Aidan O'Brien on faith, Derby winners and the meaning of racing

Richard Forristal finds the phenomenally successful trainer in ebullient form

Aidan O'Brien is relaxed form as he sits in the visitors' room alongside the Giant's Causeway yard in BallydoyleCredit: Patrick McCann

If you are expecting the scoop about Padraig Beggy getting a dressing-down for not reading the Irish Derby script properly or John Magnier unleashing the hairdryer treatment after Sovereign’s shock triumph at the Curragh, turn away now.

Over the course of an hour-long chinwag in Ballydoyle, Aidan O’Brien is generous with his views and deeply engaging.

He often gets characterised in bland terms for sticking rigidly to the Coolmore party line, but that’s also a consequence of over-familiarity that does a disservice to his intellect.

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Published on 13 July 2019inFeatures

Last updated 14:46, 13 July 2019

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