Brussels

What has become clear, both from his recent results and from O'Brien's own observations, is that Brussels has developed into a different horse than the one who won at The Curragh sixteen months ago. He is physically massive — O'Brien describes him as "a big, strong, fast horse" and "a massive, big, powerful horse" — but size has come with immaturity. The trainer notes that Brussels was "babyish" when he broke his maiden, and that assessment has only become more relevant. His last six races show no wins, with finishes of 5th, 7th, 12th, 5th, 19th, and 4th most recently. The 19th-place finish is particularly stark, though O'Brien's comments suggest he remains convinced of the colt's ability rather than worried about his talent.

The plan going forward centres on ground and patience. O'Brien wants better conditions underfoot and is aiming Brussels at the Commonwealth Cup, a significant sprint race. At Class 1 level — the sport's top tier — Brussels has managed zero wins from three attempts, a sobering statistic that reflects just how hard racing at the very top is. But O'Brien's tone is one of backing the horse's long-term prospects rather than panicking. All the racing experience this season, he believes, will pay dividends later, and there is talk of classic races further down the line. For now, Brussels remains active and in work, a colt with undoubted speed but still very much a developing prospect.