So You Think’s European campaign is set to begin in Monday’s Group 3 Mooresbridge Stakes (1m 2f, approximately 2012 metres) at The Curragh.
Arguably the most anticipated European debut in years, So You Think will be out to join the likes of Fame and Glory (2010) and Septimus (2007) on the Mooresbridge honour roll.
Reports out of Ireland suggest that trainer Aiden O’Brien favours the Group 3 as the best starting point for the son of High Chaparral.
Formerly trained by Bart Cummings, the feats of So You Think have been somewhat overshadowed by the incredible performances of Black Caviar.
In any other year, the handsome stallion would have been an odds on favourite to win Horse of the Year, having won the Cox Plate, the Mackinnon Stakes, the Yalumba Stakes, the Underwood Stakes and the Memsie Stakes.
He was also a gallant third to Americain in the Melbourne Cup.
Instead, he will be aiming to win the Cartier Horse of the Year in Europe – which, if he performs to his best, is not out of the question.
From here, So You Think is likely to go to the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (1m 2f), also at The Curragh, on May 22.
He is also likely to target the Group 1 Prince of Wales Stakes (1m 2f) during the 300th Royal Ascot carnival on June 15.
Other potential European targets throughout the year could be the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes (1m 2f), the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m 4f), the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (1m 2f) and the Group 1 Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe (1m 4f).
He may also be seen elsewhere around the world, with the Breeders’ Cup Classic or Breeders’ Cup Turf likely to come under consideration.
O’Brien has also been known to target horses at the Japan Cup and at the Hong Kong International Races.
However, it all depends on how So You Think runs on Monday.
The Mooresbridge Stakes will be shown late on Monday night on Sky Racing 2.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
