'It's hugely exciting' - Derby and Breeders' Cup hero Auguste Rodin to stay in training next year says Aidan O'Brien

Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore team have decided to roll the dice and keep Derby hero Auguste Rodin in training as a four-year-old in a daring move that adds an exciting extra layer of intrigue to the 2024 Flat season.

Auguste Rodin put the finishing touches to a terrific three-year-old campaign at Santa Anita last this month when providing his trainer with a record-breaking seventh victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

That was supposed to be Auguste Rodin's swansong as he was widely expected to begin his next career as a stallion in 2024, but O'Brien gave racing fans the news they all wanted to hear on Monday when announcing he would race on at four.

O'Brien described the decision as "hugely exciting" and said that all the top races will be open to Auguste Rodin in 2024, including the Breeders' Cup Classic on dirt after he spoke of his surprise at how well he handled the surface in the build-up to his Breeders' Cup triumph.

Coral have cut Auguste Rodin to 12-1 (from 16) second favourite for the Breeders' Cup Classic, although Betfair and Paddy Power go 25-1.

Aidan O'Brien: "It's very exciting to have him back next year"Credit: Patrick McCann

Speaking to the Racing Post, O'Brien said: "The lads have decided to keep Auguste Rodin in training. We're very much looking forward to having him racing again next year and it's hugely exciting.

"He's a unique horse, a one-off, and the lads are enjoying their racing more than ever at the moment. It's unbelievable for us and everyone else, for everyone who follows racing."

When asked whether the Breeders' Cup Classic might be on his radar in 2024, the trainer replied: "Oh, Janey, it's a long way away but the only thing I can say at this stage is that any race is open to him."

He added: "Anything from a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half is open to him, he seems to be very comfortable over those sort of trips and it's very exciting to have him back next year.

"He came back from Santa Anita in great shape and everyone is delighted with him. He came out of the race in super shape and he's bouncing. He'll have a rest now and we'll bring him back early next year."

Auguste Rodin: won the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa AnitaCredit: Edward Whitaker

It seemed highly likely Auguste Rodin would be retired to stud after his sizzling show at Santa Anita, with O'Brien saying last week that the son of Deep Impact and Rhododendron was already attracting the attention of breeders.

The trainer said: "I do know how important he is to the breed. I know a lot of breeders are looking for him and I know the lads are under pressure that way. He brings the two continents together and there won't ever be another one of him."

But racing fans can now look forward to seeing Auguste Rodin for another season as a four-year-old, with O'Brien even suggesting there may be more to come from him on the track next year.

He said: "He looks like a horse who could be even more exciting next year so we're all looking forward to it."

Auguste Rodin quickly brushed off his blowout in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas by winning the Derby at Epsom and he followed up in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on his next start.

He proved a bitter disappointment in the King George when trailing in last of the ten runners despite being sent off 9-4 favourite, but he was awesome in the autumn and followed up a brave victory in the Irish Champion Stakes with another superb performance in the Breeders' Cup Turf and few, if any, other horses captured the imagination as much as him through the year.

O'Brien now has two of the top four in the betting for the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic with Coral, as the outstanding juvenile City Of Troy is 14-1.

Coral's David Stevens said: "It's exciting news for racing fans that Auguste Rodin will be staying in training next year, with a tilt at the Breeders' Cup Classic one long-term potential target. At this very early stage, he's now replaced his stablemate City Of Troy as the shortest-priced Ballydoyle runner in our betting."

Paddy Power introduced Auguste Rodin into their 2024 Arc market at 20-1.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: "Auguste Rodin exhibiting his talents on racecourses across the world again next year is fantastic news for the sport and its legions of fans. It will be intriguing to see how he does on dirt if he ends up on that in America at the end of the season. With Aidan talking about all races from a mile to a mile and a half, we’ve added him into the market for Europe’s most prestigious event."

2024 Breeders' Cup Classic

Coral: 8 White Abarrio, 12 Auguste Rodin, Fierceness, 14 City Of Troy, 16 Derma Sotogake, 20 Saudi Crown

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