It’s been 26 years since Aidan O’Brien won his first King George with the great Galileo. Despite only winning three since, O’Brien believes Benvenuto Cellini has what it takes to emulate his grandsire.
The Frankel colt couldn’t match Galileo’s Epsom heroics after getting his leg caught in the stalls. However, he was able to replicate his Irish Derby triumph, beating Epsom hero Christmas Day. While he’ll have to step up once more, Aidan O’Brien believes he has the ability to do so.
Speaking to the Press Association, via At The Races, O’Brien said: “We think he’s a very high-quality, classy horse on fast ground. He’s probably a bit quicker than Galileo was. But he moves like him and we think he’s brave like he was too.
“There’s no better mile-and-a-half race anywhere. It’s a difficult race, usually run on fast ground and it’s run at Ascot too, which is a very special place. You need a horse that stays.
“They have to have class and it’s where the three-year-olds meet the older horses for the first time.”
Minnie Hauk with a live chance en-route to the Breeders’ Cup
Aidan O’Brien also sends Minnie Hauk, who looked to be back to form when second to Calandagan last time out. The Frankel filly completed an Oaks quartet last season prior to finishing second in the Arc.
O’Brien said: “We ran her in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes with a view to coming back for the King George .And we thought that was probably her best run ever. The extra couple of furlongs should really suit her.”
Minnie Hauk potentially felt the effects of a long season when midfield in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. However, O’Brien is keen to return there again. “The Breeders’ Cup is massive,” said O’Brien. We went there last year and got things wrong tactically. You can’t go anywhere better, it’s where all the horses meet. It’s very competitive racing at good tracks and the atmosphere is second to none.
“Benvenuto Cellini could go too. He’s a horse that will enjoy travelling and he’s a great mover. He would be fine coming back to a mile and a quarter. And I think you need that kind of pace at the Breeders’ Cup.
“He’s an easy horse to train who doesn’t take a lot of work so it could suit him perfectly.”