UK: O'Brien misses Irish Guineas

Joseph O'Brien picked up a four-day suspension at Chester.

Joseph O'Brien
Photo by Racing and Sports

The rider was found guilty of using his whip above the permitted level when finishing a narrow second aboard Betterbetterbetter, who is trained by his father Aidan, in the Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks.

O'Brien will be sidelined May 23-26 inclusive, which includes the Abu Dhabi Irish Guineas meeting. However, he can apply to the British Horseracing Authority to defer the ban as Group One racing will be taking place.

The jockey/trainer combination did get on the scoreboard with the beautifully bred Father Of Science (5-2 favourite) in the GL Events Owen Brown Maiden Stakes.

"He was very green the first time and he still looked that way but he kept going and handled the ground," said O'Brien senior.

"He's a half-brother to High Chaparral by Galileo, he has a lovely mind and he could step up into one of the trials yet.

"I think he handled that ground but it's not ideal for him, he'd prefer it better. I hope he keeps progressing."


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