THE two Irish colts who finished closest to star juvenile Henry Longfellow last season have both been sold to continue their racing careers in Hong Kong.

Joseph O’Brien confirmed to The Irish Field this week that Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes runner-up Islandsinthestream has departed his operation to join new connections after a private sale.

The same applies to Mythology, who won a two-year-old maiden at the Galway Festival for O’Brien before finishing a close second in Group 3 company at Deauville.

According to Hong Kong Jockey Club listings, Islandsinthestream has joined trainer Tony Cruz, while Mythology is with Pierre Ng.

Islandsinthestream, by Wootton Bassett, finished second to Henry Longfellow in both the Futurity and National Stakes before winning a valuable pot on Arc weekend at ParisLongchamp. His final start for O’Brien came when beaten a neck in second behind Los Angeles in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Mythology has the distinction of being the closest finisher to Henry Longfellow in his career, having finished second behind him in a Curragh maiden in July. The son of Starspangledbanner was owned by the Coolmore partners and Teme Valley.

On the strong demand for young Irish-trained flat horses, particularly from Asia and Australia, O’Brien added: “Everybody needs to keep trading for the bottom line. We’re lucky to have had two-year-olds who could compete in those top juvenile races and now it’s all about looking forward to the next generation.”

Smashing debut

Galen, one of O’Brien’s most promising two-year-olds from last season, failed to appear after a smashing debut but remains very much in the care of the Owning Hill team.

The form of his only start when runner-up to none other than City Of Troy looks particularly strong after the winner’s subsequent exploits.

“Galen had a little setback after his maiden,” said O’Brien.

“Potentially, he’s a very high-class colt for the season ahead. We’re excited by him.”

O’Brien is hoping for better luck this year with his 2022 National Stakes scorer Al Riffa, who finished closer to Ace Impact than any other horse in the Arc winner’s career when runner-up in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville in August. An interrupted campaign meant he only ran twice in 2023.

“We had a slightly frustrating season with him,” said O’Brien.

“The form of his French race couldn’t have worked out any better and I think we’ll probably start off in a race like the Prix Ganay this spring if all goes well.”