Joseph O’Brien knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup and that was mentioned as a possible goal for progressive young stayer Sons and Lovers, who won the Group III Ballyroan Stakes (1m4f) at Leopardstown overnight.
Bought privately out of the Jane Chapple -Hyam stable last year through a deal brokered by Blandford Bloodstock, Sons and Lovers was gelded and has been competitive in Group and Listed company in his first three runs for his new ownership group before breaking through to win.
Sent off favourite with Dylan Brown McMonagle in the saddle, Sons and Lovers was stroing to the line to beat tough stayer Crystal Black by half a length.
Joseph O’Brien revealed the HOS Syndicate that now own the horse also race Absurde, who has run well in the past two Melbourne Cups and a trip to Flemington is also a possibility for Sons and Lovers, a four year-old son of Study of Man.
“He’s had some very good runs this year and it was his first time going the trip. We were pretty hopeful that he would enjoy it,” said O’Brien.
“There is a race here for him on Champions Weekend (Kilternan Stakes) and we’re also going to look at some international targets in the autumn.
“The owners have Absurde who ran well in Melbourne a couple of times and there is a good chance we could look at something like that for him.
“There are races all over the Middle East and there is also Dubai early next year. Everything is on the table at the moment.”
Bred by Kirsten Rausing of Lanwades Stud, Sons and Lovers was sold as a yearling at Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale for €40,000 to his previous trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam and now has the overall record of two wins and five placings from 12 starts.
He is a half-brother to stakes-placed Secret of Love and is the best of four winners from six to race from stakes-placed So in Love, a daughter of stakes-winner Soft Morning.
Sons and Lovers is the eighth stakes-winner for Lanwades Stud’s young Deep Impact stallion Study of Man, best known as the sire of Group I winner Kalpana.
