Churchill the head of state for all-conquering Ballydoyle

Aidan O’Brien has been training Classic winners for 20 years, during which time he has sent out the winners of 25 British Classics and 35 Irish Classics. The list of his high achievers is almost endless and this year Churchill is in pole position to become the latest Ballydoyle superstar.

Big in size, reputation and performance, the son of Galileo is favourite to give his trainer an eighth win in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and is also favourite for the Investec Derby having won five of his six races last year, including the Group 1 National Stakes and the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.

Described by O’Brien as being “as imposing a colt as we’ve ever had at Ballydoyle”, Churchill will follow the traditional path of most O’Brien Guineas contenders by going to Newmarket without a prep run.