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A O'Brien - Master of the Dark Arts
A O'Brien - Master of the Dark Arts
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Replies: 116
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Helped to deliver Montjeu's imperious KG. My best day's racing.
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Exactly.
A slightly different Minnie Hawk today though  |
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How can jockeys of pacemakers be considered to be doing everything within the rules to obtain the
best possible placing? Surely a jockey on a front runner who wanted the horse to run it's best would go to the lead and then slow it down ,recover from the initial effort and then kick again? Like our interference rules this pacemaker rule is a total nonsense! |
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Like the "loveable" JPM,Coolmore are largely "untouchable"
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A horse ridden at the front, whether it be a pacemaker or running on its merit, its fate will be decided by its jockey. However, what happened in the St James's yesterday was neither. It was running to aid its stablemate, Gstaad,by occupying a position to facilitate Gstaad at the critical juncture in the race; he was engineering a smooth passage next to the rail for Gstaad by coming off the rail to the left.
I hope the next time this "team tactic" is deployed, causing an impede or not, the stewards must issue a heftier suspension to the same connections. Horseracing is not a team sport, and this "cheating" behaviour must be stopped for the good of the sport. |
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Do you take stupid tablets,Implausible?
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The following is AOB's explanation of yesterday's race;
Asked if he disagreed with the suggestion team tactics were used, O'Brien said: “There’s no doubt about that. I always say when we put horses in a race, they’re in there for one thing. It’s to make sure there’s an even pace for everybody. That’s the only reason. "Then you come out of the race and you know what trip your horse wants, and whether your horse is good enough to run against those horses or not. If it’s a muddle, you don’t know what’s going to happen and nobody knows. It’s inconclusive for everybody.” When O'Brien was asked whether the stewards took the right action, he replied: “The stewards are the ones that make the decision. Rules are rules, the stewards have their job to do and that’s the way it is. “I thought both horses would be very forward and I thought one could be leading. I thought Christophe might be leading because his horse won making the running twice last year in a Group 1 and that’s why Christophe was on him. I thought he would lead and I thought Ryan would be sitting second. That’s the way I read it. “I don’t know what happened. I saw it like everyone else.” Strangely enough I think he is talking utter cobblers |
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Two points, first can we have less C&P please?!
 Second is this quote, "Then you come out of the race and you know what trip your horse wants, and whether your horse is good enough to run against those horses or not. If it’s a muddle, you don’t know what’s going to happen and nobody knows. It’s inconclusive for everybody.” If this is the case then why did he run a miler in last years Derby? Why was Albert talked up as a Guineas horse? It’s total bs. |
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So how did you view the effort by Devils advocate today? He was never intended to win the race although if he had gone a bit slower for the first 5 furlongs he might have been placed. The rest of the field ignored him.
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O'Brien's statements are even less convincing than Trump's and that is saying something.
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I recall Andre Fabre saying that even in a slow tempo the class horse will win.
Sosie never needed a pacemaker to win the 1m 1f DISPHAN nor did Daryz. |
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I don’t see how the pacemakers in the POW today helped the race or pace in any way, except the winner who like last year was held up in last off of a strong gallop as he was last year.
The first reaction to his win last year was that there was a pace collapse. 12f horses were treading water at the end of this compared to Rewilding who was held up and ran on strong. Buick had sitting ducks in front of him to aim at. |
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Watch back last years Champion, see where the 1st and 2nd sat.
Calandagan and Ombudsman. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptw3pqBjthw Today he ran by already beaten horses. |
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NS - I've hated Coolmore for about 20 years and there is so much I could focus on with numerous examples.
