O'Brien's Confidence in Luxembourg's Progression as He Matures

‘We believe we are yet to witness his true potential,’ asserts the Ballydoyle mastermind.

Luxembourg, a multiple Group One victor, is set to kick off his season at the Howden Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh this Saturday. Trainer Aidan O’Brien anticipates a stellar comeback from the five-year-old this year.

His recent performances saw him narrowly miss out on victory in the Hong Kong Cup, following strong showings in the Irish Champion Stakes and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes where he secured second place in both races. Despite these near misses, Luxembourg clinched a notable triumph in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in May.

There were deliberations about launching his campaign in the prestigious Saudi Cup and exploring the prospect of testing him on dirt for the first time. However, the decision was made to stick to turf for the time being.

O’Brien expressed his excitement, stating,

“We’re eagerly anticipating it. We were pleasantly surprised by his performance on the (dirt) track. He’s an imposing, long-striding horse with great potential. We are convinced that his best is yet to come, and both this year and the next hold great promise for him”. 

“He’s a sizeable horse with a long stride, and such horses typically require time to fully harness their strength, usually until they are four or five years old. Initially, he had a slender frame, but he’s gradually building up his physique,”

O’Brien added.

Initially considering participation in the Saudi Cup, O’Brien acknowledged its allure as one of the most electrifying races globally. However, a last-minute decision was made to prioritise Luxembourg's well-being early in the season. The prospect of competing in Dubai, potentially on grass, remains on the horizon.

In addition to Luxembourg, other notable contenders in the race include Astro King owned by Daniel and Claire Kubler, The Foxes trained by Andrew Balding, Jack Darcy from John and Thady Gosden, and Spirit Dancer, the Bahrain International Trophy winner, represented by Richard Fahey.

At the same event, O’Brien pins his hopes on Tower Of London, who is set to compete in the Red Sea Turf Handicap over a mile and seven furlongs. The four-year-old, a two-time winner last season, narrowly missed a Group Three victory at Newmarket. Despite a lengthy break since his last race, O’Brien is optimistic about Tower Of London's chances and believes he is well-prepared for a strong showing.

“He’s had a considerable break and is carrying some weight, but his training has been impressive,”

O’Brien remarked.

“We’ve always believed that this distance and race type suit him. Despite the weight he carries, he’s a classy horse, and we anticipate a solid performance from him when ridden patiently and tactfully”.