O'Brien: No Faith Lost in Saxon Warrior

The two men who know Saxon Warrior better than anyone believe the best is yet to come, with Aidan O'Brien stressing the Aug. 22 Juddmonte International (G1) was simply part one of a three-race autumn series including the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (G1) and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1).

O'Brien's son Donnacha, who rides Saxon Warrior at home and also guided him to an impressive victory in the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket, was on board for a light workout Aug. 28 and is hopeful the son of Deep Impact can replicate his homework Sept. 15 at Leopardstown.

"His action and everything was good. I was really happy," Donnacha O'Brien said. "His work at home has always been very good, but we've not seen that on the track in his last couple of starts. I hope he can show it at Leopardstown.

"I've not lost faith in him. He's a very good horse, and I think he'll prove that in his next few starts."

Saxon Warrior did not disgrace himself at York. He arguably raced on the slowest part of the track, furthest away from the nearside rail, and was only 1 3/4 lengths behind runner-up Poet's Word when he finished fourth.

It was still some way short of the Saxon Warrior racegoers saw at Newmarket, though, and Aidan O'Brien said there was a plausible excuse.

"He was very sick after Sandown," said the trainer. "We knew he was only ready to start at York, but we needed to run him and get him going again. It was the first in a three-race program we've mapped out, so it was important he went there. The plan was to go to York, then on to Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Stakes, before bringing him back to a mile for the QEII at Ascot.

"I thought there were more positives than negatives at York, and I was very happy with him. Donnacha rode him out this morning and was very pleased. I've not lost any faith in him at all—absolutely not." 

Saxon Warrior is as big as 5-1 for the Irish Champion Stakes with bet365 but is just 3-1 with Ladbrokes. He is a best-priced 10-1 shot for the Oct. 20 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

The Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (G1) is on the agenda for Ballydoyle's Ten Sovereigns after his breathtaking debut victory at the Curragh Saturday, where he won a six-furlong maiden by seven lengths over 24 others. 

The son of No Nay Never was cut to 16-1 (from 25) for next year's Two Thousand Guineas, and the winning margin came as no surprise to Aidan O'Brien. 

"I was delighted with Ten Sovereigns," he said. "We thought the world of him in the spring, but he had a setback and that's why you saw him so late. He's a lovely colt. We always thought he was high-class from day one. We've an eye on the Middle Park now." 

Donnacha O'Brien, who had the armchair ride Saturday, was equally impressed. 

"He traveled beautifully, and the time was very good," he said. "The 24 of them in behind can't all be useless, so I would say it was a fair performance. I'd say he's very good."