Aidan does seem to be a genuinely decent guy but I can't stand listening to his incessant búllshit! I cannot believe more pundits don't say it just as it is - he deserves mass ridicule for the shíte he spouts. Remember the legendary speed which Galileo was supposed to have...that the July Cup was there for the taking? Funny that...as a 2f shorter trip was the reason Fantastic Light found a couple of lengths on him from Ascot  Every season he's hailing half a dozen 'wonder horses' who'd get nosebleeds if they reached the heights of 130! In summary...I think he's not got a clue as we saw YET AGAIN on Derby Day! He's a very helpful gent and always polite & accommodating but despite the frequent interviews...he NEVER tells you ANYTHING remotely useful...or truthful! We glean what we can through the betting. He's breaking records that will likely remain for a lifetime and this may sound very churlish to many of you but he IS NOT the genius they keep reminding us about...just in case we forgot our brainwashing! Just how many horses have they had in now three decades which have reached the elevated heights of an official 130 rating? Only Galileo (130) along with that ridiculous 137 for Hawk Wing...and that was due to one inexplicable, anomalous performance. He was given an embarrassing official mark of 137 which is absolutely senseless...as it puts him higher than Sea The Stars, Troy, Dubai Millennium & Montjeu to name a few which is ludicrous & absolutely laughable! I do believe Aidan's LOWERED the bar...despite having a virtual monopoly of the best bloodstock to choose from. It's a poor substitute/comparison when someone compares official ratings & class with an overall resume of G1 wins when those performers can be a stone inferior to genuine historical champions! Don't we all love brilliance? Cecil, Stoute, Vincent et al had numerous far superior performers despite having far fewer superbly bred candidates. Does anyone really believe he's superior to Vincent or Henry...or many others I could name? His very best horses CANNOT compare to Stoute's or some of the aforementioned legends. It's ALL about rattling up the numbers of Group Ones with them...NOT quality. I despise their conveyor belt of relentless bluebloods who never have the panache of the greats going back. It's arguable that City Of Troy is as good as he's had but they weren't so adventurous or sporting in running away to stud with him were they? The #myth' would've been exposed...that's why! An improved 4yo Calandagan would've reigned supreme and improved past him- the official ratings actually say so too. I keep stating the obvious in that Coolmore has an unstoppable conveyor belt of ammunition bred in the purple which we've NEVER seen the likes of and sheer numbers means the rest can't compete and he can't fail - it's like having a penalty with an open goal! It is NOT that he's TOO smart for the rest...and that's a huge insult to Gosden, Cumani, Haggas et al. It's got that bad with me that even when I haven't got a bet in a race, I can't help cheering on something else when they've been locked in a battle - it's a kick as if I'd actually won money! Bow Echo yesterday was a prime example. If were talking about achievements then it's an A* but for quality of horses (considering the fail-proof ammunition) then it's probably a D- as I suspect ANY half-decent professional trainer could achieve likewise...and possibly even squeeze out a bit more. Just imagine what Vincent, Stoute or Cecil could've achieved with the firepower Aidan's had! |
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Surely Ballydoyle would have wanted Gstaad sat just behind Puerto Rico.
The start was messy, with the Amo horse and Rico coming from wide looking for the rail. Bow Echo was not the only one inconvenienced. As for the home turn, was this any different from Richard Hills on Give The Slip, allowing Fantastic Light to slip up the rail Vs Galileo? A lot of hot air about nothing. |
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Knock em bandy,nutty brandy
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herbie, you posted exactly my thoughts ,super post.
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Thanks EJ - it makes a refreshing change to have bonafide common sense & FACTS appreciated on here - the majority just haven't got the wisdom of some excellent posters who were on here 15 yrs ago.
I just can't understand why everyone's under his spell and nobody will speak about it (for fear of reprisals like no more interviews) but there are a few who come armed with experience & knowledge who despite not being around would definitely be in MY camp. PS - I'd welcome retaliation from the fanboys...as the FACTS are on my side |
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Interviewer "What did you make of Christophe Soumillon's ride"?
AOB "Look obviously delighted, over the moon, Claude and Claudette brought him up, Chantelle looks after him at home. Delighted for the lads, Jean=Paul, Kilian, Pascal and Jacques." |
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The big difference between Aiden and the list of Champion trainers of the past is partly the number of horses he has to choose from for every Group 1 race. He probably had 8 that might have won the Derby if everything was in their favour (fitness, going, tactics etc.) Even the likes of Cecil and Stoute only had 1 or 2 each year and if things were not in their favour they either didn't run or didn't win.
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Sage - that's what I'm saying so in a nutsác..Aidan's ALL about quantity NOT quality!
