Aidan O’Brien collected his sixth British trainers’ title on Saturday, the Ballydoyle-based trainer having enjoyed a fabulous season which saw him today equal Bobby Frankel’s world record of Group 1 races won in a season at 25.
He won four of the five domestic Classics this year, and 12 races on the QIPCO British Champion Series, and today was victorious in the QIPCO British Champion Fillies and Mares with Hydrangea.
“It’s a big team effort, and everyone works so hard, there are many links to the chain,” he said. “And we’re very grateful to the lads at the top who put the team together and send us the horses.”
Aidan O’Brien (racingpost.com)
Asked if he thinks he will break the record for Group 1 winners in a season, O’Brien said:
“We hopefully will have runners in the Racing Post Trophy and in two races in France.”
And, of course, there is the Breeders’ Cup meeting ahead, and after Highland Reel’s third in the QIPCO Champion Stakes today, O’Brien confirmed that the son of Galileo will be heading stateside.
O’Brien was presented the award today following the QICPO Champion Stakes by former champion trainer John Gosden, who finished runner-up in the title chase this year. It is the second year in succession that O’Brien and Gosden have filled the first two placings.
Godolphin received the Champion Owner Award, with chief executive Joe Osborne accepting the award.
Despite being out of luck on QIPCO British Champions Day, Osborne reflected on an excellent season for the operation, which included six Royal Ascot winners.
He said: “It’s been a great season for us and it’s a credit to our trainers and horses for us to be Champion Owner; it means a lot to us.
“Today is a huge day – it’s freshest in people’s minds towards the end of the season and we’re delighted to be a part of it.”
Silvestre De Sousa received a rousing reception into the parade ring after being crowned with his second Stobart Flat Jockeys’ Championship.
De Sousa, who racked up 155 wins this season – 44 ahead of his nearest rival and 2016 champion jockey Jim Crowley – received the traditional guard of honour from his weighing room colleagues before being presented with the trophy from Olympic athletes Adam Gemili and Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
“It’s been a really great season and I appreciate everyone who has put me up this year – it’s been very successful,” said Brazilian-born De Sousa, 36.
– racenews@racenewsonline.com
