Aidan O’Brien on cusp of world record

Trainer Aidan O’ Brien (centre) with Hydrangea who gave him his 25th Group One win for 2017.

Aidan O’Brien is looking to three upcoming Group One races in Europe to claim the outright world record for most top-level victories in a calendar year after equalling it at Ascot.

O’Brien drew level on 25 with the late Bobby Frankel when Hydrangea won the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

It has been an amazing season for O’Brien, 48, who is never slow to credit others with success.

“I think it’s the best group of horses we’ve had – a whole team in all different sectors,” O’Brien said.

“It’s a big team effort. There’s a lot of links in the chain and everyone works so hard.

“The lads (Coolmore) put a lot of effort into getting the right people for the team.”

With the season drawing to a close opportunities are running out for O’Brien, but there are chances at Doncaster and Saint-Cloud next weekend before he switches his attentions further abroad.

“There’s the Racing Post Trophy and two races in France next week so hopefully we’ll have plenty of runners,” O’Brien told ITV Racing.

“We do our best. It’s very hard to get our ducks in a row all the time. We’re very grateful whenever we win.”

Part-owner Michael Tabor could not speak highly enough of O’Brien, but also credited the team effort.

“I suppose it is like baking a cake. You have to have all the ingredients and if you don’t have one of them the cake is OK but not quite right,” he said.

“It is a fabulous achievement by Aidan. It is incredible. Really, words can’t describe how dedicated he is and the whole family. It is a marvellous achievement.

“I think he takes it all in his stride.

“He is a modest man. He is not one to go shouting from the rooftops, that is the way he is. I am sure when he gets home at night he sits back in a chair and maybe watches a replay and takes great satisfaction from it, like we all do.”