Auguste Rodin 'one to get a little bit excited about' after record-breaking win

Doncaster: Vertem Futurity Trophy

It takes something out of the ordinary to write Sir Henry Cecil out of the record books and Aidan O'Brien delivered in spectacular style.

He became the most successful trainer in the history of the Vertem Futurity with a masterstroke that turned an intended non-runner into the hot favourite for next year's Derby and a big fancy for the 2,000 Guineas as well.

It is not enough to have a stream of Coolmore bluebloods with impeccable middle-distance pedigrees to be a champion trainer, you need the courage to take your chance when heavy rain makes conditions less than ideal and the nous to devise a winning strategy.

O'Brien has both of those in spades, which is why progressive Group 2 winner Auguste Rodin – a big market drifter – was given the late go-ahead for the last British Group 1 of the season, which his trainer had won ten times previously.

And it is also why Ryan Moore steered the winner to the stands' rail from the start, tracking Wayne Lordan on stablemate Salt Lake City and Frankie Dettori on Epictetus as the field split into two groups wide apart more reminiscent of the Lincoln here in the spring than the autumn Group 1 challenge.

Strange affair though it may have looked, Moore judged things perfectly. He came through to head the stands' side pack a quarter of a mile from home, saw off overall leader Holloway Boy as that rival hung markedly across the track to join him and scored by three and a half lengths from the rallying Epictetus.

"We came here with the intention of taking him out," O'Brien admitted. "We discussed it and the lads said if the ground is heavy we won't run. Ryan rode in the first ground and said it was soft, he didn't think it was heavy. We walked the track and we felt it wasn't heavy, we thought it was worth letting him take his chance."

Aidan O'Brien, jockey Ryan Moore and groom Aine Murphy with Auguste Rodin after the Vertem Futurity StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Explaining the bold tactical move, he added: "The ground was very cut up in the middle and had been raced on over the far side, this was the only bit that wasn't raced on.

"So we felt at least he was going to be on virgin ground, we hoped he wouldn't be getting stuck in divots. Usually on soft ground, the best of it is when it's not open. We felt we weren't going to see him at his best but the experience was going to do him good.

"It was brilliant it worked out, it doesn't always work out. He really is a horse to be a little bit excited about next year."

The bookmakers were getting more than a little excited about Auguste Rodin, who is now a best-priced 5-1 for the Guineas and 4-1 for the Derby.

"I'd say he'd have no problem starting off in the Guineas," O'Brien said. "He has a lot of class.

"He'll love good ground at Newmarket and you'd imagine he'll get a mile and a quarter on his ear. Usually if horses are that good and that classy they don't have any problem getting a mile and a half. He looks to have all the right things.

"I'm delighted for everyone. Most of the horses we've won this with are homebreds, so that's incredible. I feel privileged to be part of it."

John Gosden, joint-trainer of Epictetus, was not surprised by the Ballydoyle tactics and said: "I thought they might go that way, I was walking the track with Aidan and I told Frankie be careful, they're going to turn right out of the gate and use the stands' rail.

"Epictetus has run great. He's still an immature horse, he's still on the weak side and the ground found him out but he's a grand horse for next year. We'll start him out at a mile and a quarter in a trial, something like the Dante."

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