All considered, they have had very few QUALITY horses and that barometer must be quantified on ratings, not resumés...as someone's gotta win the G1s. I remember seeing what I figured was a improving high class prospect in Give The Slip (Ebor winner) being purchased by Godolphin to be used as a pacemaker for Fantastic Light - I knew they'd ruin that horse (which they duly did) as he was sacrificed - couldn't stand the fcúkers for that but Coolmore use proven G1 winners (not prospects) in that role and we've seen it many times. I do actually like the odd one - HIgh Chaparral was a tremendous campaigner back in the day. |
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I've forgotten which horse won the Epsom Derby 2026. However, I remember it was run on 6th June. And, I can remember which horse won 2000G 2026.
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Looked like might be Lordan again there at one point.
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Herbie, enjoyed reading that, yes when considering greatness perhaps we should apply the example we often use in football when considering Pep's greatness, stick Aiden into a struggling northern yard run on a shoestring and let him show us how great he is
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I'd be happy if AOB draws a blank today. A bit of variety is preferred even in horseracing.
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I think AOB's greatest skill is the fact, and even Herbie mentions it, is despite the negatives we feel toward the operation, it is still very hard to not actually like the man as he always comes across as a "really pleasant individual" I like to think that it is not a front and how he comes across as a man is real.
Substitute his demeanour with that of what was typically Stoute's in his heyday and the feeling toward him and the operation would be even more negative than it is now. |
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duffy,he's a gent. Seen him go the extra mile with racegoers here at minor meetings in Ireland. Very hard not to actually like the man.
Previous posters. Coolmore are both quantity and quality. |
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Quantity - Yes. None a smidgeon of Frankel, Dancing Brave, Montjeu, Sea The Stars or even Golden Horn.
Quality - No what was their last quality Epsom Derby winner? I cannot remember What was their last quality 3-yr old ARC winner? Zilch So many runners in the big races, why? Lacking confidence and most were riding shotguns for the principal (fav) runner. Horse are like humans. If one only breeds with one within their offspring is very unlikely to be much better eg a superstar. |
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I think you have the wrong O'Brien. His son could teach his dad a few tricks. Made even more nauseating by having his PR man bigging him and his jock up every five minutes. 50/60 losers every fortnight.
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I do not do horses from Joseph's stable esp shorties, period. There had been several odds-on taken a walk into the wilderness and "2nd string" backed from double digits, won or gifted the race. Tbh I very seldom back anything in Ireland.
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Jumper45 - who would you nominate as 'the quality'?
There's not a single performer who you could say was worthy of sniffing the árses of the elite of the game! AND even the second tier like Daylami, Pilsudski, Singspiel, Mtoto, Montjeu etc...are FAR superior! There's not a single one who could break into the top 100 yet the ludicrous bélléndry I heard about in 2024 that victory for City Of Troy in the Breeders' Cup Classic would elevate him into the 'TOP THREE OF ALL TIME' is utter LINACY - I really don't know how such góbshítes have jobs! They should be signing on...with crayons  Please don't give me that búllshít about Hawk Wing as I've already mentioned him...and if you're talking about Galileo or City Of Troy, then get the fine-toothed comb out and you'll realise why they didn't keep either of them around at 4yo. It must be said that everyone draws a line through their disappointing BCC runs as at least they had the bálls to roll the dice and give it a go...and IMMORTALITY would've rightfully awaited. |
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Rock. Ironically enough.
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Montjeu was obviously nothing to do with AOB, not even trained in Ireland. And most definitely first tier!
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Cider - I loved the horse and I remember thinking he was the best 12f horse I'd seen in 15 yrs since Dancing Brave but...
there's another step up to the absolute elite over the decades and I'd reluctantly say NO as his career petered out like a damp squib, with three below par runs, so it's doubtful he joins those ranks of Frankel, Sea Bird, Nijinsky, Sir Ivor, Shergar, El Gran Senor, Dubai Millennium, Troy, Sea The Stars et al. |
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Does Dubai Millenium really deserve to be in that list? I've never thought so myself
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thank god that camelot didnt win the leger, or we be hearing that he was the greatest horse by coolmore and their fans, camelot won the worst derby imo ever as for opposition, and the gns win wasnt much better ,
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Duffy - not a personal fav of mine but I'd reluctantly have to concede that he had a nigh-on perfect career.
I think I've a habit of throwing him in just to shut the Godolphin fanboys up I would've been well behind Montjeu if that famous duel ever threatened to happen...a la Dawn Run/Buck House. |