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RACING POST VINCENT O’BRIEN 1917-2009 Special commemorative 16-page pullout ## 2 Tuesday, June 2, 2009 racingpost.com VINCENT O’BRIEN 1917-2009

start to remove the earplugs before Lester Piggott, one half The Minstrel was put into the stalls. of the most formidable Vincent was taking no risks. He was always innovative in his partnership in Flat racing thinking, be it sending Sir Ivor to Pisa history, recalls the greatest A match made in to escape the cold and damp of the Irish winter before his three-year-old days he shared with O’Brien season, or using his own flying horsebox to transport his runners to England and France, cutting journey INCENT was the best times and thus minimising the stress trainer I, or any other and strain for the horse. jockey, ever rode for. I first racing heaven Vincent was the best trainer ever at met him in March 1954 at maintaining the value of a horse, a V the Cheltenham National the home turn and Gladness I agreed to think about it, but didn’t my long association with Vincent, this crucial skill in the late 1970s and Hunt Meeting, soon after I’d started showed great courage to resist all really take the suggestion seriously was the most satisfying winner I ever early 1980s when many of the horses riding over hurdles. By then he was that the other runners could throw at until he phoned again and invited me rode. in his care were worth millions. already a training phenomenon over her. to lunch in a private room at the Almost as memorable was Royal the jumps, having won the Champion I first rode a Classic winner for Berkeley Court Hotel in Dublin in Ascot 1993, when I won the Cork and IS insistence that nothing Hurdle three times, the Gold Cup four Vincent on Valoris in the 1966 Oaks, September 1990. Orrery Stakes for Vincent on College was to be left to chance times and the Grand National for the and for the next dozen years or so we Over lunch, Vincent promised that Chapel, who ran in Jacqueline’s could cause problems for first time, with two more Nationals to shared many great moments. Winning if I took out a licence for the rest of colours. Vincent was persuaded to me in the run-up to a big come. the Derby with Sir Ivor, Nijinsky, that season he’d give me first choice lead College Chapel into the winner’s Hrace. He tended not to His parting shot to me at our first Roberto and The Minstrel was of of his rides the following year, by enclosure, and received a wonderful decide until the last possible moment meeting was, “Let me know if you course very special, but so were the which time his arrangement with then reception. It proved his last Royal which horse would run, as he waited ever want to ride in the Grand two Arcs of Alleged. I rode plenty of stable jockey John Reid would have Ascot winner, and mine. to see what conditions were like on National”, but I never took him up on other top-class horses for him, finished. Moments like those are the the day. As a freelance rather than his that offer. including the sprinters Solinus, evidence of Vincent’s genius, but they retained jockey, I was having to keep By 1958 he was beginning to Thatch and Saritamer, and we teamed INCENT’S conviction that I don’t explain it. For me, his my own options open, which could be concentrate on the Flat, and he asked up for 19 winners at Royal Ascot, should ride in races again outstanding quality was his insight difficult if Vincent had not made his me to ride his mare Gladness in the including four in 1975. spurred me into action, into the individual nature of each and mind up. Gold Cup at Ascot. This was my first All wonderful memories, but the and in mid-October 1990 I every horse in his care. He That astonishing attention to detail ever ride for him, and I soon became most golden of all came late in the V returned to the saddle. instinctively knew what each of his was to be seen everywhere at aware that what made him so special day for both of us. The following week, with John horses was capable of, and of how to Ballydoyle, and it was noticeable that was the thoroughness of his In 1990, five years after my sidelined following a fall on Arc day, release each horse’s potential. he never had a very large string. He preparation, not only of the horse but retirement from the saddle, I’d gone Vincent asked me to go to the A vital element in this was his wanted to operate at the level where in this case of the jockey. to Ballydoyle to ride work, mainly for Curragh to ride four of his. They all attention to detail, and there are so he could get to know each individual As there was no opportunity for me old times’ sake. I’d agreed to ride in a won, and a few days later I was on many instances of Vincent making animal as closely as was humanly to sit on Gladness before the day of veterans’ race at The Curragh soon my way to New York to ride his colt sure that every base was covered. For possible. Everything he did was the race, Vincent set up a sort of after that, and Vincent put me up on Royal Academy in the Breeders’ Cup example, when saddling The Minstrel geared to keeping his horses happy makeshift cinema in his Ascot hotel his horse Legal Legend. Mile. before the 1977 Derby he stuffed the and relaxed at home so that they room and showed me films of her Three weeks after that race, in Sadly Vincent was suffering a bout colt’s ears with cotton wool, to lower would perform to their full potential previous races, talking me through the which I finished third behind Yves of flu and could not travel across, but the chances of the drawn-out on the racecourse, and the results best way to ride her. This was in those Saint-Martin and Willie Robinson, Jacqueline and Charles were there to preliminaries on a hot day making speak for themselves. days a highly unusual idea, but it Vincent phoned me and suggested, watch Royal Academy get up and win him boil over, and dispatched his There’s really no argument. Vincent worked. As planned, I kicked on at “Why don’t you make a comeback?” narrowly from Itsallgreektome. Given tallest assistant, John Gosden, to the was the greatest. Racing Post Tuesday, June 2, 2009 3 Colossus who rose to unassailable heights

