Auguste Rodin set to feature in King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this month before likely trip to Juddmonte International at York; Breeders' Cup could be on the agenda at the end of the season for Derby double hero
Wednesday 5 July 2023 13:17, UK
Derby double hero Auguste Rodin looks likely to head to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this month before a trip to York for the Juddmonte International.
A rare son of late Japanese champion Deep Impact, Auguste Rodin gave trainer Aidan O'Brien his 100th European Classic win when Ryan Moore's mount beat stablemate Adelaide River in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday.
Owned in partnership with John and Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith and Georg von Opel's Westerberg racing operation, Michael Tabor's famous royal blue and orange disk silks had previously been carried to victory at Epsom.
Having been the first horse since Harzand in 2016 to follow up victory in the Epsom blue riband, Auguste Rodin is a general 9/4 favourite to win the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 29.
Tabor then feels a drop down to 10 furlongs for the Juddmonte International will feature "high on the agenda" for the colt, with the Breeders' Cup Classic also a possibility at the end of the season.
"He could go down in trip if it presents itself, but at the moment, if you go forward, what is he going to run in? If you do go down in trip, what race would he run in?" Tabor said.
"The Juddmonte International would obviously be on the agenda. The Breeders' Cup Classic is a shot to nothing - that's a tough one - but certainly the Juddmonte is high on the agenda.
"It's a difficult call, but how long is it between the King George and the Juddmonte? It is about three and a half weeks [25 days]. It's enough time [for both races], I should think.
"Aidan knows what to do with the horses, but I would think that is a distinct possibility.
"He's fast enough for 10 furlongs and the Breeders' Cup is a possibility, for sure."
To some observers, his latest length-and-a-half success was unconvincing, a view Tabor agrees with.
He said: "I do think it is fair that people say he was only workmanlike. It wasn't the fastest pace in the world, which didn't suit him and when he hits the front, he only just does enough.
"I think and hope you'll see a lot better horse when he runs next, let's put it that way.
"Only time will tell, but people are right when they look at it, they were not impressed and that was the way it was."
