Rogue Millennium, a high-priced purchase, is gearing up to defend her Duke of Cambridge Stakes crown as part of Joseph O’Brien's team at Royal Ascot. The mare, previously trained by Tom Clover in the UK, narrowly won the one-mile Group Two race at the prestigious event last year against Random Harvest.
After being sold for 1,650,000 guineas at Tattersalls in December, Rogue Millennium moved to Ireland to be trained by O’Brien on behalf of owner Scott Heider. Despite a disappointing return at the Lanwades Stud Stakes in the Curragh, O’Brien is optimistic about her chances in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.
In addition to Rogue Millennium, O’Brien's team includes promising two-year-old Cowardofthecounty, who impressed with a debut victory at the Curragh. The colt is set to race in the Coventry Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot.
While Al Riffa will not be at Royal Ascot, the international competitor is expected to race at Ascot in his next start after finishing sixth at Saratoga's Manhattan Stakes. O’Brien is eyeing the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes for the Group One-winning two-year-old.