'This is just the start' - Paddy Brennan predicts big future for Fergal O'Brien

Paddy Brennan believes the breakthrough season being enjoyed by his boss Fergal O'Brien is "just the start" of the up-and-coming trainer's success and even compared him to Paul Nicholls.

Brennan and O'Brien were speaking to the Racing Post for a big joint-interview in Sunday's Racing Post, in which they discuss Brennan's remarkable transformation into a role model for young riders and the story behind O'Brien's hugely progressive career.

The trainer is sixth in the championship in Britain, having already notched a career-best 73 winners, with only Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson posting a better strike-rate in the top 20.

Dream team: old pals Paddy Brennan and Fergal O'Brien at the top of the uphill gallopCredit: Edward Whitaker

"People ask how long this incredible run is going to last and I say this is just the start," said Brennan. "I see things here that I haven't seen for ages. It reminds me of when I came to Paul Nicholls' yard from Ireland a very long time ago.

"I've never seen anyone as hungry as Fergal. You've got to rein that in sometimes but deep down you've got to want it so much that nothing else matters, and that's Fergal, the same as it was Paul in the early days, when he didn't have all the stars and he was working his way towards getting them.

"It's only a matter of time before an Imperial Commander walks through the gate and there are already horses here that give us massive hope in the mornings."

O'Brien added: "We had Alvarado, Perfect Candidate and Creevytennant, all rated in the 140s, and they were our stable stars, but now we have 15 of the same kind. When you have success, it evolves and people want to send you nice horses.

"I've seen plenty of decent trainers go up and then go down again, but what we're looking for is consistency, because if you're consistent, the good owners and good horses will keep coming."

Read more:

'I did feel I'd had enough of it all' – inside the mind of Paul Nicholls

'I should have been banned for life' – Nicky Henderson opens up to Alastair Down

Nick Luck: 'I said then I could die a happy man. And weeks later I nearly did' (Members' Club)

Mark Johnston: 'But for Charlie, I might think it was time to pack up and run' (Members' Club)

Read more from Paddy Brennan and Fergal O'Brien in the Big Read, available to members from 6pm on Saturday or in Sunday's Racing Post newspaper. Join Members' Club here.