He is arguably the greatest horse racing trainer that has ever lived and continues to dominate flat racing across the globe. Aidan O’Brien has won nearly every race you can think of, and even at the age of 53, he is still leading the way in one of the toughest sports in the world.
Known as the ‘Master of Ballydoyle’, after the world-famous racing yard from which he operates, O’Brien holds the record for the most amount of wins in most of the industry’s biggest races, and in 2023 he will look to add to his tallies with another army of equine excellence.
Let’s take a look at some of O’Brien’s top horses for the 2023 season.
Little Big Bear
The standout horse at O’Brien’s disposal this season is last year’s champion two-year-old, Little Big Bear. A winner of four of his five starts last season, he really announced himself on the world stage when annihilating the field in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on his final start.
He is seen as one of the best young sprinters to arrive on the scene in recent seasons, but O’Brien has made the surprising decision of stepping him up in a trip for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. A look at your favourite horse racing betting site will tell you that he is the current 4/1 second favourite for the first Classic of the season, and despite his inexperience at the distance, he should not be ignored.
Auguste Rodin
Not far behind, and maybe even in front of Little Big Bear in Aidan O’Brien’s list of top-class three-year-olds is the hugely talented, Auguste Rodin. An easy winner of the Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Doncaster last season, he looks like a very talented stayer in the making.
The bookmakers and betting sites are also of this opinion, and Auguste Rodin is currently a hot favourite for this year’s 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby at prices of 13/8 and 2/1 respectively. Potentially the best chance of a Triple Crown winner since Camelot’s attempt in 2012, Auguste Rodin is likely to achieve legendary status in 2023.
Auguste Rodin form looks ok doesn't it pic.twitter.com/7HGYq3QNqo
— AIDANOBRIENFANSITE (@aobrienfansite) April 25, 2023
Mediate
Mediate is probably not at the same level as the two horses mentioned above, but the brilliant filly is also set to have a big season against her own sex. Last seen winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in America, the beautifully bred three-year-old was also runner-up on two occasions in Group 1’s in 2022.
The best filly on O’Brien’s books this season, Mediate is considered to be a 4/1 shot for the 1000 Guineas and stands at 12/1 for the Epsom Oaks.
Never Ending Story
Ahead of her stablemate, Mediate, in the Epsom Oaks betting markets is the highly regarded, Never Ending Story. Her trainer has described the three-time winner as potentially one of the biggest improvers that will be seen this year and she is delighting everyone at Ballydoyle with her work at home.
The daughter of the great sire, Dubawi, Never Ending Story is the 10/1 second favourite for the Oaks in 2023 and is considered to be a 14/1 outsider for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. If her trainer is proven right about her potential to improve, those prices may end up being incredible value.
These are just four horses at the disposal of Aidan O’Brien in 2023. The master trainer will also be represented by a huge team of top-level performers in the world’s greatest flat races, and we are likely to see more Ballydoyle brilliance throughout the season.
