Hawk Mountain gave Aidan O’Brien a record 12th success in the William Hill Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.
In doing so, the Ronan Whelan-ridden Wootton Bassett colt led a one-two-three for Ballidoile, getting the better of a duel with Action through the final furlong to triumph by half a length and assume pre-post favoritism for next year’s Derby.
Benvenuto Cellini was the market leader at 7-4 in the hands of Christophe Soumillon for the final Group One of the season in Britain, but having gone big for a moment, he could not go with his stablemates in the closing stages.
O’Brien said of the 18-5 winner, who secured his 23rd Group or Grade One winner of the season: “He went a mile well, he’s solid and classy, a beautiful horse.
“He’s big, he’s strong and he’s got an amazing mind, he’s got everything you need, he’s very straightforward with everything and you couldn’t be happier with him.”
“It’s simple, it’s powerful and it does what you want it to do, but we can’t win these races without the team at home, it’s such a big team effort that I can’t tell you.
“Next year you could get away with him as a miler, but you could go middle distances with him.”
“I would say there’s a lot more to come from him because his mind is so good. He’s big but he’s athletic, he’s not too long, he’s really unusual. He’s so chilled.”
Hawk Mountain’s dam is Hydrangea, a two-time Group One winner for O’Brien and from the famous Coolmore family.
“It’s great for the guys because he’s homegrown, up and down we’ve got generations of his pedigree,” O’Brien said.
“It’s a big team of people putting a lot of thought into it and I’m so delighted for everyone, so many people are involved even before he’s born. It costs a lot and we’re so grateful these horses are staying in Ireland.”
As for the placed horses, O’Brien is looking forward to next year with them as well.
“Benvenuto is a very good mover and while his dam (Newspaperofrecord) went into the soft ground, Christophe said he just stuck in it, he wasn’t beaten too much, it was still a very good run,” O’Brien said.
“We thought the Action would come through and the winner might, but the only way we’ll know is for them to run.”
He continued: “Hawk Mountain is a classic horse that can go over a mile, Action is more like a Derby, we went that way with Delacroix last year when we probably shouldn’t have. Action is a brother to Lambourn and he has held on really well.”
It was Whelan’s fifth Group One winner, but his association with O’Brien is growing.
“It’s a big day for Ronan and I’m delighted for him. He’s a very good rider, he’s been around (riding for Mick Halford) for a long time and he’s very experienced,” O’Brien said.
“He’s a big, strong and powerful guy and he’s becoming a big part of our team now, so I couldn’t be happier for him.”