Italy

The three-year-old, trained by Aidan O'Brien at his powerful yard in Cashel, Co Tipperary, has won 1 race from 6 outings — roughly 1 in every 6 — but the record flatters to deceive in the wrong direction. Those near-misses last season came in serious company. A runner-up finish in the Superlative Stakes and then the Acomb Stakes, followed by a third in the Group 1 National Stakes, tells you this is a horse operating at the very top level of racing for his age, not one padding his record in softer contests. He hasn't won much yet, but he has been losing to some very good horses.

His only win came at Leopardstown in May 2025, on debut, which made it all the more impressive. O'Brien noted afterwards that Italy was very inexperienced — green, in racing terms — and was running into a strong early pace for the first time. The fact he won anyway suggested natural ability, and the trainer was quick to point out that jockey Wayne Lordan had given him a masterclass ride, teaching the young horse a lot in a single afternoon. There was already talk of a return to Leopardstown for the Tyros, a significant race for promising juveniles.

Against the very best — Class 1 races, the elite level — Italy has yet to score in three attempts, going 0 from 3. But O'Brien's comments from a stable visit in spring 2026 add important context: he believes Italy is a horse who could genuinely improve as he steps up in distance. Seven furlongs, the trip he raced over as a juvenile, may simply have been a starting point. A mile and a quarter — two furlongs further — could be where he really comes alive. O'Brien's yard has sent out 144 winners already this season, so when the trainer singles out a horse as one who "could turn into a nice horse," it carries weight. Italy raced just yesterday and remains very much in training. The story is not finished.