IT has been a terrific 2024 season for the Aidan O’Brien-trained juveniles.

Since the Royal Ascot meeting – the first big match-up of the new juvenile crop – where Bedtime Story and Fairy Godmother were the stars - there has been a constant stream of quality two-year-olds. And just when you thought there could not be any more, up pops a rare 28/1 winner in Twain last weekend!

The stable has strong claims to pick up a few more Group 1s this weekend, Delacroix in Doncaster and Ballet Slippers, Twain and Mount Kilimanjaro at Saint-Cloud tomorrow.

The unbeaten Lake Victoria, plus Heavens Gate, Camille Pissarro, Henri Matisse, Whistlejacket, Bubbling, Expanded and Whirl look sure to be in the top section of the best 2024 juvenile ratings.

And that is before you include what may be their best two-year-old, The Lion In Winter, who has only competed up to Group 3 level to date.

Looking back at the Ballydoyle two-year-olds in recent seasons, for 2022, in the end of season World Rankings, Aidan O’Brien trained eight of the top juveniles rated at 110 or better (43 horses in total). They were headed by Little Big Bear (124), Blackbeard (119) and Auguste Rodin (119).

Last season was even better. The Ballydoyle maestro trained nine of the 36 rated 110 and over. That was 25% of the top juvenile crop. They were headed by City Of Troy (125), Henry Longfellow (119) and Opera Singer (118).

Babouche in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes and Scorthy Champ in the National Stakes nabbed two home Group 1s from the Ballydoyle brigade but the most notable element on the juvenile scene in 2024 has been the return of Godolphin to prominence by way of three Group 1s from Shadow Of Light and Desert Flower plus group performers in Ancient Truth and Al Qudra.

Last season, surprisingly, Ancient Wisdom was the only Appleby/Godolphin two-year-old in the 36 juveniles that were rated over 110.

The previous season (2022), it was six Appleby runners in the top 43 of 110+ rated horses, plus Mawj from Saeed bin Suroor.

The return to the old Ballydoyle v Godolphin rivalry should be something to enhance next season.

It might also be unusual in that the two best colts from each establishment came from the Group 3 Acomb Stakes won by The Lion In Winter, with the Godolphin favourite Ruling Court back in third but still looking like a horse who has a big future.