No trainer in history has won more British Classics than Aidan O’Brien. The Irishman will be looking to extend his record this year during Guineas Weekend at Newmarket, as he has some strong entries in the opening two Classics of the season.
O’Brien has had 10 successes in the 2000 Guineas, while in the fillies race a day later, Mother Earth gave him a seventh triumph in 2021.
Twain Likely to Be O’Brien’s Leading 2000 Guineas Hope
Two from two! Twain remains unbeaten in the Group 1 Criterium International for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien… pic.twitter.com/hC4MblB8hL
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 27, 2024
The Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud in France is a race O’Brien often runs his best two-year-old colts in. Last season, he saddled Twain to victory in the race in Paris. On the back of that success, the son of Wootton Bassett is the 11/2 favourite in the horse racing odds for the 2000 Guineas.
Unlike many of his rivals this season, Twain has recorded a triumph over the 1m distance he will encounter at Newmarket. He is likely to be one of the leading horse racing tips for the British Classic, especially if number one stable jockey Ryan Moore confirms his intention to ride the unbeaten colt.
O’Brien is also set to be represented in the 2000 Guineas by Expanded. After prevailing on his debut at the Curragh, he finished an impressive second place behind Shadow Of Light in the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
Expanded also has an entry in the Derby at Epsom later this season, so O’Brien must be confident of the horse’s stamina. The Irish-trained horse does not have the same level of experience as some of his rivals in the 2000 Guineas, but his Dewhurst performance suggests he heads back to the Rowley Mile as a leading contender.
Lake Victoria Vying to Build on Impressive Debut Season
Not many two-year-olds achieved more than Lake Victoria in 2024. O’Brien’s filly won all five of her races, including three victories at the highest level. She had big race triumphs in Ireland, the UK, and the USA.
We can’t help but re-watch the 2024 #BreedersCup Juvenile Fillies Turf in honor of Lake Victoria’s birthday. 😍 pic.twitter.com/c4Klm7RtJL
— Breeders’ Cup (@BreedersCup) March 21, 2025
Lake Victoria’s hat-trick of Group One wins began at the Curragh in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. She then dropped down in distance to showcase her speed in the Cheveley Park Stakes, while on her final start of 2024, she recorded a triumph at the Breeders’ Cup Championship in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
The versatile filly is a daughter of former 2000 Guineas winner Frankel. Only five fillies have ended their juvenile campaign with a higher rating than Lake Victoria. The 119-rated runner looks set for a fascinating clash with Fillies’ Mile winner Desert Flower at Newmarket.
Bedtime Story is likely to join her stablemate Lake Victoria at Newmarket in the 1000 Guineas. She was a winner in her opening four starts on the track, including in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. However, she suffered defeat on her final two outings of her two-year-old campaign.
O’Brien will be hoping his filly will bounce back to her best following her break since her last run in October. Her best form has come on good ground, so her connections will be keen for the sun to continue to shine ahead of Guineas weekend.
With strong chances across both the two British Classics, O’Brien has a great chance of dominating the British Classics in the early stages of the 2025 Flat season.