‘Absolute freak’ – Aidan O’Brien lifts lid on his new superstar sprinter and immediately sets Royal Ascot target
AIDAN O’BRIEN has lifted the lid on what it’s like training his new ‘absolute freak’ superstar sprinter.
And he has immediately plotted a path to Royal Ascot Group 1 glory with his rapid Australian import.
Storm Boy banged in five wins from ten runs Down Under, amassing almost £2million in prize money.
He was previously trained by top pairing Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott but moved to Ballydoyle after being bought into by Coolmore.
Everything about the three-year-old colt, who is by Justify, screams blistering speed.
His biggest win to date, in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2yo Classic in January last year, saw him finish six furlongs in just 68 seconds.
By way of comparison, Inisherin’s winning time in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot over the same trip was 72 seconds.
O’Brien previously had big success with fellow Australian import Starspangledbanner in 2010, winning the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
And it looks like the sky is the limit for Storm Boy, who will be thrown in at the deep end with one run before a tilt at the very same race.
O’Brien said: “He’s very well. The plan is to go Irish Guineas weekend first for the 6f Group 3 (Greenlands Stakes).
“Then he could go to Ascot for the 6f Group 1 (Jubilee Stakes).
“We weren’t sure when he came out if he was a 6f, 7f or a mile horse.
“But the more we do with him – he’s quick, he’s a fast horse.
“He’ll probably end up at Ascot for the 6f Group 1.”
O’Brien had previously said of Storm Boy: “We’re looking forward to him.
“He’s a big, strong powerful horse – he’s a great traveller and wants to do it.
“He’s a lovely horse, he’s exciting. He’s big and powerful. He’s by Justify and they just don’t stop.”
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