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    Joseph O’Brien weighs his options for his Group One-winning colt
Joseph O’Brien weighs his options for his Group One-winning colt
Al Riffa. Source: irishracing.com

Joseph O’Brien weighs his options for his Group One-winning colt

As Joseph O'Brien weighs his options for his Group One-winning colt, he is finding great motivation in Al Riffa's comeback run in the Prix Ganay.

After winning the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes when he was two years old, he was expected to be a favourite for Classic honours going into his third season. However, injury problems cut short his run and prevented him from returning until July.

Although he actually only competed twice in the 2023 season, his second race, in which he finished just behind Arc hero Ace Impact in Deauville's Prix Guillaume d'Ornano, demonstrated that he still had talent. Following this, he returned to Group One company when he travelled back to France to make his reappearance.

Al Riffa's handler is now considering races both at home and abroad for the Wootton Bassett son after finishing fourth in the 10-furlong event by less than a length.

“It was a really good run and he was only just beaten in a tactical enough race,” said O’Brien. “We were very pleased considering it was a comeback run and he will hopefully have an exciting season ahead of him. He has quite a few options in both Europe and America and we will see how he is and make a plan with his owners over the next week or so.”

The Owning Hill trainer is upbeat about the future of Tasleet's daughter, who has a tonne of big race entries coming up, including options at Royal Ascot (Duke of Cambridge Stakes) and the Curragh's Group One Pretty Polly Stakes.

“She won very nicely and it is nice to get her season started off well,” said O’Brien. “We’re excited about her prospects for later in the year. We’ll probably stick at 10 furlongs and it opens up a few more options for her as well. She is a filly we hope will be progressive and consistent at a high level this year. She will probably find herself in a Group One race at some stage.”

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