Mark Twain famously wrote ‘the report of my dying was an exaggeration’, after his obituary had been mistakenly revealed.
That was again in 1897, however an identical sentiment might nicely apply to Aidan O’Brien’s 2026 Flat marketing campaign which was this week analysed utilizing Timeform’s ‘Run to Kind’ metric.
The microscopic scrutiny carried out by the racing organisation revealed that this July is essentially the most unsuccessful month on report for the Ballydoyle handler for the reason that metric was first launched 14 years in the past.
However not solely that, Timeform additionally revealed their information confirmed that the present Flat season represents the worst for O’Brien since 2012.
Not a terrific omen then for his 4 runners in at the moment’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
O’Brien goes looking for his fifth success in the summertime showpiece and may Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini prevail, it is going to be his first victory with a three-year-old within the Group One since 2001 with Galileo.
However hold on… it appears simply 5 minutes in the past that the speak in racing was about O’Brien chasing his personal report of Group One wins in a season off the again of a record-equalling seven successes at Royal Ascot.
Benvenuto Cellini goes off at round 5-1 at the moment, behind favorite and defending champion Calandagan
That array of victories got here laborious on the heels of Christmas Day’s Betfred Derby win at Epsom and preceded an excellent show by Structure River within the Coral-Eclipse.
Certainly reviews of his demise are untimely.
A Thursday night time Group race double at Leopardstown could sign the Ballydoyle machine is about to crank again into full gear following a quick mid-summer malaise.
One factor we are able to all tackle belief is that it’ll not be lengthy earlier than O’Brien is as soon as once more namechecking his total roster of employees following one other Group One win.
Who is aware of, it could possibly be after at the moment’s fabulous characteristic, however with equine stars from world wide tackling Benvenuto Cellini and Minnie Hauk, each Ballydoyle contenders shall be required to publish clear profession bests to prevail.
The market favours final yr’s conquering hero Calandagan, who’s again to defend his crown. He renews rivalry with Japanese raider Masquerade Ball, who ran him to a head in an epic renewal of the Japan Cup in Tokyo final November.
Calandagan loved a Saint-Cloud confidence booster three weeks in the past following his Coronation Cup no-show, whereas Masquerade Ball misplaced nothing in defeat making an attempt to outspeed the imperious Romantic Warrior on his dwelling patch at Sha Tin in the spring.
The outdated adversaries type a formidable highway block for his or her rivals to navigate, however might final yr’s runner-up Kalpana, the house crew’s sole consultant in a cosmopolitan affair, bother the abroad posse and hand coach Andrew Balding an emotional success?
Aidan O’Brien has not gained the King George with a three-year-old since 2001
Andrew’s father, Ian, gained this prize 55 years in the past with one among Flat racing’s all-time greats within the mighty Mill Reef and, though Balding’s mare couldn’t but be talked about in these circles, she has at the very least accrued a powerful Ascot report.
Her handler is definitely optimistic and his confidence was elevated when his star mare labored nicely within the lead-up to this race as she bids to show round a size defeat by Calandagan in final yr’s renewal.
‘She labored very well, and I’m very joyful along with her,’ reported Balding.
‘We had been struggling to get weight off her final yr, however this yr it appears to be simpler.
‘She’s excellent on her day and loves Ascot, so I’m fairly certain she’ll be there or thereabouts. Calandagan is an excellent horse. We couldn’t match him final yr, however who is aware of this yr?’
