Globetrotting King Joseph O’Brien Has Neom Turf Cup Plan For Al Riffa

[Wandering Eyes]

Joseph O'Brien has provided an upbeat bulletin on Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Apples And Bananas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Trustyourinstinct (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), all of whom are on course for targets in Saudi Arabia and Qatar respectively following a key workout at Dundalk last Friday. 

Dual Group 1 scorer Al Riffa, who is set to take part in the Neom Turf Cup at the Saudi Cup meeting next month, heads the travelling squad for the trainer who has masterminded Melbourne Cup and Breeders' Cup successes.

Al Riffa was last seen finishing down the field in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but a positive showing in the Neom Turf Cup could pave the way for a tilt at the Dubai World Cup meeting, with O'Brien firming up plans for his travelling squad on Sunday. 

He said, “Al Riffa is on course for the Neom Turf Cup. The thought would be that he could roll on from Saudi to Dubai World Cup Night at Meydan. The Arc didn't set up for us–he raced wide and it was hard to make up any ground at the business end of the race. That is just about the only disappointment he's had throughout his career and we're very happy to put a line through that performance and rebuild towards what will hopefully be a productive year.”

Al Riffa could be joined in Saudi Arabia by Apples And Bananas, provided the colt makes the cut for the Saudi Derby. A winner of over €600,000 already, largely down to the fact the he landed the Goffs Million last season, Apples And Bananas will be entering into the unknown in Saudi Arabia by racing for the first time on dirt. 

O'Brien said, “He's an intended runner in the Saudi Derby. He was a great horse for us last year and hopefully he can have a strong three-year-old campaign. You never really know about the surface until you try it but he handles faster turf and softer turf. He seems very versatile in that regard. What that translates to on dirt, I don't know, but he's a tough horse and you'd imagine his running style would suit the dirt. 

“I guess there's only one way to find out. They say that a turf horse would have a better chance on the dirt in Saudi than on some of the American dirt tracks. He would have the option of Meydan as well but we'll just see how Saudi goes first.”

He added, “Trustyourinstinct is being aimed at Qatar. He's a really solid and consistent horse. He was unlucky not to win a Group 2 in Italy on his final start last year–just got beaten in a bob of the heads at the line. He's been training well with Qatar in mind. Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) will also continue in Dubai. He'd a good first run after a long layoff and his first start back after being gelded when fourth there last week. He'll run again in Dubai on February 7 and we're excited for his next start.”

O'Brien couldn't be facing into these international targets and the Flat season proper in better form. The stable enjoyed a momentous Christmas period with Banbridge (Ire) being delivered at concert pitch to win the prestigious King George Chase at Kempton before Home By The Lee (Ire) and Solness (Fr) completed O'Brien's Grade 1 hat-trick over the festive period with wins at Leopardstown. 

The latter is out to prove his 28-1 victory in the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase at Christmas was no fluke when lining out in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase over the same course and distance at the Dublin Racing Festival. 

O'Brien said, “Solness will be the main one for the Dublin Racing Festival, I'd say, because he's the Grade 1 winner from Christmas going back over the same course and distance. Banbridge and Home By The Lee are more likely to go straight to Cheltenham.

“We got a huge kick out of the Christmas. To come out of any big festival with a Group 1 or a Grade 1 winner is fantastic. But to have three Grade 1 winners over the Christmas period was extremely special. The horses were all in great shape and, luckily, they've all pulled out of their races well and are being prepared for the spring festivals.

“We're lucky to have Classic hopes this year–Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) for the 2,000 Guineas and Tennessee Stud (Ire) (Wootton Basset {GB}) for the Derby. And we're also lucky to have the horses who are about to chart an international route, so it's a really exciting time. Whether it's a Group 1 on the Flat or a Grade 1 over jumps, it's a privilege to compete in those top races. We get a huge kick out of winning them.”

Asked how he has managed to keep his horses singing and in top form all year round, O'Brien explained, “A lot of it is down to cutting our string of jumpers back and concentrating on quality. The jumps horses we do run, they are here all season, so there is no big turnover within the yard. When we had a bigger number of jumpers, there was a bigger turnover within the yard.

“We really cut the number of jumpers we keep and have been really lucky to maintain the Graded-class horse over jumps. Because the turnover of horses is down, it becomes that bit easier to keep on top of the overall health of the yard. Now, you are never going to rule out ever dirty nose or cough, but we have had a clean run for a while now and long may that last. But it's very special. When you look at a race like the King George at Kempton, for example, winning that race is far beyond anything I ever expected to achieve over jumps.”

Concentrating on the upcoming Flat season, O'Brien revealed that he is not dealing with the same number of two-year-olds as in previous campaigns.

He concluded, “We took in nearly all of our two-year-olds in October. Right after they are broken, they come to us straight away. The vast majority have been in the main yard for at least the past few months. We're slightly down on numbers this year, though, purely because we found it really hard to buy at the yearling sales. But we think we have a nice bunch. As ever, we're excited at this point ahead and are looking forward to the season ahead with them.”

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