Aidan O’Brien has confirmed that Dylan Thomas will be aimed at the Breeders’ Cup Turf following his superb victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The Danehill colt overcame unsuitable ground to repel the challenge of Youmzain in the dying strides to hand O’Brien his first victory in the prestigious middle-distance contest.

Having survived a protracted stewards’ inquiry O’Brien paid tribute to the ‘masterful’ ride from Kieren Fallon, who has now won six times on the four-year-old.

“What a masterful ride he gave him and I don’t think he has ever been beaten on this horse,” O’Brien explained.

“When Kieren gets on a horse he goes into a different land. What a unique talent he is.”

Dylan Thomas swerved the Arc 12 months ago because of Hurricane Run and was only entered in the 2007 renewal as an afterthought. The Breeders’ Cup had been nominated at the end of season, and career, target for the horse and the Monmouth Park feature remains very much on the agenda.

“He is a marvellous horse and has won despite everything,” O’Brien added.

“Everyone knows he is best on hard ground but he is a wonderful horse and Kieren gave him a great ride.

“On real fast ground he is amazing. We were worried about the ground but he has overcome it with his determination and he always gives his all.

“We felt coming into the race that this horse is a heavyweight and a lot of horses in it were still middle of lightweights.

“The plan if everything goes well is to go for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. I’m not sure if he will stay in training next year but he probably won’t.

“He is so unique and is the last of the Danehill’s so you can’t afford for anything to happen to him.”

Prix Niel winner Solider Of Fortune had been strongly tipped to outshine Dylan Thomas, especially after the ground failed to dry out sufficiently for the eventual winner. However, the Irish Derby winner was hampered by his stable companion inside the final two furlongs and came home in fifth, a result that did not displease his trainer.

“Soldier is a very good horse. He might have done enough for this year and he is something to look forward to next year,” he continued.

“We consider Dylan a heavyweight but I think Soldier will be an amazing talent next year as he has that pure, natural, raw ability.”
(Source: Setanta Sports)