Yet three times on the bounce ‘the Quiet Master’ won it with different horses all equal to the task. But geldings being geldings, it is on the Flat that the O’Brien legacy will prove imperishable, an influence every bit as profound as Tesio’s piece of wood at the business end of the Epsom Derby which O’Brien made his own six times. Alastair Down At the end of a different classic – the matchless film Casablanca – pays tribute to the Humphrey Bogart says to Ingrid trainer who changed the Bergman: “We’ll always have Paris” face of racing forever and, thanks to O’Brien, those of us wheezing round middle age will always have Nijinsky, the last winner O passes the man against of the Triple Crown, a badge of whom every trainer in the equine excellence unlikely ever to be history of racing can be worn again. weighed in the balance and But if you want a vignette of Sfound wanting. Ballydoyle in full cry look no further The Bible tells us that “your old than the Derby victory of The Minstrel, men shall dream dreams and your a colt who looked as if he’d come out young men shall see visions”, but of a primary school kid’s drawing neither in their most fertile imaginings book, but who had the wherewithal to could begin to conceive of a set of respond to a ride of unanswerable ferocity from Lester Piggott, the achievements comparable to those of supremely selfish sportsman on whom Vincent O’Brien, man for all seasons you could rely to execute the coup de and benchmark for every age. grace with whatever bullet Vincent For over 50 years, first over jumps had so painstakingly loaded. and then on the Flat, he redefined No other racing double act, no forever what it was possible to win ‘O’Brien was a ‘He rightly pioneering figure returned, as in the incalculably heroes should, to important process die in the of restoring Irish spiritual home of national pride’ his native land’ with the racehorse at the highest level. alliance of different talents, has ever When he landed the Cheltenham Gold struck deeper fear among the hearts Cup with his very first runner in of their opponents. And folk were Britain the cynic might have said “well right to be afraid, to be very afraid, as it can only go downhill from here”. In they had about them in the pomp of fact Cottage Rake was not a summit their partnership an aura that was a but merely a springboard, a case of “I full-brother to the invincible. have ignition” before O’Brien blasted Vincent O’Brien rightly returned, as off into the stratosphere he was to heroes should, to die in the spiritual make his own. home of his native land. His life O’Brien with daughters Susan (left), the future wife of John Magnier, and Elizabeth in April 1957 And if there is a single pivot round spanned huge change, the modern which the sport of racing swung from Ireland of today barely recognisable to the ancient to the modern it was extraordinary, but the seedcorn was he always strove to raise his game. Grace. Great though both those that of the years BC – before O’Brien. He began his training career of Vincent’s drilling. Not for him the temptation to rest on achievements were, they relied first Coolmore. during wartime in an Ireland little What is more, O’Brien was a his laurels, to put his feet up in any and foremost on the brilliance of the Publicly a quiet man, Vincent had removed from a third world country pioneering figure in the incalculably comfort zone, he was always questing individual horses involved. one of those faces that knew a which, while free, was still saddled important process of restoring Irish for the next challenge, be it jumps to But to win the Grand National with thousand things and might, just with the cancerous economic national pride and self-belief. Here Flat or the breed as recognised to the three different animals was to enter might, be about to tell you one of consequences of savage and was a man who was simply the best breed as modified by fresh blood from water-into-wine territory. The Aintree them. A diminutive colossus, he was a destructive misrule by the English. in the world at what he did and he over the Atlantic. of those days was a fearsome place of man possessed of both knowledge and He retired as a trainer 25 years on was Irish – into how may ponds of His three consecutive Grand huge, unyielding, upright fences with wisdom, a rarer combination that is from a man being put on the moon private endeavour must that pebble Nationals with Early Mist, Royal Tan drops only lemmings could coach you generally supposed. and through his championing of the have landed. and Quare Times in the mid-1950s about. If you televised a 1950s Grand His final winner was a horse called Northern Dancer line had redrawn the The extraordinary statistics of his remain far more extraordinary National now it wouldn’t have an Mysterious Ways. future of the thoroughbred. The career have been chewed over testament to his ability than the triple audience of 700m – it wouldn’t have How very apt. After all, isn’t that harvest reaped these days by John elsewhere, but what is astounding Gold Cup of Cottage Rake or the an audience at all because nobody the way in which they say God Magnier and Aidan O’Brien is about O’Brien was the way in which Champion Hurdle treble of Hatton’s would dare show it. works? p p q

