- Joseph O’Brien has his eye on victory at Europe’s premier middle-distance race
- Al Riffa faces stiff competition but has what it takes to triumph at Longchamp
Joseph O’Brien believes his already remarkable career would scale a new peak if Al Riffa can successfully execute a long-term plan in Paris on Sunday.
The eldest son of perennial champion Aidan, O’Brien was an excellent jockey who counted two Epsom Derbies among his clutch of big race wins but he has reached a different level since becoming a trainer and done things that have even eclipsed his father.
Two Melbourne Cups shine brightest on a CV that also glitters with success at the Cheltenham Festival, the Breeders Cup and Royal Ascot (in total he has won 33 Group/Grade One races) but the thought of adding the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Europe’s premier middle-distance race, has been twinkling in his mind for 18 months.
Quietly, almost under the radar, Al Riffa has been prepared meticulously for this weekend’s trip to Longchamp, his campaign beginning with a trip to Paris in April to get an early sight of the course and, most recently, saw him Germany’s premier contest, the Grosser Preis von Baden.
In between, there was a run at Sandown when he made O’Brien senior shuffle rather uncomfortably, as Al Riffa threw down the gauntlet to City Of Troy in the Coral-Eclipse. Some thought his proximity to the wonder horse was a negative form line – time may show it was the race of the season.
Joseph O’Brien (centre) has his eyes on the biggest prize of his career as Al Riffa competes in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe this weekend
‘That’s probably fair to say,’ said O’Brien, speaking from the Goff’s sales, when asked if his horse had not received due recognition. ‘He has won two Group Ones and has run plenty of outstanding races. To be honest, I can’t think of him running a bad race.
‘We appreciate him for all he has done for us and we look forward to having him as a live contender. The Arc is one of the biggest races in the world and it is special just to have a runner in it. I’m delighted to be going there with a chance.’
And he certainly does have a chance. Though there are formidable obstacles in the way, headed by Andre Fabre – who has trained just the eight Arc winners – and his great hope Sosie; his Dad will most likely rely on Los Angeles and Continuous to see if he can plunder his third triumph in the race.
But there is something about Al Riffa that keeps catching the eye. He got closer than any other horse to Ace Impact, last year’s breathtaking Arc hero who retired unbeaten, and his professional manner, allied to his zest for work, makes it easy to see why the 31-year-old talks so sweetly about him.
‘If we were lucky enough to win it, it would be right up there with anything I have done before,’ said O’Brien. ‘We always thought that he could be one for the Arc, even from last season we thought he had potential to run in the race. It was always in the back of my mind for quite sometime.
‘From the beginning of the season, we pinpointed it as a good target for the autumn. I was very proud of that performance in Baden-Baden and I have always thought, with the extra distance, he really did look like he was better for it.
‘This race has always been a good prep race for the Arc and we thought that it was good for him to go there as a fresh horse. I remember vividly when Dad won for the first time with Dylan Thomas (in 2007). For me to win an Arc would be so special but we will see.’
It wouldn’t be in his nature to talk himself up, so it was best left to his Dad, who also buying new stock yesterday.
‘We are very proud of him and always hope that he beats us,’ said O’Brien. ‘ He has a great chance and everything has gone well for him. He ran well against City Of Troy and you saw the improvement he made in Germany. It’s very exciting for them. It would be brilliant if they won.’
