Doug O'Neill Seeks More Smiles in the Godolphin Mile at Meydan

The trainer will saddle Raging Torrent against South American contenders Mufasa and Oasis Boy on Dubai World Cup day

Raging Torrent Aims to give O'Neill his third Godolphin Mile victory / BREEDERS' CUP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for TDN – DRC Media Team).- When Doug O’Neill has the right horse, he doesn’t hesitate to take him to the biggest international stages. On April 5, the California-based trainer will look to capture the Godolphin Mile (G2) for the third time in his career—and the second consecutive year—with Grade 1 winner Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief).

“It’s truly an honor to have a horse good enough to travel for races like this,” said O’Neill, a two-time Kentucky Derby (G1) winner with international success, including the stunning victory of Fleetstreet Dancer (Smart Strike) in the 2003 Japan Cup Dirt (G1) after being claimed. “It’s an incredible experience for the whole team and the owners. I’m grateful to work with such a talented and classy athlete who allows us to compete at this level.”

Purchased for $75,000 at the 2023 Ocala Breeze-Up Sale, the dark bay colt made an explosive debut at Del Mar two summers ago, but his true breakthrough came a year later at Churchill Downs, where he romped in an allowance over seven furlongs, posting a sharp time.

“He always showed ability from the beginning, but that Churchill Downs race was a ‘Wow, OK!’ moment,” O’Neill recalled. “To travel and run like that confirmed we had something special. That’s when we realized he might be different.”

Two starts later, Raging Torrent faced off against The Chosen Vron (Vronsky), widely regarded as one of California’s greatest sprinters, in the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar. After setting a demanding pace, the colt was headed in the stretch but fought back with incredible determination to reclaim the lead, winning by a neck and punching his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup.

“That was a really special win because The Chosen Vron is a legend,” O’Neill said. “Most horses look him in the eye and back down, but Raging Torrent showed his heart that day.”

Seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) behind recent Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) hero Straight No Chaser (Speightster), Raging Torrent then partnered with Frankie Dettori for the first time in the Malibu Stakes (G1), where he fully justified his 12-5 favoritism in the Boxing Day feature.

“After the Malibu, we circled the Godolphin Mile on the calendar,” revealed O’Neill, who is aiming to repeat last year’s triumph with Two Rivers Over, a son of Tamarkuz—also a winner of the race—who surged late to defeat Walk of Stars (Dubawi).

O’Neill first won the Godolphin Mile in 2007 with Spring At Last (Silver Deputy) and knows the advantage of having a world-class jockey like Dettori at Meydan.

“Having Frankie aboard, one of the greatest of all time, is a huge asset,” he noted. “He knows the horse well, has worked him, and has already won with him, so it’s a big plus.”

On March 9, Raging Torrent breezed six furlongs in a sharp 1:12.20 at Santa Anita. Since then, he has had lighter maintenance works, but O’Neill assures the colt is thriving and has adapted smoothly to the long journey from California to Dubai.

“Yes, he traveled perfectly, has a great appetite, and his energy level is excellent, according to my team. So far, everything is going well,” the trainer reported.

While Raging Torrent initially struggled to handle distances beyond seven furlongs, O’Neill has no doubts about his ability to handle the one-turn mile at Meydan.

“Not at all—I actually think that’s the key,” he said. “He’s got a ton of stamina. He’s a bit sharper than Spring At Lastand Two Rivers Over, two fantastic horses, but he combines six-furlong speed with the ability to sustain his effort over a mile. He’s got all the tools—now we just need to get there healthy and in top form.”

O’Neill confirmed that Raging Torrent will have one final light breeze over the weekend before he personally travels to Dubai on April 3 to oversee the final preparations at Meydan.

Alan Carasso