IRISH TRAINER AIDAN O’Brien broke the world record for Group/Grade One wins in a calendar year on Saturday when Saxon Warrior won the Racing Post Trophy.
Saxon Warrior — ridden by stable jockey Ryan Moore — gave the 48-year-old legend his 26th win of the year to break the mark set by the late Bobby Frankel in 2003.
O’Brien — wearing his traditional dark glasses no matter what the weather — remained his unflappable self whilst his family and others congratulated him.
John Gosden, trainer of the runner-up Roaring Lion but who had denied him on two occasions in last weekend’s Champions Day at Ascot, affectionately rubbed the back of his head.
However, O’Brien — who started out as assistant trainer to his wife Anne-Marie when she trained National Hunt horses and was crowned Irish champion trainer — refused to accept all the glory for himself despite despairing efforts of the interviewer.
“Sure it is unbelievable,” he told ITV.
“So delighted so terrific for everybody.
“I am but a small link in a big chain. A lot of hard work has been put in by an awful lot of people and I don’t want to name them as I might forget one of their names.
“I am just very privileged to be in this position.”
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