Modern day training great Aidan O’Brien has been left humbled by being inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame.
The 54-year-old was unanimously chosen to join Vincent O’Brien, Sir Henry Cecil and Sir Michael Stoute to receive the honour which sets out to immortalise the stars of British Flat racing, both human and equine.
Lester Piggott, Frankel and Galileo, O'Brien's first Derby winner, are already in the Hall of Fame.
O'Brien, who has trained over 4,000 winners, will receive his medal before racing at Newmarket on Saturday where he will saddle red hot favourite City Of Troy in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas.
O’Brien said: “It is incredible, and a privilege for us, as it is something we would never have expected.
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“The people, and horses, that have gone before us I feel very privileged to have worked with. I can’t say how delighted, and honoured, I feel.”
O’Brien has swept all before him since saddling Wandering Thoughts to win a handicap at Tralee back on June 7th, 1993, on his first day as a trainer.
Although now best known for his exploits on the Flat it was over Jumps that O’Brien made his name after being crowned champion Irish Jumps trainer for five consecutive seasons.
Aidan O'Brien (right): celebrates after Istabraq won the Champion Hurdle (Alamy Stock Photo)He trained While the mighty Istabraq to three Champion Hurdles victories among 14 Grade 1 wins before he was installed as the new trainer at Ballydoyle from where he became the youngest to win Ireland’s Flat trainers’ championship, aged 26.
In Britain he won the trainers’ title six times and captured the Derby a record nine times, his first with Galileo, whose success as a stallion has underpinned so much of his subsequent dominance.
Galileo: Aidan O'Brien's first Derby winner in 2001 (Mark Cranham)His other accomplishment include ten wins in the 2,000 Guineas and Oaks, seven 1,000 Guineas and six St Legers.
In 2017 O’Brien trained a world record 28 Group/Grade One winners in a calendar year to eclipse the previous record of 25 set by legendary American trainer Bobby Frankel.
Last year he became the most successful trainer at Royal Ascot when taking his tally to 85 wins.
For more information about the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame, visit horseracinghof.com
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