Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), winner of the G1 Investec Derby in June, could be seen at the Breeders' Cup next following his fine effort to be third in the G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown on Saturday. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt chased stablemate Sovereign (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) home in the G1 Duby Duty Free Derby at The Curragh on June 29. He was down the field in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot won by Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), but bounced back with an excellent run at Leopardstown on Saturday, a race which O'Brien dominated with Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) winning and Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) finishing a head in front of Anthony Van Dyck.
O'Brien said, “We were delighted with him. We knew that Ascot was a non event with the ground and we knew we could put a line through that run. It was great to see him come back that way. It was his first run back after a break so we look forward to him the next day.
“We had it in our head that he would go to the [GI] Breeders' Cup Turf. He's a lovely moving, good ground horse. Obviously he's in the [G1 Qatar Prix de l'] Arc [de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 6], but he could go straight there. The lads said they might keep him in training next year, which would be exciting for us.”
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