YEATS MAY have trailed home last in Saturday’s Irish Field St Leger at the Curragh but the legendary stayer could still attempt to end his career in style at November’s Breeders’ Cup in Los Angeles. Aidan O’Brien gave the four-time Ascot Gold Cup winner a clean bill of health yesterday and put down Yeats’ lacklustre display to the testing ground.
There had been initial speculation after Saturday’s race that the eight-year-old’s career may be drawing to a close. “You don’t get to be around for as long as Yeats has unless you learn to look after yourself,” O’Brien said. “That was bad tacky ground on Saturday and he didn’t like it at all.”
Yeats finished up his 2008 campaign by landing the Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp but that option is unlikely this time.
“That looks like being very late this time. His options include the Cadran in France and the Breeders’ Cup Marathon. He would love quick ground in Santa Anita,” O’Brien said.
This year the distance for the $500,000 event has been upped quarter of a mile to 14 furlongs.
The Prix du Cadran at Longchamp over Arc weekend is also an option for Saturday’s Leger winner Alandi who gave 50-year-old Mick Kinane a fourth Leger triumph at the Curragh.
Kingsfort has been promoted to the head of the 2,000 Guineas market after maintaining his unbeaten record in Saturday’s National Stakes.
John Oxx indicated yesterday that Mourayan, who endured an unlucky passage behind Mastery in Saturday’s English Leger at Doncaster, could appear next in the Prix de Chaudenay at Longchamp.
