O'Brien entrusts Abbey to son and heir apparent

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A race that could scarcely accommodate any fresh intrigue obtained a mildly sensational new dimension yesterday when the final declarations were made for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Joint-champion apprentice of Ireland last year, O'Brien Jnr has since confirmed himself an assured and precocious talent, notably with a maiden Classic success on Roderic O'Connor in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. He is understood to have escorted St Nicholas Abbey in plenty of his work at home, and that has become as pertinent a qualification as any since Ballydoyle adopted its present, ad hoc solution to the vacancy created by Johnny Murtagh's departure as stable jockey at the end of last season. For the stable has plainly abandoned its original, professed policy of using the best available, in favour of deploying its own stalwarts – Colm O'Donoghue, Seamus Heffernan and O'Brien Jnr – as back-up to Moore.