Joseph O’Brien is weighing up a St Leger-type programme for Queen’s Vase winner Limestone while keeping Thundering On and James J Braddock in play for major Curragh targets this weekend.
The County Kilkenny trainer has three live middle-distance and staying threads after a productive spell across Epsom and Royal Ascot, with Limestone’s narrow Queen’s Vase success putting him into the Classic conversation for later in the season.
Limestone beat Del Maro by a nose over 14 furlongs at Ascot, taking his record to four wins from six starts.
O’Brien said he still needs to discuss plans with the ownership group, but described the colt as an obvious candidate for a Leger-type route, with prep options in Britain or Ireland and the Grand Prix de Paris also on the table, according to Sporting Life’s report on O’Brien’s plans.
Joseph O’Brien won the St Leger – the oldest English Classic – for the first time in 2020 with Galileo Chrome.
While his dad Aidan O’Brien has nine St Leger wins to his name, including the last three runnings.
WATCH: Limestone Winning The Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot
Curragh options shape O’Brien’s week
Thundering On could return quickly in Saturday’s Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh after her emphatic Oaks win at Epsom.
O’Brien said the filly appeared to have come out of Epsom well, a notable point after Legacy Link, the Oaks runner-up, disappointed at Royal Ascot.
James J Braddock remains on course for Sunday’s Irish Derby after finishing third at Epsom.
Joseph O’Brien said the colt had come forward from the Derby experience despite not behaving perfectly on the day, calling him an exciting runner for a race that could also feature a sizeable Aidan O’Brien team.
