Galileo's
champion son Highland Reel (IRE) will shuttle to Swettenham Stud in Victoria this
spring, but for his five year-old full brother Idaho there are still races to
be won and a stylish victory overnight in the Group III Ormonde Stakes at
Chester shows he's on track for a big season.
Placed in the Epsom and Irish Derbies at three, the Aidan O'Brien trained Idaho
won the Group II Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last year before acquitting
himself well, albeit without winning, in five subsequent Group I races which included
the Arc de Triomphe and Japan Cup.
He scored a dominant three and a half length win in the Ormonde Stakes over 1m5
½ f with Ryan Moore in the saddle prompting Aidan O'Brien to be optimistic
about the year head.
"Idaho had a break since Dubai and that's as far as we've run him (since the St
Leger, when he lost his rider). We came here with a view to going back to the
Coronation and King George, but Ryan was very happy with how well he stayed and
we could look at another plan if needed. It leaves more options for us. He's
maturing well and starting to do things right," O'Brien said.
One of three winners from Group I placed Australian Danehill mare Hveger, Idaho
has won four races and placed seven times from 18 starts.
His full brother Highland Reel won 10 races - seven of them Group I – and will
stand at Swettenham at a fee of $16,500.