One Horse, Jockey And Trainer To Follow In 2021

A horse we believe can have a big year stepping up from two to three years of age is the Aidan O'Brien trained Battleground, who last year showed bundles of ability.

The son of War Front has not really put a foot wrong during his career, finishing fifth on debut where he learnt a lot for the experience and since then has gone on to compete at the highest level.

After his debut he went to Royal Ascot and landed the Listed Chesham Stakes and then stepped up to the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and landed the spoils in that aswell.

After that race he suffered a little setback which ruled him out of Group One events at the Curragh and Newmarket, but he was seen once more before the end of the season in America.

O'Brien primed him for the Grade One Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland and although running well he could only finish second behind a big priced home grown horse.

Now a three year old he should mature and build on what he did as a juvenile with some huge contests in the offing for the colt, who has been dubbed as the trainers best horse for the upcoming season.

Moving over to the national hunt sphere and although an obvious pick Gordon Elliott we believe is the trainer to follow in 2021, as we believe he can take over in Ireland from the legendary Willie Mullins.

Elliott over the last three years has been closely competing with Mullins, with the veteran always getting the better of him but in 2021 we think it is Elliott's time to take over.

The owners and horses he has acquired over the last two years have laid a huge foundation for the future and it looks as though he holds plenty of Aces for the next few years with a strong batch of novice chasers and hurdlers.

The likes of Envoi Allen, Sir Gerhard, Ballyadam, Hollow Games and Andy Dufresne to name a few are just the start of horses that will be at the top level for years to come.

Elliott also has the more experienced horses like Tiger Roll, Fury Road, Sire De Berlais, Galvin and Abacadabras that have all proven how good they can be and should go well at the Cheltenham festival.

Elliott over the years has established his position as one of the best jumps trainers in the sport, but we now believe he can be at the top on his own and 2021 is the year to do so.

Finally, a jockey we think is worth keeping on side in 2021 is the Irishman Colin Keane who had a stellar 2020 and from that will be given more opportunities with better horses this year.

The 26 year old although landing his first ever Group One in 2019 on board Siskin in the Phoenix Stakes, In 2020 took things to a new level.

He landed the Irish Champion Jockeys title for a second time riding 100 winners for a second season in a row and also took his roster of Group One winners to new heights.

In the first Irish Classic event of the season he took the Irish 2000 Guineas with Siskin giving Ger Lyons his first ever Classic winner and then later on in the year the pair made it two in a row with Even So in the Irish Oaks.

Keane went on to add to this in the Matron Stakes on Irish Champions weekend at Leopardstown with Champers Elysses for Johnny Murtagh.

His best Group One win of the year came in November on board Tarnawa in the Breeders Cup Turf at Keeneland, where he took the ride at the last minute and expertly steered the filly to victory in the prestigious black type event for Dermot Weld.

After having his best season to date we believe figures like Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore have taken notice of his rise through the sport and will get him riding more of their horses this season.

With Covid stopping Ryan Moore from travelling over to Ireland and riding their horses, the responsibility could fall on Keane's shoulders and that is why he could have another big year.