Promising Ballydoyle trio out to repeat history in Killarney maiden

Could there be another Investec Derby winner lurking in Wednesday’s Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Killarney?

The picturesque track is not the most obvious destination for a Classic hero, given that Leopardstown and the Curragh tend to host the best maidens, but this particular race was where Aidan O’Brien sent Anthony Van Dyck for his second start 12 months ago and he emerged victorious by eight lengths.

If the trainer is following the most similar pattern, then the previously-raced Arthur’s Kingdom could be the candidate as the mount of son Donnacha, the son of Camelot and half-brother to the triple Canadian International winner Joshua Tree having finished runner-up on his debut at Leopardstown.

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However, O’Brien has two more newcomers by Anthony Van Dyck’s sire Galileo, with Emperor Of The Sun seemingly his second-best choice as the mount of Wayne Lordan. He is a half-brother to the exalted Zoustar, the stand-out Australian sprinter who is currently transferring his talents as a stallion.

Also rich in pedigree is Galileo’s War Cabinet, the mount of Emmett McNamara. He is out of Fillies’ Mile and Falmouth Stakes winner Simply Perfect, who delivered the same connections a Group-winning full brother in Mekong River.

Arthur’s Kingdom is anticipated to be a warm favourite and his stiffest competition from outside his stable could come from Jessica Harrington’s Hint Of Stars, a 115,000gns Sea The Stars colt who caught the eye on his debut outing.

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