Aidan O'Brien - Record breaker!

A master trainer looks back on a phenomenal achievement - breaking Bobby Frankel's world-record haul of 25 Group or Grade 1 winners in a calendar year, Aidan O'Brien speaks to our Matt Chapman at the Breeders' Cup in Del Mar on going down in the record books.
Speaking about his winning methods as well as an in-depth look at the horses that helped him to his record feat - including Churchill, Roly Poly, Winter and Caravaggio - we also get something of an insight into Aidan the man. Well, the best we can anyway!
What's his favourite food? And who's always on the phone after his string of big-race successes?!
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[@GBeret83]

The "Irish horse whisperer", and don't ever doubt it. Love Aidan O'Brien's calmness and temperament, or what he displays in public at least. Always came across as a very humble, kind, and likable person that the common man could approach, even with his being a multi-millionaire.

[@ianbrennan840]

Seeing him at a petrol station in Tipperary.. Every person filling up got a selfie with him u feel like he's apologizing wen he talks to u.. Absolute gentleman

[@J10Wilshere]

Nothing to dislike about this man absolutely oozes class

[@bkgraham6193]

All these great comments about Aidan as a Gent . What I appreciate more than all of that is his rapport and total acceptance from each horse he takes to a race - both pre and post. Second his choice of and respect from all his jockeys - from Lester P through Mick K etc to current Ryan M. All his Group One wins were accomplished by these ace Professionals.

[@GBeret83]

And the thing is, had he still been alive to witness it, no one would've been happier or appreciated Aidan's accomplishment anymore than the late, great Bobby Frankel himself would've, himself always the gentleman. He above anyone else would've appreciated the hard work and dedication that Aidan put into to breaking his record, of that I'm sure.

[@kurman4749]

For me personally, there isn't another trainer to compare with Aidan O'Brien. He has won virtually every big race on the planet and is setting new horse racing records every season. His training of racehorses is truly phenomenal, but he is also the friendliest and most approachable trainer you could ever wish to meet. Aidan simply has no equal.

[@cornet959]

The Kentucky Derby, has never been won by a European based horse.

[@alanoshea2132]

Great man , I’ve met him on a few occasions he’s always stopped and talked about racing with me , no airs or graces about him !

[@joanewing7385]

A truly unique person. Once in a lifetime we cone across . A gentleman so softly spoken. A master trainer. Really admire and respect AOB.

[@cubnation]

Joan Ewing Yeah, I have great respect for him. I know he runs clean horses, and that is something special.

[@ianbrennan840]

Ireland and more so the racing world are so lucky to have a man like him.. Absolute gentleman

[@cubnation]

@Pa. D No.

[@MB-zm8lc]

What a great interview! Rare to hear aiden speak at length. Such a modest genius!

[@awuma]

And with a wife and four kids just as brilliant!

[@kengray7526]

Had him in my Taxi a few years ago with his family the nicest of people 😊

[@neermalahdewkurun9285]

Legend

[@stephenord3403]

Just a lovely man, oh, and a top trainer

[@rodyc9545]

Atruly gifted person knows all his staff by name genius once in a lifetime someone comes along that you can say what a man

[@Thanks_for_posting.]

Great family man probably the best or up there with the best trainers of all time

[@jamesmcgreal9749]

I could listen to Aiden O'Brian all day long he is such a Person a brilliant man wonderful

[@nilsenveerupen8772]

I dont think Aidan knows that he is special. What a man. What a legend.

[@craigpope8580]

He does its just he's a true gentleman he don't think hes better than anyone and that's the way we should all be the man is a genius hope he keeps on ruling for many more years

[@jamesmcgreal9749]

I could listen to Aiden O'Brian all day long absolutely wonderful Person wonderful man

[@alexthomas2716]

🐐 the most humble man in the sport

[@strikeforfreedomstables7981]

I Had the Privilege to meet him. What a great man.

[@liambrandon9892]

A hero,cant wait for the movie

[@eddymcpre]

How can you not love aidan lol such a lovely fella

[@gezzaf6912]

Funny how the interviewer tells him almost to stop rambling , Aidan rings his Mum after every race and she begs him when you leaving home son ? but what a lovely man he is TOP GUY

[@gavinduncan7457]

Great family very Successful Trained

[@manusboyle3408]

Legend of a man

[@castortroy6213]

Haha, ya gotta smile when Aidan says he barely knew he had the record when Frankel broke it.. The guys a class act seems to have a lovable and loyal personality.. Boss..

[@shahzad194smk]

Great man!

[@twanx1]

A true gent.

[@louisbarnard3533]

What a man

[@ryanp758]

What legend..I never knew martin o neil liked horse racing

[@blueknight6645]

Gentleman master trainer

[@thomasucc]

Also gives his horses a good home in retirement

[@williamallan7915]

and his son beat him in the Melbourne Cup, what a future he must have

[@awuma]

And what a fantastic record he already has! (Eventer, jockey, now trainer)

[@kieranlee6419]

He would have made a fantastic politician

[@NC-ck5oj]

Even though he's clearly not a normal person, he certainly thinks he is. He'd stop and have a chat with anyone and would take an interest in them. He's exactly the way he comes across here in real life

[@Wines]

#Class #BallydoyleArmy #Coolmore'sBest

[@eddymcpre]

I love him lol.... not even matt can break Aidan lol

[@RBSR5]

AOB TBE

[@mosshourigan]

he's like a cliche generating robot

[@postcardterry]

Perfect comment ! He knows he is fuckin good and everyone who is anyone knows it too. A cliché generating robot perfect !

[@slaneysider106]

Obviously he is a great trainer , but then again obviously cool more buy the best yearlings and obviously they will win a lot of races

[@nightowl7459]

That's it, breed and buy the best and you win top races.

[@kevinthecarrot1448]

1993/94 season O' Brien aged just 24 smashes the old record of 148 winners in racing previously set by Jim Bolger by having 176 winners, making him Champion National Hunt trainer. The following season O' Brien's smashed his record of 176 winners he set by having 241 winners..this making him the champion trainer of all time in Britain and Ireland. O 'Brien was champion National Hunt trainer in 93/94 season and went onto lift the title for the next 5 consecutive seasons. He had tremendous success winning big races such as the Galway plate, Kerry National, Sandowns Whitbread Gold Cup, Champion hurdle. His most successful horse during that time was 3 time Champion hurdle winner Istabraq. Having noted O 'Briens success he was approached by Coolmore owner John Magnier in 1996 and offered the job as head Ballydoyle trainer. You see the young Ballydoyle meastro was lighting up the racing scene long before he took up the role as Coolmore trainer

[@bobdiaz1756]

I remember you were attended by Bob Baffer in America, he must have been the one who told you which food to feed your horses to over perform. Then u come back and call it the luck of the Irish. Yea and Snow will fall. 🤣🤣

[@suemaher5282]

Not a chance my friend u have been watching U.S. racing and imagining we would follow u. We invented the sport Ireland and UK. This made me laugh. Aidan Obrien is the best trainer since Vincent Obrien. I doubt he needs advice from a dubious American trainer

[@jeroldchinttgmail]

Aidan is somewhat like Bruce Lee as he hacks away the unessential in training his horses no wonder he is becoming better day by day to hack away the unessentials is like a sculptor trying to sculpt a horse with a piece of word he hacks until the horse figure comes into view end of story

[@mosshourigan]

a genius obviously but i would rather pull my toenails out than listen to him speak