The final Group 1 of the British season unfolded just as so many have before. Try as they might, the leading British yards could not withstand the overwhelming force of Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle operation.
Having dominated the Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon, O’Brien turned his sights to France on Sunday. The results were similarly impressive. When all was said and done, O’Brien had added three Group 1s to his ever-increasing haul, officially claimed the 2026 British Champion Trainer title, and tightened his vice-like grip on the 2026 Classic markets.
As Easy as 1-2-3 in Futurity Trophy
| Pos. | Horse (SP) | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawk Mountain (18/5) | Aidan O’Brien | Ronan Whelan |
| 2 | Action (3/1) | Aidan O’Brien | Wayne Lordan |
| 3 | Benvenuto Cellini (7/4 F) | Aidan O’Brien | Christophe Soumillon |
Responsible for three of the five runners, including three of the first four in the market, O’Brien was always likely to add to his record-setting 11 wins in the Futurity Trophy Stakes. However, punters faced a tricky task determining which of his trio was most likely to prevail. Jockey bookings suggested that Benvenuto Cellini was the Ballydoyle number one, followed by Action and finally Hawk Mountain.
Eventually, the market agreed with that assessment, but it took a while getting there. On the Monday before the race, Benvenuto Cellini was as short as 4/9, only to be replaced in midweek by Hawk Mountain, who eventually drifted out to be the outsider of the three at 18/5.
In the end, it was the longest priced of the O’Brien runners who came out on top. Hawk Mountain set out to make all the running and was not for passing when challenged by his stablemates. Toughing it out in determined fashion, he pulled ½l clear of Action at the line. Seemingly unsuited by the soft conditions, Benvenuto Cellini plugged on to complete an O’Brien 1-2-3.
In the aftermath of this display, O’Brien suggested Hawk Mountain would be set the task of following in the hoofprints of High Chaparral, Brian Boru, Camelot, Saxon Warrior, Magna Grecia, and Auguste Rodin – all of whom bagged a Classic following a win in this race. Reflecting on his latest Futurity Trophy hero, the Ballydoyle maestro stated:
“I’d say he’s a Classic horse who could start off being a miler and go on up to a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half.”
For O’Brien, this result finally sealed the race for the 2026 British Champions Trainers’ title, as he fended off the challenges of Andrew Balding and John & Thady Gosden. Hawk Mountain, meanwhile, is now the general 10/1 second favourite for the 2026 Epsom Derby and a 14/1 chance for the 2000 Guineas.
All Too Easy for Puerto Rico
| Pos. | Horse (SP) | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puerto Rico (3/5 F) | Aidan O’Brien | Christophe Soumillon |
| 2 | Campacite (13/2) | Jean-Claude Rouget | Marvin Grandin |
| 3 | Cape Orator (39/10) | Ralph Beckett | Hector Crouch |
In addition to his dominance of British and Irish Group 1 events, O’Brien is no stranger to top-level success in France. With six previous wins, Coolmore’s number one handler was already the most successful trainer in the history of the Criterium International before the 2025 edition.
O’Brien sent four into battle in search of a seventh success, headed by the odds-on favourite Puerto Rico. Of that quartet, New Zealand, Piazza San Marco, and Port Of Spain finished fifth, sixth, and seventh in a seven-runner field. However, the market leader got the job done in some style.
Going in the hands of Christophe Soumillon, the son of Wootton Bassett grabbed the lead on the inside and didn’t see another rival. Cruising along ahead of his vigorously ridden rivals, he scored by an easing down 1¾l under only hands and heels riding.
Having started his career with form figures of 42224, Puerto Rico didn’t look the most likely O’Brien juvenile to emerge as a potential star. However, this steady improver has now won three on the spin, including back-to-back Group 1s.
Of O’Brien’s previous winners of the Criterium International, only Roderic O’Connor went on to Classic success, when claiming the 2011 edition of the Irish 2000 Guineas. It would be no surprise to see Puerto Rico follow a similar route, with O’Brien stating:
“He’ll start in a Guineas. He’s a classy horse who I see as a real miler.”
Now as short as 7/1, Puerto Rico is vying for 2000 Guineas favouritism with stablemate Albert Einstein.
Pierre Bonnard Looks Every Inch a Derby Contender
| Pos. | Horse (SP) | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pierre Bonnard (7/10 F) | Aidan O’Brien | Christophe Soumillon |
| 2 | A Boy Named Susie (14/1) | Donnacha O’Brien | Mickael Barzalona |
| 3 | Proof (12/1) | Christopher Head | Maxime Guyon |
There were two Group 1 juvenile events on the Sunday afternoon card from Saint-Cloud. Aidan O’Brien won them both to move to 25 Group 1 wins for the year – within three of his own world record for Group 1 wins in a calendar year. Hot on the heels of Puerto Rico’s success in the Criterium International, Pierre Bonnard advertised his Derby credentials in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.
Sired by the Derby winner Camelot, and out of a Group 1-winning mare by another Derby winner in New Approach, Pierre Bonnard boasts an eye-catching pedigree for Epsom glory. Having broken his maiden in a low-key event at Dundalk, the strapping bay went into many a notebook with a dominant success in the Group 3 Zetland Stakes.
Moving up to Group 1 company demanded more, but if anything, this display was even more emphatic. Always in touch with the leaders, he responded willingly for Soumillon when asked to lengthen his formidable stride. Under only minimal urging, he forged clear to score by a widening two lengths.
Outlining plans for next year, O’Brien said:
“Obviously he’s a Derby horse and we’ll start him in a Derby trial and all he should do is get better.”
As big as 14/1 before this outing, Pierre Bonnard is now the clear favourite for the 2026 Epsom Derby at a best price of 8/1.
