Hopes high North Coast can make his Classic mark
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 5 Apr 2026
North Coast could be the flag-bearer for Joseph O’Brien’s three-year-old colts this season, with the French 2000 Guineas on the radar.
The Starman colt was a six-length winner of the Tyros Stakes in the summer and ended his first campaign with a terrific effort at the Breeders’ Cup when third to Gstaad.
“I think we’re probably looking at something like the French Guineas. I think he’s our highest-rated two-year-old from last year,” said O’Brien. “I’d have no problems about him getting a mile and we’ve been quite open that he can go on beyond that as the year goes on.
“He’s a horse we think we might be able to travel a bit with later in the year.”
Hardy Warrior impressed at the Curragh on his reappearance, having finished fourth to Puerto Rico in a Group One in France in the autumn, and is another with Classic aspirations.
“We’re just planning around where he goes next, but we’re thinking he could be a horse for an Irish/German Guineas with one run somewhere between now and then,” said O’Brien.
“He was obviously good on his reappearance in what I think will probably work out to be a decent race. I like the horse of Johnny Murtagh’s (Take Charge Star) that was second. I think he’ll go out beyond a mile as the year goes on.”
O’Brien went on: “Among the fillies for the trials I suppose Thundering On has the pedigree and the form, I wouldn’t be looking too much further than her.
“We’ve a nice filly called Yaupon De Replay, she probably won’t go that far and will stick to sprinting, but she’s a nice filly. We’ve Green Sense, who won the Prix Robert Papin last year, but she’s in a tough spot and might have to go out in trip a little as she has a penalty.”
Al Riffa once again leads the way among O’Brien’s older horses, despite a disappointing run in Dubai.
O’Brien said: “Al Riffa could head out to France for a Group One. It didn’t happen for Al Riffa on the day in Dubai, but Sons And Lovers ran a good race and could run in something like the Belmont Gold Cup. There are some good American staying races I think he’d be suited to.”
Assessing his powerful string further, O’Brien said: “Leinster will probably go down the Saval Beg route. Emit will too, he’s a smart horse rated 111.
“Tennessee Stud could be one for Melbourne. I know he didn’t run well in Saudi, but that didn’t work out for him. He’d be an obvious one to go down that route with. He’ll probably head for the Listed and Group races rather than Group Ones.
“Goodie Two Shoes had a break having not run in Saudi, she’ll be aimed towards Melbourne and is now back cantering.
“Omni Man could go to the Alleged Stakes at the Curragh, I think he could be a Caulfield Cup horse this year.
“Galen ran great in Bahrain and ran great in Hong Kong, but was below par in Saudi, so he’s had a break and he’ll be aimed towards the Wolferton (at Royal Ascot), which he was second in last year.
“Tower Of London is quite a good horse and could start off in the Ormonde at Chester, he’s rated 117 which is very high but if he gets close to that he’ll be a nice horse.”
O’Brien has also taken charge of Alncantor, formerly trained by Andre Fabre.
“Alcantor looks a nice horse, a miler. We’ve been looking at the Heritage Stakes, but if he doesn’t make that there’s another mile race at Leopardstown in early May. I think he probably likes going around a bend. He’s a talented horse and a good one to get,” said O’Brien.
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