How bad has Aidan O'Brien been in America?

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

The difference with Coolmore and Godolphin is that outside the BC Classic, Turf, and Mile, you don't really see Coolmore bring out any of their big guns to the States anymore. Certainly horses like Viscount Nelson and Master of Hounds are useless at the top class level over in Europe. Their entrants in the Juvenile Turf races were minor leaguers. Even Powerscourt was a second stringer.

In other instances, some of these shippers seem to be on display for private purchase. O'Brien has won the Canadian International twice in the last decade and both horses (Ballingarry, Joshua Tree) were sold soon after.

O'Brien's record here is atrocious, but it's not completely shocking as it seems like they're throwing crap against the wall intentionally, hoping it will stick.

This is a really good post.

I do understand your point about Powerscourt but I still can't agree (only slightly though).

He was only at a certain level but he hit the board in so many Group 1s...

Had some very very nice 2nd place finishes... Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1), Scottish Derby, Grosser Dallmayr-Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (G1), 3rd in the Irish Champion and in the BC Turf.

Won the Gold Cup at the Currugh... he ran in Hong Kong, Munich, at Lone Star and Arlington, in Tokyo...

Technically he won the Million twice...

I do see your point but I'd consider him pretty damned close to a top level horse.

Oh and it's really easy to say well I'd never use so and so or who won't hit the board but I'm in the same boat as the people who tossed Master of Hounds completely for both races.

I'm a fan of AOB and all but ummmm no that one had zero shot and I didn't understand the supporters and their reasoning but hey I didn't exactly have the winner eaither, so...

As an aside for any fans of Joshua Tree (Beethoven as well)? THey seem to like Qatar.