O'Brien awaits penalty after admitting BHA charges

Cape Blanco: aggravated a heel injury when winning the Dante in May

  PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)  O'Brien awaits penalty after admitting charges By David Carr 1:14PM 8 DEC 2010 AIDAN O'BRIEN is likely to discover next week what penalty he will face for 'acting in a manner prejudicial to the conduct of horseracing in GreatBritain.'

He admitted the charge, which relates to the running of Cape Blanco in the Totesport Dante Stakes at York last May, at a hearing before the BHA disciplinary panel hearing which ended on Wednesday.

O'Brien also admitted two charges of encouraging and/or causing his employee Pat Keating to refuse to comply with two instructions given by the stewards at York.

The trainer had been instructed that Cape Blanco, who had aggravated a heel injury in the race, should be trotted up before the BHA's veterinary officer and the senior racecourse veterinary surgeon and to attend a stewards' inquiry into the refusal to allowhim to be trotted up.

Keating also admitted to being twice in breach of Rule (B)83 regarding his failure to comply with the above instructions.

The panel is now considering the issue of penalty and drafting its reasons.  It is anticipated that a decision will be announced next week.

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Joseph O'Brien double cuts apprentice title lead to two

Watch Joseph O'Brien in winning action at Dundalk

Joseph O'Brien double cuts title lead to two By Jessica Lamb 3:04PM 8 DEC 2010 

A DOUBLE at Dundalk on Wednesday for Joseph O'Brien leaves him trailing apprentice championship leaders Gary Carroll and Ben Curtis by just two winners with one meeting remaining.

Despite O'Brien's double, William Hill still make him an unlikely winner and offer 16-1 about him snatching a last-gasp victory. The same firm make Carroll and Curtis their 10-11 joint-favourites.

O'Brien scored on Mr Pianist in the 1m4f handicap and on 2-7 favourite Alexander Pope in the 1m conditions race. He also came close to winning the opening 1m juvenile maiden on Pirate Chest but finished second to stablemate Last Crusade.

Carroll and Curtis both drew blanks on the card and remain on the 39 winner mark, with O'Brien progressingto 37. 

The championship comes to an exciting conclusion at Dundalk on Friday evening.

Joseph O'Brien (37 winners)

Gary Carroll (39 winners)

Ben Curtis (39 winners)

 

Irish Apprentice Title

William Hill bet: 10-11 Ben Curtis, Gary Carroll, 16-1 Joseph O’Brien – Win Only (Dead-heat rules apply)

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Carroll and Curtis draw clear of O'Brien in title race

Gary Carroll (centre) and Ben Curtis (right) had winners at Dundalk

  PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)  Carroll and Curtis clear of O'Brien in title race
 By Tony O'Hehir and James Burn 5:29PM 5 DEC 2010 THE race for the Irish apprentice title took a twist at Dundalk on Sunday when defending champion Gary Carroll and Ben Curtis drew four winners clear of Joseph O'Brien.

William Hill cannot split them as they go even-money the pair, while O'Brien is an 8-1 shot.

RELATED LINKS Dundalk results  Carroll started the day a winner ahead of Curtis, and three in front of O'Brien, and despite partnering Sampers to success in the second could race - his 39th win of the season - he was pegged back by Curtis, who landed a double thanks to victories on Valbonne and Home Secretary.

Sampers is trained by Michael Halford, who said of Carroll:  "He works very hard and is a hell of a good rider.

"It would be great if he can win the title again as riding through the season with only a 3lb claim has made things that much tougher for him."

O'Brien, whose championship challenge has been disrupted by suspensions, was out of luck with his six rides on Sunday.

Dundalk also stages the final two meetings of the season on Wednesday and Friday.

Irish apprentice title 2010

William Hill: Evens Gary Carroll, Ben Curtis, 8 Joseph O'Brien (win only, dead-heat rules apply)

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O'Brien pair out of Breeders' Cup - but back next year

Cape Blanco: dual top-flight scorer will not race in the Breeders' Cup Turf

  PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)  O'Brien pair out of US trip - but back next year
 By Tony O'Hehir 9:32AM 21 OCT 2010 FAME AND GLORY and Cape Blanco will miss the Breeders' Cup, although both will remain in training next year, trainer Aidan O'Brien has revealed.

On a day when stablemate Rip Van Winkle, also under consideration for a trip to Churchill Downs, was retired after suffering a setback, O'Brien announced four-time Group 1 winner Fame And Glory and dual top-flight scorer Cape Blanco will not head to the US - but will race on in 2011.

"Both horses had hard races and tough passages in the Arc, and it has been decided that neither of them will be going for the Breeders' Cup Turf," said O'Brien on Wednesday.

"But they'll be kept in training next year."

Outlining Ballydoyle's likely team for the Breeders' Cup next month, O'Brien said: "Beethoven is being aimed at the Mile and Bright Horizon will go for the Marathon. Together is under serious consideration for the Juvenile Fillies Turf, while Treasure Beach, who ran third in the Royal Lodge, may go for the Juvenile Turf.

"We will be declaring both Seville and Master Of Hounds in the morning for the Racing Post Trophy on Saturday and it is possible, depending on how they get on, that one of them might go for the Juvenile Turf."

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