Warrior O’Brien 26-up! AIDAN BREAKS RECORD AS SAXON WINS POST TROPHY
AIDAN O’BRIEN saluted an “incredible” landmark as Saxon Warrior showed courage in battle to lift the Racing Post Trophy – and deliver history.
O’Brien saddled four of the 12 runners in the Group 1 juvenile test as he sought to move past American legend Bobby Frankel’s record of 25 toplevel triumphs in a season.
Saxon Warrior, the 13-8 favourite, looked booked for second as Roaring Lion swept to the front with half a furlong to run, but fought back to score by a neck.
“It’s incredible,” smiled O’Brien, the picture of calm amid the celebrations.
“It’s a lot of hard work, and we’re delighted that it did happen today, because you could go to the end of the year and not win another Group 1.”
Modest O’Brien played down his own role in the unparalleled success of the Ballydoyle stable in Co Tipperary.
But Saxon Warrior’s jockey Ryan Moore said: “I’ve worked with the best and there’s no doubt in my mind that Aidan is an extraordinary talent.
“He’s been at the top for 20 years. He deserves every plaudit and accolade that’s given to him.
“All his horses are so well prepared and well behaved – he sees what they could be and he makes them into that. They make it very easy for me.” Saxon Warrior, a son of Japanese champion Deep Impact, is now as short as 7-2 favourite for next year’s Investec Derby.
But he was also cut to 6-1 for the 2000 Guineas – and O’Brien added: “Ryan was very adamant that he had a miler’s pace – that’s what you like to hear.
“I think anything from a mile to a mile and a half he’d probably be very comfortable at.
“He could start off in a Guineas and go on – there is plenty of stamina in his pedigree.”
NIGEL Twiston-Davies stole the show at Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting as Cogry (13-2), Foxtail Hill (15-2) and Calett Mad (6-5) gave the trainer a 139-1 treble.