Having spent the last few hours pouring over my formbooks, leafing through my Racing Posts, and browsing my ratings. I have compiled a list of what I believe to be the definitive top ten of 3yo prospects for 2006. It was a hard task and I have had to leave some highly promising 2yos off the list, however such is life. I'm sure they 99% of the forum will agree entirely on the compilation of the ten, however as ever I encourage your thoughts and views. Especially if you feel I have left any deserving horses out. (I haven't).
1. George Washington Mrs John Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith.
Trained by Mr. AP. O'Brien.
No need for much discussion here. We all saw the Phoenix performance, and the less flashy but just as impressive National Stakes run. Next year will surely include the inevitable demolition of the Guineas field, before taking apart all opponents in the Derby, July Cup, and BC Mile.
2. Horatio Nelson Mrs John Magnier & Mrs David Nagle
Trained by Mr. AP O'Brien.
A fantastic son of Danehill, whose form bears the closest of scrutiny. Unbeaten in four starts, and yet to be truly challenged, he will enter 2006 with a major chance in all the male classics.
3. Rumplestiltskin Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/Niarchos Family
Trained by Mr. AP O'Brien.
This filly has done everything asked of her with the stamp of a Classic winner. A worthy favourite for the 1000 Guineas, her Boussac win was the crowning glory on an impressive season. Newmarket should suit, and again it is inevitable that she will complete back to back 1000/2000 Guineas double for GOD.
4. Race For The Stars Mrs John Magnier
Trained by Mr. AP O'Brien.
A half-sister to the greatest of them all. The shrewder members of the forum were awaiting her racecourse bow for some time. Having taken a while to find her feet, her last two runs have shown her massive potential. She will go to Newmarket with a serious chance to avenge the robbery that her half-brother suffered there. After that she will surely challenge for all major female mile races, and will put that Soviet Song firmly in her place.
5. Ivan Denisovich Mrs John Magnier, M Tabor, I Cowan
Trained by Mr. AP O'Brien.
Any horse part owned by one of modern Irish politics greatest figures was always going to a personal favourite. Looked a world-beater when running away with the July Stakes, but has been very unlucky in not having his preferred ground since. Will surely come into his own next year, and his dirt pedigree suggests he could be a serious contender for the BC sprint in 2006. James Willoughby is also a fan, and he is very shrewd.
6. Chencikova Mrs John Magnier
Trained by Mr. AP O'Brien
From a middle distance classic winning family this daughter of Saddlers Wells made a huge impression when easily taking a Tipperary maiden. The form is rock solid as David Wachman has said his filly which was 3rd is a machine. Will be Oaks aimed and then will attempt to do what her brother couldn't at Longchamp.
7. Alexandrova Mrs John Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith
Trained by Mr. AP O'Brien
A filly who has taken her time to come to hand, but is hugely progressive.In running a leading Guineas fancy (in some quarters) to a short head over a mile, a trip which will prove to be short of her best, she looks sure to be there or thereabouts for all middle-distance honours next year.
8. Fire And Rain M Tabor & Mrs John Magnier
Trained by Mr. AP O'Brien
Looked very much like his Dad when taking a hot Newmarket maiden in fine style. A decent time too, 40/1 quotes for the Epsom Derby make much appeal. A late foal he looks a serious 1m4f prospect next year.
9. Art Museum Mrs John Magnier & M Tabor
Trained by Mr. AP O'Brien
The dark horse of O'Briens 2yos, not literally of course. Looked some horse when landing a tidy gamble first time up beating a well thought of filly of Tommy Stacks. Followed up in grand style next time out, and looks an able subsitute for some of his more famous stablemates. A possible Swiss Guineas winner imo.
10. Septimus Derrick Smith
Trained by Mr. AP O'Brien
A first G1 winner for the third amigo. Septimus is a product of the successful Sadler's Wells/Darshaan cross, a nick that has produced horses like Yesterday, Islington and High Chaparral plus this years Derby second favourite Gypsy King. A fine horse he looks sure to follow up his family's tradition of being a serious middle distance performer.
Pescatorio just missed out on the top ten in eleventh by virtue of filling as many newspaper inches as any other 2yo. Other honourable mentions go to Mountain, River Tiber, Altius, and BF.
It was a hard task but in the end this is the final, and diverse, ten. Many hours trawling through Newmarket, Lambourn, France, and Ireland, has resulted in these future superstars. (I didn't bother with Middleham, he's useless). I'm sure the majority of forumites will agree 100% with the above, and I look forward to watching these ten win everything next year, including a 1-2-3 in the July Cup.
To next year.
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