THE luckiest horse in John Oxx’s Currabeg yard is called Aced It. He might never get this attention again.

He’s a twice-raced three-year-old maiden. But the press posse, arriving to Curragbeg to the launch of the new flat season, made a bee-line for his box.

It’s now 10 years since the last time was a group of press and photographers gathered in this yard, after the triumphant home coming of Sea The Stars when his Arc win had sealed that season of seasons.

Displayed around his box that day he had winners’ sponsored rugs from the Guineas, Derby, Eclipse, Juddmonte International, Irish Champion Stakes as well as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Today, as press cameras go to photograph his name plaque, where Sinndar and Alamshar also rested, Aced It looks out of the box for a photo.

There perhaps could be no better illustration of the change in fortunes in recent years of the great horse’s trainer.

Oxx, who took out his first licence in 1979, admits the last few years have been “a bit bleak” but the merging of his yard with Patrick Prendergast, who is happy to stand today in the background, has him optimistic for the new season.

“Last year I looked around and counted seven horses that I thought I could win a race with. They won eight so I was right!”

Oxx reflects on the great horses that have come though the yard and his voice still catches when he remembers Michael Kinane’s words after Sea The Stars’ Derby – “this is one of the greats.

“It still bothers me! He was bred to be special and he looked special but how many of those do you see... until he won the Derby, that was the real test.

“They need the physical and metal constitution to go through the winter and then, it’s the toughest thing you can ask to go 2000 Guineas, Derby, Irish Derby.

“It’s an exciting time of the year. We are all eternal optimists, and we all love getting up in the morning hoping we are going to see something special.

“The past five or six years has been very frustrating. You are always philosophical about these things. The world never stays the same, there are always changes and you have to keep your head down and battle along.

“We have managed that, and when we weren’t in the limelight every year nice people came along and sent us horses. There are plenty of new owners now which I didn’t have six or eight years ago.

“We have around 75 horses this year, and a nice spread of two-year-olds and others.

“We have about 15 horses for Godolphin, which is appreciated, some sharper-looking two-year-olds this year.

“Hopefully we are in a position now to start having better results and try to reward people that are kind enough to send you horses.”

Oxx kicks off the flat season with Ho Ho Bird at Naas tomorrow.

The stables of John Oxx on the edge of the renowned Curragh training grounds was the venue for the launch of the new Irish Flat season this afternoon. Pictured is Skitter Scatter Credit ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

SKITTER SCATTER

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Scat Daddy - Dane Street (Street Cry)

Anthony Rogers & Mrs Sonia Rogers

Skitter Scatter, the star two-year-old filly from last season has moved home and the 1000 Guineas as her first target. Oxx describes her as a “sweet filly.”

“She’s big enough, but the worry is that other horses are going to progress more than her. She has a big heart and a good temperament, which will carry her a long way. She’s not a hefty lass, but is sweet natured and eats her head off. She doesn’t require much work.

“Patrick tells me she has grown. She’s 15.2, which is plenty big enough, but lengthy and a lovely balanced. She was constantly underrated by people last year and kept improving. She improved again when she was stretched out in distance, and it remains to be seen how she will train on,” said Oxx.

“She doesn’t require a lot of work and we haven’t pressed her hard yet. I hope to have her ready to have her first run in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.In the Moyglare she looked beat at halfway on soft ground, but in the end won easily. Her relaxed style will help her get a mile, and you wouldn’t expect her to get any more than that.”

NEW ARRANGEMENTS

Oxx has every faith his association with Patrick Prendergast will prove a successful one.

“Patrick is a man I have always got on well with and I’ve known him all his life. I like the way he does things and we get on very well together. It was a very easy decision for me to make to join up – I’m sure a bit more difficult for him as he was after having his best year as a trainer.

“He has brought some more horses which we needed and a couple of good ones, in particular Skitter Scatter.

“He was at a crossroads, as his place wasn’t big enough that he could expand. Patrick still has some horses in Melitta (Lodge Stables) that he is pre-training and breaking in. He still has a little string there, and is out with me for the fast lots.

“Nothing has changed here, we still have the same staff and Jimmy O’Neill is my assistant. Patrick has sent a few lads to me.”

JOCKEYS

“I have no retained jockey, but we have Niall ([McCullagh] and Ross Coakley who ride work for me, and Patrick has a relationship with Ronan Whelan, who has done well with Skitter Scatter. Could Be King is another nice horse owned by Rick Barnes. Those owners would like Ronan to continue. Colm O’Donoghue is available now and will also be riding for me.”

THE CURRAGH

“The new training grounds are fantastic for people like myself. Thanks to Moyglare, it’s great for the locals and for visiting trainers. It can have a powerful effect on Irish racing, trainers need facilities like this. People will depend on the Curragh, trainers need options, a variety of surfaces, peat moss, sand and fibre, woodchip.”

On the new Curragh racetrack development, Oxx had a look around it recently. “I was really impressed. It’s big enough but not too big. People can be comfortable here. It’s very nicely finished. There’s a nice circular flow to it. I think people will be pleased with it. There are plenty of seats for the ordinary paying customer.”