28 August 2023 , 13:08
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Kyprios, the horse who posted an incredible 20 length win in a Group 1 race last year, is ready to return to action.
The champion stayer has not been seen since completing an unbeaten campaign with his astonishing display in the Prix du Cadran last October.
He ended the year with six wins from six starts including the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Goodwood Cup, in which he defeated Stradivarius by a neck.
O’Brien revealed the injury he sustained could have ended his career but after months on the sidelines he looks set to run in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at the Curragh on September 10, day two of the Irish Champions Festival.
Kyprios won the Irish St Leger 12 months ago, defeating Hamish by a neck, but O’Brien cast doubt on whether he could win the race again.
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“He is in good shape, we’re very happy with him,” said O’Brien. “He was at the Curragh a couple of weeks ago and I didn’t think we’d get him to where he is.
“He could run in the Leger, but if he runs it would be for a run – I couldn’t imagine him being forward enough to be that competitive in that race, but you would still say that he should run a very good race.”
He added: “Four months ago you’d have said he’ll never race again. He got an infection in his joint and then the ligament down the outside of his pastern shifted, so it became unstable.
“Everyone has done a wonderful job with him. If we got a run into him we’ll look towards Arc weekend again, either the Arc or the Cadran, but I would imagine the Arc would be too much too quick for him.
“He’s a very good horse and probably more than a stayer. We saw what he did in the Cadran last year – he just took off.”
O’Brien added Kyprios could be joined in the Irish Leger by stablemate Emily Dickinson, winner of the Curragh Cup over the course and distance before chasing home Quickthorn in the Goodwood Cup.
Derby winner Auguste Rodin and defending champion Luxembourg are on schedule to meet in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champions Stakes, according to the trainer.