O'Brien not giving up on Taj despite defeat

Aidan O’Brien was responsible for even money favourite Taj Mahal for the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden at Leopardstown today but eventually won the race with third-favourite Lancaster Bomber (100/30), under the Champion Trainer’s son Donnacha O’Brien.

Taj Mahal, a brother to 2,000 Guineas hero Gleneagles, was quite laboured in the home straight as Lancaster Bomber fought out the finish with second favourite True Valour The winning son of War Front battled gamely to the line and eventually gained a short-head win over True Valour, with Taj Mahal staying on for a never nearer third.

Much of trainer O’Brien’s post-race thoughts surrounded the performance of the highly regarded Taj Mahal, saying “obviously we thought the other horse (Taj Mahal) would win, but he wouldn't go on to the first road and he was backing off, before then staying on to be third. Seamus (Heffernan) was very positive about him after and I thought he wouldn't be but is very babyish and very immature still.

“Seamus still believes that he could be a very good horse and the first day he ran he was extremely green and we thought today that he would go forward, but he is just mentally very slow. We'll see what will happen.

"The winner had a nice run the first day and had a nice draw and got a nice position - Donnacha gave him a nice ride."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy