Auguste Rodin is eyeing a potential bid in the Japan Cup

Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin is eyeing a potential bid in the Japan Cup later this year, following his next appearance in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Last season’s Derby victor began his four-year-old campaign over 12 furlongs in Meydan, but has since reverted to 10 furlongs, triumphing in both the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Irish Champion Stakes over a mile and a quarter last year.

The impressive victory at Royal Ascot left connections contemplating the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, where Auguste Rodin was considered for a shot at becoming the first Derby winner since Golden Horn in 2015 to claim that prestigious prize. However, it was City Of Troy who was chosen from Ballydoyle to contest the Eclipse, with Auguste Rodin now set for a return to Ascot later this month over 12 furlongs.

Reflecting on the decision, O’Brien remarked, “I suppose the Eclipse did come under consideration, but the lads make the plans about what they would like to do with them, and with Auguste Rodin he has won over a mile and a half last year and is an older horse, he’s had three runs now and two runs before Ascot."

Differentiating between Coolmore's two recent Epsom heroes isn't easy given their champion qualities, both having been considered for the Breeders’ Cup Classic over the past year. Having already tasted success in the Turf at the end-of-season championships in 2023, Auguste Rodin, a descendant of the late Japanese superstar Deep Impact, might be aimed at breaking O’Brien’s Japan Cup duck later this year, while City Of Troy could head to Del Mar.

City Of Troy's path to Del Mar could involve a trip to York next month or his first outing of the year at home. O’Brien is cautious about exposing the son of Justify to dirt before a potential Breeders’ Cup Classic run, considering a visit to Southwell for experience on a similar surface.