Aidan O’Brien has landed in California only to receive disappointing news as two of his top horses were assigned unfavorable starting positions at the Breeders’ Cup.
O’Brien’s impressive season has positioned him close to setting a new record in horse racing, requiring just three more Group 1 victories to match his own world record of 28 wins in a year, as well as one more win to become the most successful trainer in Breeders’ Cup history.
With eight opportunities to enhance his current tally of 20 Cup wins over the weekend, O’Brien’s star performers include Minnie Hauk, the runner-up at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, who will compete in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Additionally, his two-year-olds, Precise and Gstaad, winners of prestigious races, will participate in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf and Juvenile Turf, respectively.
Despite their strong potential, both Precise and Gstaad face challenging starts due to the nature of the Del Mar turf oval, with Precise drawing the widest post at 13 out of 13 and Gstaad at 14.
Following the draw results, bookmakers have adjusted their odds, with Precise now at 11-10 from Evens and Gstaad at 11-10 from 4-5, reflecting the challenges posed by their post positions according to William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps.
While the circumstances may seem daunting, O’Brien can draw optimism from Henri Matisse’s triumph from stall 12 at the Juvenile Turf race at the same venue a year ago.
Having observed his horses on the track for the first time, O’Brien expressed satisfaction, stating that they appeared content and relaxed during their initial outing. He outlined the upcoming schedule for his horses, detailing their preparations leading up to the races.
When asked about the challenging draws, O’Brien acknowledged the randomness of the process, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and the insights of jockey Christophe Soumillon in navigating the races effectively.