OpinionPeter Scargill
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Aidan O'Brien's relentless march puts another record-breaking year in his sights

The champion trainer is so dominant he could break his own Group 1 record

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Deputy industry editor
Aidan O'Brien: on track to match or better his haul of Group/Grade 1s in a year
Aidan O'Brien: on track to match or better his haul of Group/Grade 1s in a yearCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

When the photo finish and stewards’ inquiry went against him in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, Aidan O’Brien might have been minded to say, “No bother, they can have this one.”

Okay, perhaps he wouldn't have adopted quite such a phlegmatic stance given his competitive nature, but, with 18 Group 1 wins on the board already in 2025, the odd one not quite bouncing your way is less of a problem than it might be.

Gstaad may have failed by a head to defeat Zavateri – whose victory is a tremendous credit to the horse, his rider Charlie Bishop and the skills and ambition of his trainer, Eve Johnson Houghton, and owners, Mick and Janice Mariscotti – but most other things went in O’Brien’s favour at the weekend.

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Published on inPeter Scargill

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