AIDAN O’Brien’s terrific year with his juveniles was recognised in the World Rankings this week with the Ballydoyle boss having no less than 12 of the juveniles rated at 110 or more in his care.

A total of 42 horses make the cut at 110 or higher this year compared to 36 in 2023 and 43 in 2023.

O’Brien’s run went from the summer with two of the top juvenile performances at Royal Ascot – Bedtime Story and Fairy Godmother - through Lake Victoria’s Moyglare Stud-Cheveley Park double, wins in French Group 1s by Whistlejacket, Camille Pissaro and Twain at the end of the season, and ending by scooping the two Juvenile Turf races at the Breeders’ Cup with Lake Victoria and Henri Matisse.

In that top 43, the Irish made significant contributions with 20 trained in Ireland. And the honours were well spread out with Group 1 wins for Ger Lyons (2), Joseph O’Brien (2) and Jessica Harrington. Lyons had Babouche (113) and Magnum Force (112), Joseph O’Brien had Scorthy Champ (117) and Tennessee Stud (110) while Harrington had Leopardstown winner Green Impact (112) as well as the Futurity winner Hotazhell (117).

It was also a significant season for Coolmore sire Wootton Bassett with Henri Matisse, Camille Pissarro, Tennessee Stud and Twain winning Group/Grade 1s and Expanded, Maranoa Charlie and Green Impact also in that top 46.

Having had only one in the top 110+ last season, Charlie Appleby makes a comeback with six this time including the top-rated dual Group 1 winner Shadow Of Light, who with a rating of 120, is “towards the lower end” of recent top rated juveniles according to the handicappers.

Speaking on a call at the Ratings release mid-week, Aidan O’Brien reflected of his 2025 prospects.

“I think you’d have to be optimistic. We seem to have a nice team of nicely-rated horses over all kinds of distances so I think you’d have to be happy with the group of two-year-olds from last year.”

Lake Victoria

“She travels very well in her races and when she quickens, she puts her race to bed. A lot of class - that’s what she has and it makes her very different.”

Expanded

“We thought the world of him in the spring but ran out of time. We thought it was incredible run from him in the Dewhurst and he’s wintered well. He’s a great size and shape.”

The Lion In Winter

“When he won his maiden, he quickened up very well and when he went to York, I suppose the way he dominated the race and the pace that he showed and the way he quickened and found plenty. It made him look very exciting to everyone. He had two very good experiences last season and that can stand to them at three.”

Henri Matisse

“He loves good ground and to be produced late. A very good mover who I imagine is a miler-type.”

Camille Pissaro

“We always thought the world of him but probably didn’t always get it right with him. He’s a fast horse who can quicken, super impressive in France on Arc day with Christophe [Soumillon]. He probably doesn’t do much when he gets to the front. He’s a big, imposing individual who you’d imagine should be better at three than two.”

Delacroix

“He was a little slow to learn, a bit of a baby on his first few runs. He learned as he went along. Ryan was very happy with him and impressed at Doncaster, felt he was still coming at the line. He’s a Dubawi but looks like he’ll have no problem getting a mile and a quarter, maybe a mile and a half. Sometimes Dubawis can be short and strong but he’s not - he’s a big, rangy, powerful horse with loads of scope.”