After recording a treble with exciting 2-year-olds Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Promise To Be True (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and new 'TDN Rising Star' Douglas Macarthur (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at Leopardstown on Thursday evening, trainer Aidan O'Brien sent out a few of his seasoned stable stars for light work after racing.
Among them was US Army Ranger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has not been seen since his second in the G1 Investec Derby June 4 and who cantered on the Leopardstown course. O'Brien said the previously unbeaten dark bay could drop down in class and trip for the 10-furlong G3 Royal Whip S. at The Curragh Aug. 21.
“US Army Ranger is getting ready to come back,” O'Brien confirmed. “We've been very happy with him. He had a break and is just back in. We could look at The Curragh with him–maybe the Royal Whip.”
Also cantering was last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a last-out second in the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot, and the 4-year-old filly is also targeting The Curragh next month.
“Found just did a canter,” O'Brien noted. “We're very happy with her and we'll have a look at something like the Royal Whip or maybe the fillies' race at The Curragh [the Snow Fairy S. Aug 28].”
Order Of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), winner of the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, also made an appearance, and he is preparing for the G3 Irish St Leger Trial S., which he won last year en route to an impressive victory in the main event, at The Curragh Aug. 20.
O'Brien also offered an update on last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf S. winner Hit It A Bomb (War Front). That Evie Stockwell colourbearer has not raced this season, but O'Brien said he could start out in the G3 Desmond S. at The Curragh Aug. 11.
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