Aidan O'Brien is set to make a significant impact at the Cambridgeshire Meeting with a strong lineup of juvenile horses led by Whistlejacket. Key highlights include Whistlejacket's planned run in the Middle Park Stakes following an impressive victory in the Prix Morny and Lake Victoria's potential participation in the Cheveley Park Stakes. Other notable entries include Monumental, Ides Of March, Heavens Gate, and Ballet Slippers. The event promises thrilling races showcasing top-class juvenile talent.
Aidan O'Brien leads a strong juvenile team at Cambridgeshire Meeting
Whistlejacket to run in Middle Park Stakes, with success in Prix Morny
Lake Victoria may race in Cheveley Park Stakes; other notable entries include Monumental, Ides Of March, Heavens Gate, and Ballet Slippers
Ryan Moore riding Whistlejacket win The Kingdom Of Bahrain July Stakes at Newmarket. (Getty)
Aidan O'Brien will be well-represented in the juvenile races at this week's Cambridgeshire Meeting, with Whistlejacket captaining his squad of two-year-olds.
Ryan Moore rode Whistlejacket to a tremendous victory in the July Stakes earlier in the season. O'Brien's colt then suffered a narrow defeat in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, but bounced back a couple of week's later in France, beating Rashabar in the Prix Morny.
"The Middle Park Stakes is the plan for Whistlejacket," said Aidan O'Brien when he spoke to the press on Monday.
"We were delighted with him in the Prix Morny and he's been in good form since."
"He has an incredible temperament, it’s unbelievable how chilled he is, and his brother was the same. (He is) totally engrossed in his own life, he doesn’t see much outside of his own mind. It’s very unusual and a very big asset to a horse."
"He’s very quick. It'll probably be the Middle Park next and then the Breeders’ Cup after that."
Round Tower Stakes winner, Ides Of March and National Stakes runner-up, Henri Mattise also feature in the betting for Saturday's Middle Park Stakes, but only the former is likely to join Whistlejacket in the field.
"Ides Of March could run with him." O'Brien continued. "He's a powerful, fast horse and he finds it easy to go quick. He's big and he's strong. He was professional and grew up a lot the last day."
“I think he's versatile (ground-wise). Wootton Bassetts handle soft ground as well and he handles fast ground very easy, he's a very good mover. The mare was a very good mare in America."
"It looks like Henri Matisse might go to France for the Lagardere, but we'll see."
Wayne Lordan riding Lake Victoria (orange/blue) challenge wide and late to win The Moyglare Stud Stakes at Curragh. (Getty)
Ger Lyon's Babouche, who beat Whistlejacket in the Phoenix Stakes, tops the market for the preceding Cheveley Park Stakes. Ryan Moore will likely partner another unbeaten filly in Lake Victoria, who could be turned out quickly following her victory in the Moyglare Stud Stakes two weeks ago.
"We were thinking of the Cheveley Park Stakes for Lake Victoria before the Moyglare and it's very possible she could run." O'Brien explained. "Before she ran at the Curragh we didn't think she would have any problem going down to six furlongs."
"She won the first day (in June). She got to the front and was very green. Her pace took her there and she won. She went to Newmarket and Seánie (Levey) won on her, she won very impressively. She’s a very classy filly.”
Before we see the likes of Lake Victoria and Whistlejacket strut their stuff on the Rowley Mile, Aidan O'Brien has a couple of interesting runners over the first two days of the Cambridgeshire Meeting.
Ryan Moore will arrive on Thursday to partner with Champagne Stakes runner-up Monumental, as he enters the Tattersalls Stakes. On Friday, O'Brien has six fillies entered in the Rockfel Stakes, including Heavens Gate and Ballet Slippers. Shackleton and Isambard Brunel could also represent Ballydoyle in the seven furlong maiden on Friday afternoon.
