O’Brien’s Los Angeles Set for Crucial Test in Great Voltigeur Stakes at York

Aidan O’Brien has added a touch of star quality to the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York by supplementing Irish Derby winner Los Angeles, a decision that could have significant implications for the colt’s future targets. Having already stamped his class on the Curragh, where he claimed Classic glory, the Camelot colt now faces a pivotal test in Wednesday’s Group Two contest, with connections weighing up his options for the remainder of the season.

Los Angeles enters the Great Voltigeur as one of the leading contenders for next month’s St Leger at Doncaster, sharing favoritism with stablemate Jan Brueghel. However, his performance at York could determine whether he stays at a mile and six furlongs, steps up to two miles, or even drops back to 12 furlongs, with O’Brien keeping his options open.

“This looked like the right race for him, even with his penalty, so we were happy to supplement him,” O’Brien explained. “He’s got plenty of options after this. There’s the St Leger over a mile and six, the chance to go up to two miles, or even drop back to a mile and four, given he’s already won the Irish Derby. This run should help us decide the best path for him.”

Joining Los Angeles in the Ballydoyle team are Illinois, a winner at Royal Ascot in the Queen’s Vase, and Euphoric, who will both add depth to O’Brien’s challenge. Illinois also has strong credentials after a solid run in the Grand Prix de Paris, while Euphoric could emerge as a dark horse with improvement expected.

While the Ballydoyle trio bring formidable credentials, they will face stiff opposition in the form of King’s Gambit, trained by Harry and Roger Charlton. The three-year-old colt has been unlucky in recent runs, including an unsatisfactory experience at Royal Ascot in the Hampton Court Stakes and a bizarrely run York Stakes over 10 furlongs last time out. Despite his misfortunes, the Charltons are confident that King’s Gambit can prove himself at this longer trip.

“He’s been unlucky not to get his head in front lately,” said Harry Charlton. “At York, he was forced to do the donkey work in what was reportedly the slowest 10-furlong race ever run there, which didn’t suit him against faster horses. However, he showed that stepping up to 12 furlongs is within his range, and if the race is run at a decent pace, he should be right in the mix.”

The race also features Owen Burrows’ Deira Mile, who has been carefully aimed at the St Leger since finishing fourth in the Epsom Derby. Burrows believes his charge has the stamina to compete at this level, and York will provide a key stepping stone towards his autumn target.

William Haggas’ Space Legend, another contender, needs to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket, where he failed to fire up over an extended trip. Prior to that, the colt had looked highly progressive, and a return to form here could see him re-enter the St Leger conversation.

With such a talented and diverse field assembled, the Great Voltigeur Stakes is set to be a fascinating race that could shape the outlook for this year’s St Leger. Los Angeles heads to York with the weight of expectation on his shoulders, but if he can deliver another commanding performance, he will cement his position as a leading force in the staying division and offer O’Brien valuable clues about his next move.