Aidan O'Brien’s rising star Twain sets sights on next year's 2000 Guineas after a dominant Saint-Cloud victory.
Emerging talent Twain stormed into the Classic race discussion with an impressive win in the Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud. Under Aidan O'Brien’s guidance, the son of Wootton Bassett was a surprise contender, going off at 28-1 after a strong debut win at Leopardstown just eight days prior. Despite his inexperience, Twain outclassed a competitive field, leading an Irish trifecta with stablemate Mount Kilimanjaro taking second and Apples And Bananas, trained by Joseph O’Brien, finishing third.
O’Brien, delighted with the outcome, praised Twain's maturity and potential. “We always knew he was a good one, and we just had to give him a chance to show it here,” he said, acknowledging the quick turnaround between races. Jockey Ryan Moore noted Twain’s “smart jump” and strong pace, although his greenness was evident in the final strides. "He's a very good mover and still very much a baby,” O’Brien added, confident of Twain's Classic potential.
Following this performance, bookmakers have slashed Twain's odds for the 2000 Guineas, with Unibet offering an ambitious 8-1 for the Newmarket Classic. With a promising winter ahead, O’Brien confirmed that Twain will be carefully prepped for the 2025 season.
It was a successful day for the O’Brien family as Joseph O’Brien also claimed the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud with Tennessee Stud, another Wootton Bassett offspring. Overcoming heavy conditions, Tennessee Stud showed his stamina and determination, positioning him as an exciting middle-distance prospect for next year’s Derby.
As Twain and Tennessee Stud look ahead to their Classic campaigns, the O’Brien team’s success at Saint-Cloud has reaffirmed their dominance in nurturing future stars and set the stage for an exhilarating season to come.
