Aidan O’Brien Interview: ‘He could be a Triple Crown horse’
Betfred, proud sponsor of all five British Classics, have put up a £2m reward to connections of any horse that wins the Triple Crown - the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger - this season.
It hasn't been done in 55 years, but the extra incentive provided by Betfred boss Fred Done has excited some of the biggest names in the game.
None more so than leading trainer Aidan O'Brien, who recently sat down with our very own Matt Hulmes at Ballydoyle to discuss the campaign ahead.
He said: "It would mean everything [to have a Triple Crown winner]. It's very difficult to do. Camelot nearly did it."
Odds correct at time of publishing.
He went on: "It's different distances, different tracks, different surfaces, different undulations. I think it would be out of this world - but I think that's what makes it so intriguing. It's incredible that Fred and Betfred have decided to do it, it makes it so exciting.
"For racing in general, I think it's going to make a massive difference."
The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Nijinsky, who was trained by former head of Ballydoyle - where he's been immortalised in the form of a statue - Vincent O'Brien.
Aidan reminisces about the champion racehorse, and talks about what the Classic races mean to both him and everyone at Ballydoyle.
He also shares the characteristics he believes it takes to win each one. A sprinter that stays wins the Guineas. You need balance, courage, mentality and toughness to land the Derby. The Leger requires a Gold Cup-type horse.
The 55-year-old also told Matt a bit more about his big hopes for the Classic races, particularly the 2000 Guineas.
Wootton Bassett colt Twain appears his number one hope for that race at Newmarket on May 3 - and the one, if any, of his three-year-olds that "could be a Triple Crown horse".
Odds correct at time of publishing.
The much-discussed Lion In Winter, who's on track for the Dante at York next month, is at this stage the yard's main hope for the Betfred Derby - while "unique filly" Lake Victoria could be the one for the 1000 Guineas and potentially the Oaks too.
Watch our interview with Aidan O'Brien in full below.
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