Auguste Rodin Next Race – Derby Hero Set for Sheema Classic Return

Last season’s Epsom and Irish Derby hero Auguste Rodin next races in the Middle East, with the globetrotting Breeders’ Cup Turf winner set for his reappearance in the Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup Night in Meydan. That valuable 1m 4f Group 1 race may begin a campaign that culminates in more international exploits.

Auguste Rodin Next Race Expected To Be Sheema Classic

Aidan O’Brien has all but confirmed that last season’s star middle-distance colt is set to begin his four-year-old campaign in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan’s premier fixture on Saturday, 30 March. Many horse racing fans would have expected Auguste Rodin to be sent off to stud after last year’s stellar campaign.

Auguste Rodin disappointed in the 2000 Guineas, but quickly bounced back with Epsom Derby glory and then landed the Irish equivalent. A no-show in the King George at Ascot races was soon forgotten when he took the Irish Champion Stakes and then stepped back up in trip for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. That took Auguste Rodin’s career earnings past £4,000,000.

Despite four Group 1 wins across three different countries aged three, connections have opted to keep him in training for another campaign. Auguste Rodin, a son of Deep Impact, will now return in the coming months. A rough plan is already forming.

“I suppose with Auguste Rodin this year we are going to start off probably in Dubai (March 30), then he might come back to the Curragh for the Tattersalls (Gold Cup), then he could go to Ascot for the Prince of Wales’s,” O’Brien said.

“Then after that it is possible we could have a look at dirt and see what happens because when we cantered him on the dirt at the Breeders’ Cup he was loving it.”

WATCH: Auguste Rodin Wins 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf

Sheema Classic Last Won By Aidan O’Brien In 2013

With the August Rodin next race expected to be in the Dubai Sheema Classic, it’s worth noting that his handler O’Brien hasn’t got the greatest record in the contest. The Ballydoyle maestro last won this race with St Nicholas Abbey in 2013 with son Joseph guiding him to glory (see below).

As of January 24th 2024, there is no current markets available for the Dubai Sheema Classic with the best UK betting sites. However, the betting is set to open up for the Meydan race in the next few weeks.

Fantastic horse 👏

St Nicholas Abbey lands the Dubai Sheema Classic from Gentildonna under a youthful-looking @JosephOBrien2 back in 2013.

Enjoy all the action from World Cup Night tomorrow live on Racing TV 👍 @Ballydoyle @MeydanRacing pic.twitter.com/9uXqrJiPGL

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 26, 2021

Auguste Rodin Horse Profile

1.

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Auguste Rodin Next Race: Could Breeders’ Cup Turf Hero Head Back Stateside?

O’Brien seemed open about sending Auguste Rodin over to America again next year, this time for a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He has stated before that the horse enjoys a gallop on the dirt, so the World Championships feature could certainly be an option later on this year.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic is also ran over 1m2f, and Auguste Rodin has won over that distance in the past when successful in the Irish Champion Stakes. With over eight months until the race, the best ante-post betting sites are quoting him at 16/1 to win.