There is nothing abstract about classic ambitions for either Henri Matisse or Delacroix after both Aidan O’Brien-trained colts landed Group Three victories at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Delacroix was cut to 10/1 for June’s Epsom Derby following the colt’s dominant front-running performance in the BPW McGrath Ballysax Stakes. Physically last season’s Futurity runner-up looks to have thrived through the winter, and despite conceding weight he made short work of his opposition to win at 4/7.
“He was always babyish and he still is babyish, but he is growing up. I think he’ll come back here (for the Derby Trial) if everything is well, and racing will only help him. We always thought he would stay well, and he’s a fine big, powerful horse. He’ll improve fitness wise,” O’Brien said.
It was a record-extending 12th Ballysax victory for O’Brien and a first since Bolshoi Ballet in 2021. Galileo and High Chaparral in 2001 and 2002 famously used it as a platform towards Derby glory at Epsom and the Curragh.
Willie Mullins keen to make up ground on Dan Skelton in race for British trainers’ title
Delacroix 10/1 for Epsom Derby after impressive return to action in Ballysax
Dermot Weld unwraps a pair of classic prospects at Leopardstown’s first flat meeting of 2025
Aidan O’Brien pitches Group One stars Henri Matisse and Camille Pissarro into weekend classic trials
Henri Matisse also had to concede a penalty in the Ballylinch Trial and the Breeders’ Cup winner eventually came though under Ryan Moore to prove half a length too good for Comanche Brave. Some firms cut the colt to 12/1 for Newmarket’s 2000 Guineas as a result.
O’Brien was non-committal about that, again indicating Twain and Expanded are his most likely Newmarket options, although the French Guineas a week later could come on “Henri’s” radar.
“Ryan said he was a little bit shocked as our horses are only doing half-speeds at home. On the quick ground they went a good gallop and Ryan said he’d definitely be more comfortable going up to a mile. We couldn’t let them all go to the Guineas first time out so that’s why we had to start them earlier,” O’Brien said.
With Moore and O’Brien completing a hat-trick in a later handicap through Serious Contender, the through that Ballydoyle’s best are only doing “half-speeds” won’t do much for their rival’s peace of mind.
Serious Contender justified favouritism from his stable companion Air To Air who had a luckless run up the straight and still only came up half-a-length short.
“Ryan had a grand position and he’s a lovely big horse. We’ll see where he fits in. I think the first two can both go a mile and a half. It was a strong run race, and they weren’t stopping.
“Jack (Cleary)’s horse was only after having two runs and was very green the twice he ran. I didn’t know what he was going to do so I said to Jack to let him get relaxed the first half and see what is going to happen,” O’Brien said.
