So much achieved but more to do as pursuit of excellence continues

Before the Irish Guineas fixture back in May, Aidan O'Brien welcomed an entourage of hacks into the serene confines of Ballydoyle.

He was in grand form, relaxed in his most natural environment. Among horses, O'Brien is at ease, and he is in his element at Ballydoyle, surrounded by family at a pristine training establishment over which he has been a meticulous custodian since 1994.

At 46, the son of a Wexford farmer is the finished article, although he is not someone you would ever describe as an open book. To this day, he exhibits a degree of guardedness in the media, so we probably never get a full picture of the man behind the genius.