Late-blooming Hydrangea sets brilliant O'Brien on the pedestal alongside Frankel

Aidan O'Brien could not have equalled the great American trainer Bobby Frankel's record of 25 Flat Group/Grade 1 winners in a calendar year in more fitting fashion than with Hydrangea's two-length demolition of the Fillies and Mares.

And, in typically diffident style, O'Brien was quick to share the credit around, saying: "It's incredible for everyone. Everyone puts in a lot of hard work day in, day out. We're a small link in a big chain and we're so proud and delighted for everybody. It's a special day."

Hydrangea came into the race with stamina doubts, having met with defeat every time she ventured beyond a mile this year. It would be enough to deter most trainers, but to O'Brien it was not a bother.

Hydrangea and Ryan Moore power home in the Fillies and MaresCredit: Edward Whitaker

Instead, he stepped her up another two furlongs from her good efforts in the Nassau and the Prix de l'Opera – to a mile and a half for the first time – and she beat them silly, spreadeagling a high-class field.

The 4-1 third choice of the bookies embodied all her trainer's genius. Yes, he has access to the best stock, but this was no good thing. There were plenty of question marks and more fancied rivals, but this was O'Brien just doing what he does and surprising us all yet again by doing exactly what he is brilliant at doing – winning a Group 1. And winning it with ease.

While the ever-humble O'Brien labelled it a "special day", and heaped praise on his team as he always does, his employers were more willing to sing his praises.

After watching his colours carried to the trainer's first success in the race, Derrick Smith said: "The man's a genius, I can't add anything that's not been said many, many times before. This is total reward for everything he does and all the work he puts in. He's just special, isn't he."

Shunning the limelight: O'Brien was quick to praise his team – and the Ballydoyle owners were quick to praise himCredit: Charlie Crowhurst

Special he is. For all that he continues to surprise us, his tricks have worn old on co-owner Michael Tabor, who was not in the least bit surprised at his trainer's ability to conjure another top-level success.

"What superlatives can you use? He's just incredible," he said. "He produces the goods day-in, day-out – 25 is something else. Bobby Frankel was a great trainer and to equal it – and he still has a chance of beating it – is a tremendous feat.

"It's all very well having the raw material, which you have to have, but every year he's just relentless and it's an amazing feat. What more can I say?

"You might not expect it, but we know him too well to doubt him. They [the horses] just get better and better."

Ryan Moore echoed Tabor's sentiments and also paid tribute to Hydrangea, adding: "This year's been remarkable. This filly has been on the go all year and has been getting better and better. I'm delighted for her and delighted for Aidan."

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