With the 2025 Guineas meeting springing into action on Saturday, 3rd May, the opening Classics of the season are looming large on the horizon. As such, many punters are applying the finishing touches to their ante-post portfolios for the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, The Oaks and The Derby at Epsom, and the Doncaster St Leger at the tail of the campaign.
The two-year-old form from 2024 and early season trials all provide clues towards the Classic heroes and heroines of 2025. However, perhaps the most informative pointers are found in the comments from the individuals who know the horses best – the trainers.
Trainer quotes are in plentiful supply at this time of year, and most will lean towards an optimistic take on the year ahead. For some, that optimism will prove misplaced, whilst for others, it will be thoroughly justified. If there is one yard likely to live up to the hype, it is that of Ballydoyle supremo Aidan O’Brien.
Classic King Gearing up for Latest Assault
If punters were only permitted to make their Classic selections from the yard of one trainer, most, if not all, would plump for Aidan O’Brien. Bagging a first Classic with King Of Kings in the 1998 edition of the 2000 Guineas, O’Brien made it Classic win number 45 with Jan Brueghel in the 2024 St Leger – no trainer in the history of the sport has won so many of the five flagship events.
Given that incredible record, the yard of Aidan O’Brien has become the first port of call for those seeking a Classic winner. However, vast swathes of three-year-old talent reside within the walls of Ballydoyle, making the task of identifying which horses are likely to head for which races a little tricky.
With the above in mind, the racing world pricks its ears whenever O’Brien speaks. Happily, the training phenomenon is always forthcoming with his intentions for the season, and this week, he revealed the likely routes for his three-year-old stars.
The Colts: Lion to Wait for Dante as Twain Leads Guineas Charge
With ten wins in both the 2000 Guineas and Derby, O’Brien is the most successful trainer in the history of each event. It would be no surprise to see him add to that record in 2025, with the following four contenders likely to head up an impressive crop of Classic colts
- The Lion in Winter – O’Brien says, “The Lion In Winter isn’t going to the Guineas, he’ll go to the Dante”. “If that goes well, then we’ll see what the lads want to do, but the Derby would probably be the plan.”
- Twain – O’Brien says, “If Twain won the Guineas, there’s a good chance the lads will want to go to the Derby with him for obvious reasons.”
- Delacroix – O’Brien says, “Delacroix will go to the Derrinstown next and could go to the Derby.”
- Expanded – Exact plans remain a little uncertain for Expanded. However, with Twain appearing to be the number one for the 2000 Guineas, he may head to the Tetrarch Stakes before a possible tilt at the Irish 2000
The Fillies: Lake Main Hope for 1000 Guineas
Whilst not quite as dominant as in the colts’ events, O’Brien’s record in the fillies’ Classics is the envy of most. With seven wins in the 1000 Guineas and ten in the Oaks, he lies behind only 19th-century trainer Robert Robson in the all-time list for each race. In addition to providing an update on the colts, O’Brien outlined the status of two leading fillies in the yard.
- Lake Victoria – “She could be there in time for the Guineas, but if she isn’t, she could go the Curragh on the Monday instead”.
- Exactly – “If she (Lake Victoria) does make it to Newmarket, Exactly would go to the French Guineas”.
The above sextet represents only a sliver of the talent contained within a star-studded Ballydoyle squadron, which also includes returning older performers Kyprios and Los Angeles, and a host of regally bred juveniles. Another productive season surely lies ahead, even if unpicking the puzzle is far from easy for punters.