Auguste Rodin gives O’Brien record 11th Vertem Futurity Trophy

But there was one increasing question mark going into Saturday – the state of the ground at Doncaster. O’Brien had previously discussed how Auguste Rodin would enjoy better conditions, and as the going was labeled heavy, the master of Ballydoyle voiced his concern. There was a realistic chance of scratching the favorite, until his connections walked the course, jockey Ryan Moore rode on it, and Auguste Rodin got the green light to try. Thus with all the uncertainty from the Ballydoyle camp, his odds ticked up, drifting from odds-on favoritism to 9-4. 

Another question emerged when the gate opened, and the eight-horse field split into two groups. Those breaking from post positions 1 through 5 congregated toward the far side of the course, but the trio drawn to their outside made a beeline for the stands’ side. That little trio included Auguste Rodin, stablemate Salt Lake City, and 3-1 second choice Epictetus. They thereby avoided the worst ground, but would they work out the right race flow in isolation from the others?

Salt Lake City led Epictetus and Auguste Rodin’s group, as they raced in single file early. The overall leader was Stormbuster, who dictated the agenda on the far side. Holloway Boy added to the tactical intrigue. Initially at the back of Stormbuster’s quintet, Holloway Boy made a bold move a quarter-mile from home and roared to the front.

By that point, Moore had given Auguste Rodin his cue. The favorite cruised to the head of his trio and gathered momentum. Then Holloway Boy veered right across the course toward the stands’ side. Auguste Rodin kept on strongly on that rail while Holloway Boy tired. Drawing 3 1/2 lengths clear, the elegant dark bay finished the straight mile in 1:44.76.

Epictetus altered course around Holloway Boy to get up for second, picking up four points on the European Road. Holloway Boy checked in a further 1 3/4 lengths back in third, good for three points. Dancing Magic received two points in fourth, and Salt Lake City, who did a fine job as the pacemaker with Wayne Lordan in tricky circumstances, got one point for fifth. Captain Wierzba, King of Steel, and Stormbuster rounded out the order of finish.

Auguste Rodin improved his record to 4-3-1-0 for his owners, Coolmore principals Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Mrs. John Magnier, and partner Westerberg. An unlucky second on debut, the Coolmore homebred has progressed in each start. Auguste Rodin broke his maiden comfortably at Naas and returned from a two-month break to take the Sept. 10 Champions Juvenile (G2) at Leopardstown in style. 

The Vertem Futurity Trophy represented another step up for the classic contender, and an historic success for O’Brien, who has now surpassed the record of 10 winners long held by the late Sir Henry Cecil. Most notable on O’Brien’s honor roll are High Chaparral (2001), Brian Boru (2002), St Nicholas Abbey (2009), Camelot (2011), Saxon Warrior (2017), Magna Grecia (2018), and Luxembourg (2021). 

From the final crop of the legendary Deep Impact, Auguste Rodin is the first foal from O’Brien star Rhododendron, a multiple Group 1-winning daughter of Galileo. Rhododendron, who was runner-up in the 2017 Oaks (G1) at Epsom (to Enable) and also second in that fall’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), is herself a full sister to seven-time Group 1 heroine Magical. Collecting even more titles as a highweight or co-highweight through her illustrious career than Rhododendron did, Magical was twice runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), to Enable (2018) and Tarnawa (2020). 

With that pedigree, and a juvenile campaign portending still more to come, Auguste Rodin is giving his connections, and fans, cause to dream about what he can achieve in the 2023 British classics.

The European Road will hibernate through winter, resuming in March with the decisive points races. The final three scoring events take place on all-weather tracks – the Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions S. at Kempton, the Patton S. at Dundalk, and finally the Cardinal Conditions S. at Chelmsford.