Former Australian champion So You Think received high praise from his Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien despite finishing second in the Group One Champion Stakes.
So You Think had gone off the 7/4 favourite as he bid to bounce back from a disappointing fourth place in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe a fortnight ago.
However, So You Think, who was switched to O’Brien from Australian great Bart Cummings after Coolmore Stud reportedly paid $A25million for a majority share last November, was beaten in a thrilling duel by Cirrus des Aigles.
While So You Think’s Arc performance had been put down to being given a poor ride by Seamie Heffernan there could be no such excuses here.
Heffernan’s replacement, former British champion jockey Ryan Moore, gave him a perfect ride only to be bested by Christophe Soumillon on the French raider who won in a track record time.
However, O’Brien, who has nonetheless seen his star win three Group Ones this year, was delighted with him.
“He ran a stormer,” said O’Brien, who didn’t leave empty handed as his Ascot Gold Cup winner Fame and Glory won the Stayers race.
“The boys (his owners) will decide on future plans.
“He’s a big horse with a big heart and must be some horse.
“They breed them tough in Australia.”
So You Think was actually bred in New Zealand where his sire High Chaparral stood several seasons at Windsor Park Stud before being added to Coolmore’s Ireland-Australia shuttle roster.
A full brother to So You Think from High Chaparral’s final New Zealand crop will be offered at next year’s Easter Sale in Sydney.
AFP AAP TURF
