 2 winners Benvenuto Cellini and Hawk Mountain, it looked highly likely. His other runner Action had finished third in a Group 2 on his previous start. Oxagon, fifth in the Dewhurst on his previous start, had the best form of the two UK-trained runners and was an 11/4 chance for John and Thady Gosden with outsider of the quintet, Rochfortbridge making a quick reappearance having finished second in the Listed Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract five days earlier.

The O’Brien trio dominated the race from halfway, Oxagon failed to handle the heavy track and was well beaten last of the five, whilst Rochfortbridge was unable to land a blow in the final two furlongs. All three had a chance of winning with two furlongs to go, Hawk Mountain having set a steady pace in front with Action racing prominently and Benvenuto Cellini close up in third. Entering the final furlong Benvenuto Cellini was the first to crack, unable to go with his two stablemates who fought out the finish, Hawk Mountain found that little bit extra inside the last 75 yards to beat Action by half a length with two and three quarters to Benvenuto Cellini.