O'Brien Continues Domination In Europe

Trainer Aidan O'Brien, who got his first Breeders' Cup win this year with Johannesburg in the Juvenile, continued his dominance over European racing when three horses from his stable ran 1-2-3 in Tuesday's Grand Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Fr-I) in Paris, France. With jockey Jamie Spencer aboard, O'Brien's Ballingarry took the lead with 2 1/2 furlongs remaining in the 1 1/4-mile test for 2-year-olds and then held off Castle Gandolfo, with regular stable jockey Mick Kinane aboard, for a one-length triumph.

The first- and second-place horses are both homebreds for Mrs. John Magnier's Orpendale and third-place finisher Black Sam Bellamy races for Magnier and Michael Tabor. Ballingarry is an Irish-bred by Sadler's Wells produced from the Desert Wine mare Flamenco Wave and the runner-up is a U.S.-bred by Gone West out of the Northern Dancer mare Golden Oriole.

In addition to his sweep of the top three positions, O'Brien was also registering his 23rd group/grade I victory of the year, reportedly a world record for any trainer.