Ballydoyle stars September and Happily set for Debutante duel

Aidan O’Brien will run at least two fillies in the Debutante Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday and revealed it is “quite possible” September, current ante-post favourite for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, could go toe-to-toe with stablemate Happily, a hugely impressive winner of the Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown last month.

O'Brien is responsible for six of the 11 entries in the Group 2, a race he has won 11 times in the past with horses such as Lillie Langtry, Ballydoyle and Rhododendron.

September has not graced the track since running out an impressive winner of the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot but O’Brien has revealed the daughter of Deep Impact is on track to appear at the Curragh, but hinted that Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes winner Clemmie was an unlikely runner.

He said: “At the moment it's quite possible that both September and Happily could take each other on in the Debutante Stakes.

Happily: impressed when winning the Silver Flash Stakes last time outCredit: Patrick McCann

“September has not run since winning the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, but we have been happy with her since, and Happily has done well since winning at Leopardstown.

“Nothing is written in stone just yet but we have been happy with both fillies and it's likely that we will run more than one in the race.

“Clemmie is very well at present but she has already gained plenty of experience and she may not need it as much as the others do at this stage in their careers, while Magical is also entered.

"We will have a clearer picture closer to the time but that is how we are thinking now.”

Order Of St George (blue) was narrowly beaten in the Ascot Gold Cup last tiimeCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Order Of St George is another likely runner for Ballydoyle this weekend and will be bidding to get back to winning ways in the St Leger trial on Saturday, before he will aim to regain his Classic crown – which he lost last year when beaten by Wicklow Brave – in the Irish St Leger next month.

O’Brien said: “Order Of St George is ready to start back in the Leger Trial on Saturday with a view of running back in the Irish St Leger next month.

“We gave him a little break after Royal Ascot and he is very well in himself and it is likely that he will run.”

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