Heading into the first week in May, training powerhouse Aidan O’Brien had already bagged five contests rated at Listed level or above. That’s a fine tally by most standards, but no more than par for the course for the Ballydoyle supremo. Following a rare blank trip to the Newmarket Guineas Festival, O’Brien’s early season efforts were in danger of slipping into the underwhelming category.
The absence of The Lion In Winter and Twain from his Guineas squad didn’t help O’Brien’s cause, but it was still a little disappointing to see Lake Victoria and Expanded finish only sixth and ninth in the opening Classics of the season.
Having performed below expectations at HQ, would that pattern continue at another meeting traditionally dominated by O’Brien – the Boodles May Festival at Chester? At the end of the three recognised Classic Trials, it is fair to say that O’Brien has refound his stride, and in some style.
Minnie Marvelous in Cheshire Oaks
| Pos. | Horse (SP) | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Minnie Hauk (13/8F) | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore |
| 2nd | Secret Of Love (7/1) | Andrew Balding | David Probert |
| 3rd | Caspi Star (12/1) | Charlie Johnston | Silvestre De Sousa |
With eight and seven wins, respectively, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore headed into the latest edition of the Cheshire Oaks as the most successful trainer and jockey in the history of the race. The Frankel filly Minnie Hauk was the horse tasked with adding to those records in 2025.
Raced only twice during her juvenile campaign, this striking bay followed a familiar pattern for an O’Brien two-year-old, i.e. looking in need of the experience on debut but making no mistake second time out.
Ralph Beckett’s impressive novice winner, That’s Amore, and Cracksman’s sister Queen Of Thieves headed the opposition, but Minnie Hauk started as the clear 13/8 favourite as the runners entered the stalls. Once underway, Moore seemed keen to get to the lead on the inside from stall six but had to settle in second behind Queen Of Thieves. From that moment, everything went according to plan. Tracking the pace throughout, Minnie Hauk grabbed the lead around the home bend before staying on well for a one-length success.
No O’Brien Cheshire Oaks winner has followed up at Epsom to date. Savethelastdance came closest when second to Soul Sister in 2023 before bagging the Irish version of the race. A general 20/1 shot before this effort, Minnie Hauk is now as short as 8/1 for the Epsom showpiece.
Lambourn Lands Chester Vase
| Pos. | Horse (SP) | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Lambourn (11/8F) | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore |
| 2nd | Lazy Griff (25/1) | Charlie Johnston | Joe Fanning |
| 3rd | Convergent (9/2) | Karl Burke | Sam James |
Another Chester event, and another in which O’Brien and Moore topped the all-time trainer and jockey tables. Sitting on ten and eight wins respectively before the 2025 Chester Vase, the duo now have eleven and nine victories in the Group 3 contest.
The star of the show in 2025 was the Australia-sired colt, Lambourn. Unlike Minnie Hauk, Lambourn shot out of the traps as a two-year-old. Winning nicely first time out at Killarney, he followed up in a Listed event at Chantilly. The Group 2 Beresford Stakes was a step too far on his final start at two, whilst he found stablemate Delacroix too good on his seasonal return in the Ballysax Stakes.
Despite defeat in the 1m2f Ballysax Stakes, the manner in which Lambourn hit the line suggested a step up in trip may be in order. Punters were keen to support that theory in this 1m4½f event, seeing Lambourn start as the 11/8 favourite.
Moore once again attempted to get to the rail from stall 7, and once again he failed. However, Lambourn always travelled comfortably just off the pace and responded willingly once asked to chase down the leaders in the straight. Hitting the front inside the final furlong, we went on to score by a widening length and a half.
He stays all day! 🙌
LAMBOURN lands the Boodles Chester Vase Stakes – making it a Classic trial double for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien at @ChesterRaces… pic.twitter.com/fC4z3ZfJW2
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 7, 2025
Ruler Of The World claimed this prize en route to his Derby success in 2013, whilst 2017 hero Wings Of Eagles warmed up with a runners-up effort in this event. The layers are of differing opinions regarding Lambourn’s claims of adding his name to that list, with the colt as short as 14/1 but available to back at 25/1 elsewhere.
Kilimanjaro Tops Dee Stakes Podium
| Pos. | Horse (SP) | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Mount Kilimanjaro (EvensF) | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore |
| 2nd | High Stock (11/4) | Andrew Balding | Oisin Murphy |
| 3rd | Great David | James Tate | Tom Marquand |
Thursday afternoon’s Dee Stakes continued the theme of O’Brien and Moore dominance. With eleven and seven wins, the irresistible duo once again topped the trainer and jockey tables.
O’Brien sent two to post in 2025 in the shape of Mount Kilimanjaro and Isambard Brunel. The latter boasted US Triple Crown winner Justify as his sire and won well on his final start at two. However, Moore’s decision to ride Mount Kilimanjaro saw the Siyiouni colt start as the red-hot Even Money favourite to add to O’Brien’s excellent week on the Roodee.
Those who took the short odds may have had a few palpitations as the field turned for home, as Andrew Balding’s High Stock kicked into the lead off a strong pace. However, once switched into the clear, Mount Kilimanjaro engaged overdrive to get up close to home and score by a neck.
So far, O’Brien has drawn a blank in the Derby with his Dee Stakes winners, with Sir Michael Stoute’s Kris Kin the last horse to complete the double in 2003. Those who fancy Mount Kilimanjaro to break that trend can back the improving star at a best price of 33/1.