Post by degs74 on Mar 25, 2011 9:59:25 GMT 1
It could be said that Aidan O’Brien’s fleeting visit to Meydan for Saturday's Dubai World Cup will be more a test of the great Irish trainer’s stamina than that of his horses.
O’Brien is scheduled to leave Ireland late today, fly overnight and land in Dubai first thing on Saturday. Then he is expected to travel to Meydan to run his eye over Cape Blanco, Alexander Pope and Master Of Hounds before freshening himself up for the races.
As soon as the rich World Cup card is over, O’Brien will then head straight to the airport before flying back to Ireland for Sunday’s racing at Leopardstown, where his Classic hope Roderic O’Connor is entered for the 2,000 Guineas Trial.
It’s some schedule just to throw a few saddles on their backs and to brief jockeys Jamie Spencer and Ryan Moore. The Master of Ballydoyle is certain to sleep well on Sunday night.
None of the original owning triumvirate of Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor or Derrick Smith is expected to be at Meydan – though they retain a substantial interest in the horses involved. Dr Jim Hay and his wife Fitri will be occupying the limelight with their first runners from the famous Irish yard.
This renewed Ballydoyle interest in Dubai racing and its enormous prizes, plus the welcoming of new partners in horses, are perhaps a sign that tough financial times in Ireland are affecting everybody.
O’Brien is scheduled to leave Ireland late today, fly overnight and land in Dubai first thing on Saturday. Then he is expected to travel to Meydan to run his eye over Cape Blanco, Alexander Pope and Master Of Hounds before freshening himself up for the races.
As soon as the rich World Cup card is over, O’Brien will then head straight to the airport before flying back to Ireland for Sunday’s racing at Leopardstown, where his Classic hope Roderic O’Connor is entered for the 2,000 Guineas Trial.
It’s some schedule just to throw a few saddles on their backs and to brief jockeys Jamie Spencer and Ryan Moore. The Master of Ballydoyle is certain to sleep well on Sunday night.
None of the original owning triumvirate of Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor or Derrick Smith is expected to be at Meydan – though they retain a substantial interest in the horses involved. Dr Jim Hay and his wife Fitri will be occupying the limelight with their first runners from the famous Irish yard.
This renewed Ballydoyle interest in Dubai racing and its enormous prizes, plus the welcoming of new partners in horses, are perhaps a sign that tough financial times in Ireland are affecting everybody.