O'Brien takes big guns to America for Classic showdown

Who needs Big Brown? A day after the abrupt retirement of the Kentucky Derby winner had left a void at the heart of the Breeders' Cup Classic, Aidan O'Brien filled the breach with an unexpected solution to the dilemma dominating the European challenge for the race. Everyone wanted to know whether he would run Duke Of Marmalade or Henrythenavigator on Saturday week. Well, the answer is that he now plans to run both, and the American ace John Velasquez has been booked to ride whichever colt is rejected by the Ballydoyle stable jockey, Johnny Murtagh.

In the United States, the racing public remains deflated by the cruel end to their hopes of a showdown between Big Brown and the older champion, Curlin. To the European audience, however, this stand-off between two horses from the same stable is every bit as intriguing.

True, a season of relentless achievement for Ballydoyle has seemed to take its toll this autumn, and both these colts have shed the aura of invincibility they shared in high summer. Duke Of Marmalade's spree of five consecutive Group One wins came to an end in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, when he could finish only seventh to Zarkava, while Henrythenavigator has been beaten in his last two starts, most recently by Raven's Pass, himself a candidate for the Classic.

Henrythenavigator must also prove his stamina for the extra two furlongs at Santa Anita, while a new surface also raises a question for both colts. At the same time it is the switch from dirt to a synthetic track, for the first time ever, that has made the gamble imperative for their owners at Coolmore Stud. John Magnier and his partners know that the stallion careers of both will be immune to failure, at the end of a gruelling campaign. Conversely, the potential dividends are enormous should either crown their careers with a new peak in the Americans' backyard. In effect, it is a bet to nothing. No wonder Magnier and O'Brien have resolved to double the stakes.

"Both horses have had long seasons," O'Brien acknowledged yesterday. "But we feel they're still in good form, and obviously we think they'll be OK on the surface, though you never know until you try it in race conditions. We have booked Johnny Velasquez to ride one of them, but we don't have to decide which until nearer the time."

Many had assumed that Henrythenavigator would contest the Mile, but his place there will instead be taken by US Ranger. Essentially a disappointing animal, he none the less remains the type that might respond to the bustle and haste of a turning mile. Duke Of Marmalade's alternative target had been the Turf, which will now be left to Soldier Of Fortune, with the pacemaking Red Rocks Canyon for company.

Soldier Of Fortune was awarded a share of third place in the Arc, and as such probably produced the most satisfying performance by any of the Ballydoyle horses during what proved a long weekend in Paris.

The stable still managed a Group One success on the Saturday – its 21st of the year – when Halfway To Heaven won the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket. She, too, will travel to Santa Anita for the Filly and Mare Turf race over 10 furlongs. Her only previous attempt at that kind of trip came in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood in August, when she gave Lush Lashes the slip.

The precious cargo from Co Tipperary to California will also include two candidates for the juvenile turf prizes, introduced to the meeting in the Monmouth deluge last year. Heart Shaped goes for the fillies' race, having made a promising return from a break when staying on for fifth in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket; the extra two furlongs will suit her well. The colts' race is the target for Westphalia, last seen winning the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

These races are not Grade Ones, however, and O'Brien surely has his work cut out now to pass Bobby Frankel's world record of 25 such winners in a year. With some of the horses seeming to fade, much depends on Rip Van Winkle, favourite for the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. He will at least be fresh, having not been seen since July.

Whatever happens, O'Brien has had a monumental season. And much the same must be said of Richard Fahey, who may deal in lesser resources and targets but achieved a notable landmark yesterday when Trumpstoo won at Newcastle. He was Fahey's 100th winner of the year.