Flynn has designs on big prizes
Designs On Rome could be targeted at the Beresford Stakes or possibly a trip to France after his fast-finishing second to Dawn Approach in the Vincent O’Brien Stakes at the Curragh.
County Waterford trainer Pat Flynn, who has saddled nearly 700 winners, has made no secret he considers the two-year-old to be the best horse he has trained.
“It’s as though he had no race. I’ve always said from day one this is the best horse I’ve ever trained,” Flynn said of the Holy Roman Emperor colt.
“Danny (Grant) was adamant that if there had been another furlong we’d have put it up to Dawn Approach. He was closing rapidly at the line.
“Dawn Approach is the best two-year-old in Europe at the moment so for me to say that is unreal. We were closing.
“This horse does not know how good he is yet. He is just learning and ran a bit green. The penny dropped in the final furlong and he just took off.
“He’s a very special horse and it will be proven down the road. He’s a Group One horse and I’m just delighted to have him.
“I wanted to enter him in the mile Group One on Arc day (Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere), but I didn’t know you had to contact the Turf Club three weeks before that to take the entry. It’s some rule in France I didn’t know about.
“If he is sold he could be supplemented in that race. That is his race, I think.
“He is for sale and he does have a good pedigree. There are people interested. I took four phone calls on Saturday, but I just want to let the dust settle for a little while and I’ll think about it.
“He’ll get a mile now and a mile and a quarter next year, no problem.
“He is in the Beresford and we have him in next year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas.
“If I still have him I will seriously think about the race in Longchamp next month, but he is in the Beresford and I might go for that.
“It is nearer home, but I just feel if someone bought him he could be supplemented for France.”
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