Aidan O’Brien lavishes Ryan Moore with praise after ‘greatest ride’

04 November 2023 , 23:25

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Ryan Moore and Auguste Rodin take the applause (Image: AP)

The plaudits rained down on Ryan Moore after he produced a brilliant ride to capture the £3.2 million Breeders Cup Turf.

Not only were race fans in awe of the jockey’s brilliance on Derby winner Auguste Rodin but so too were his peers.

Hollie Doyle called him ‘goat’, greatest of all time, and Neil Callan said: “Well by God that was the best ride I’ve seen any jockey give a horse. Ryan Moore take a bow. Pure class.”

His boss Aidan O’Brien was even more gushing after Moore had found a gap on the rail to steer Auguste Rodin through and land the 1m4f prize by three quarters of a length from Up To The Mark.

“Ryan gave him a brilliant ride,” said O’Brien. “After going three furlongs the race turned into havoc. Everyone wanted to be on the rail and off the rail and it didn't work out as everyone thought.

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“Ryan found himself back but the total brilliant professional he was, he didn't panic, he let him relax. At the top of the bend he had nowhere to go. He didn’t have any option but to go down the inside. It was an incredible ride.”

Moore has been riding for Ballydoyle for 15 years and O’Brien said he can still get better.

“He is getting better.” said O’Brien. “I keep telling him he will improve until he is 45 so he has five years to go.

“He is a total professional. He has everything. His instinct is getting sharper, he is getting stronger. No matter what time you get up he is in the gym before you.

“He knows form inside out, he knows jockeys inside out, he knows horses, tracks all over the world. We feel very privileged to have him.”

According to MV Magnier, Auguste Rodin could stay in training as a four-year-old, one of three options to be considered in the next week along with retirement to stand at stud in Europe or the US.

Jon Lees