BHA questions Aidan O’Brien’s lame excuses
It has not been a great seven days for Aidan O’Brien.
First the horse was who supposed to be a half-brother to Pegasus was found to have had his wings firmly clipped, those that he did run in the weekend’s Classics failed to ruffle any significant feathers and then there was a loud thud on the doormat as the trainer received an invitation from the BHA for tea and questions.
O'Brien has been charged by the BHA following Cape Blanco's victory in the Dante Stakes at York last month. After the colt had beaten Workforce by three-and-a-quarter lengths there was widespread interest in the fact that Cape Blanco appeared to be lame.
In the days before the race O’Brien had made public the fact that the horse had sustained a slight injury which he described as a “little nick at the back of his heel”. O’Brien then refused requests to allow his travelling head man, Pat Keating, to trot the horse up in front of the BHA's veterinary officer and the senior racecourse veterinary surgeon as part of their examination of the colt. At the time O’Brien, who was not present on the track, was quoted as saying: “It's the most insane thing I've ever heard. Why would you want to trot him again on a bruised heel and cause him more pain?”
O’Brien has been charged with breaches of Rule (A)37 and (B)83, in that he encouraged and/or caused Keating to refuse to comply with two instructions given by the York stewards. The first breach refers to refusing to allow the examination by the racecourse vets and the second is for refusing to allow his representative to attend the subsequent stewards’ enquiry.
Just for good measure O’Brien is also charged with a breach of Rule (A)30.1, which refers to “acting in a manner prejudicial to the conduct and/or good reputation of horseracing in Great Britain.”
Keating is charged with two breaches of Rule (B)83 regarding his failure to comply with the same instructions and a disciplinary panel hearing will be convened in due course.
It will doubtless be O’Brien’s contention that Cape Blanco was already being prepared for his flight back to Ireland and - given the rigorous standards he applies in such matters - there was never an issue in terms of the horse’s wellbeing. However, there is also the perception of whether O’Brien actions is perceived as him putting himself above the Rules of the sport.
Last year the trainer fell foul of the authorities after his six Derby runners arrived in the parade ring some 20 minutes late and in 2008 O’Brien was fined £5,000 after a BHA enquiry into “team tactics” following Duke Of Marmalade’s victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes.
While it is fair to say that the BHA are not taking the matter lightly there are likely to be more pressing matters preying on O’Brien’s mind. Just two weeks ago he had the first four market leaders for the Investec Derby. It was a veritable embarrassment of riches, most of which appears to have turned to fool’s gold.
The future of St Nicholas Abbey remains in some doubt, after he was scratched from the Derby with a muscle injury, and, even allowing for the loss of both front shoes in the Derby, still has 11½ lengths to make up on Workforce on their running in the Derby. Six Group winners from 62 runners in Britain and Ireland but three from 52 – or 5% - for his Classic generation is likely to be a cause for concern.
The upcoming Royal Ascot meeting has often provided rich pickings for O’Brien and he may well be looking to his senior division. Rip Van Winkle could make his return in either the Queen Anne or Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. If O’Brien takes the first option he could decide to run Fame And Glory in the Prince Of Wales’s.
Last year’s Irish Derby winner has been earning his keep this season with four starts already this season including Group One Victories in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and Investec Coronation Cup. After Friday’s win at Epsom O’Brien said: “He’s tactically very quick now. We’ll maybe have a look at the Prince of Wales’s Stakes for him next as he’s very pacey but we’ll see how he is.”
A change of pace for the fortunes of O’Brien’s horse cannot come quickly enough.
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