Pledge Sports

Menu

Auguste Rodin Could Be Set for Dominant Year

Irish raider Auguste Rodin bounced back from a poor showing in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket to win the Epsom Derby on his second start of the campaign. The three-year-old colt appreciated the step up in distance at Epsom, where he gave his trainer Aidan O’Brien a ninth success in the British Classic.

Here is a look at what could be next for Auguste Rodin, and why this year could get even better for the Derby winner.

Royal Ascot Bound

The son of former Japanese star Deep Impact has an entry in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. That’s a route many Derby winners have taken following their victory at Epsom. He is +800 with Paddy Power to win that Group Two contest.

The odds converter with the bookmaker indicates that if you place $10 on Auguste Rodin for the King Edward VII Stakes, you will pick up $80 profit. Given how well he stayed the 1m4f distance at Epsom, he is sure to be a popular selection to add to his tally at the royal meeting.

Irish Derby Double

If successful at the Curragh in the Irish Derby, Auguste Rodin would become the 19th horse in history to complete the Classic double. As the Guardian reported, Harzand was the last horse to do so in 2016. More recently, horses which have just fallen short at Epsom have gone on to prevail in the Irish equivalent of the race, including Hurricane Lane (2021) and Westover (2022).

O’Brien’s colt could take on King of Steel again in the Irish Derby, the horse which finished less than a length behind him at Epsom. Some of the other challengers are likely to come from his own stable, with Paddington and Cairo both entered.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a race that sees the best open-age turf horses from around the world compete for the premier prize in Europe. In the last 10 years, Treve, Golden Horn and Enable all won the race as three-year-olds, with Golden Horn being the only Derby winner in that period to triumph in Paris.

Given its prestige, the Arc is likely to be the primary focus for O’Brien and the Ballydoyle team for the rest of the season. He will receive weight from the older horses in the race and if victorious, the colt will give his Irish trainer a third win in the French contest.

Breeders’ Cup Trip 

The final assignment in 2023 for Auguste Rodin is likely to be at the Breeders’ Cup Championship at Santa Anita. O’Brien has won the Breeders’ Cup Turf a record six times. High Chapparal completed the Derby and Breeders’ Cup Turf double in 2002 and 21 years later, the later Epsom hero will be looking to emulate that achievement. The Irishman has been one of the leading European trainers at the North American meeting over the last decade. 

Whatever path O’Brien chooses to go down with his talented colt, it is set to be an exciting year for the Ballydoyle team. The horse has shown he has the potential to be one of the best colts of his age group for some time in the sport.

 

 

Previous Article Next Article