4 Tuesday, June 2, 2009 racingpost.com VINCENT O’BRIEN 1917-2009 ‘He had a cool, questioning intelligence, tilting his head to hoover up information’

In this article, first published in February 2008 as part of his ‘Racing Heroes’ series, Brough Scott recalls a visit to Ballydoyle in 1984 that showed Vincent O’Brien to have an innovative grip on the art of training racehorses

E WAS in a silent mood lifetime discussing physique, the thing ultimate magical, mysterious racing fourth Gold Cup only three weeks history. The aura they generated was and it had been a tense that struck you about O’Brien was his legend all my conscious life. There earlier. There were pictures in the unique and the fact that in public morning at Ballydoyle. It head. It was a head that was studious, never had been, never would be paper of the horses being loaded Lester said virtually nothing and was late May in 1984 and fastidious, well-groomed and at race anyone to compare. into planes at Limerick. That, in 1953, Vincent very little, only added to their H three weeks earlier El Gran meetings always stylishly well-hatted. Early Mist winning the 1953 Grand seemed a long way away indeed. attraction. For it meant that the Senor had won the 2,000 Guineas In it, you felt, were so many secrets of National was the first time I registered When Vincent saddled Royal Tan horses had to do the talking and with an elan to match all the greats the racing universe that it was no that something special was happening and Quare Times to make it three often, as in the zenith of Sir Ivor and who had gone before. Now the Derby, surprise Vincent often mumbled and out there in Tipperary. The breezy, consecutive Grand Nationals, the Nijinsky, that didn’t leave many what would be a seventh Derby and a paused to prevent too many falling pukka tones of the Pathe newsreel fascination for a racing-addicted superlatives left unsaid. 17th English Classic, beckoned. But out. would have told us the neat little youth was complete. When Vincent did speak, the words Vincent O’Brien did not want to talk. The sensation, that morning, was of figure in the slightly tilted trilby was Imagine the thrill when, after were quiet, careful and very It was as if something was hurting the pressure inside: of all the thoughts trainer Vincent O’Brien, and that he winning ten divisions of the respectful of the talents he trained. him, as if all the worries of 40 years and ideas and options cramming into had already won both the Gold Cup Gloucestershire Hurdle (today’s When I began to interview him on of training were closing in. The sun the skull; of what it must have taken and the Champion Hurdle three years Supreme Novices’) in eight years, he TV in the 1970s, it was like talking to shone, the birds sang and El Gran to transform this sleepy, rural corner running, with Knock Hard adding a switched to the Flat in 1959. The a shy professor about a subject a bit Senor posed perfectly. It was an idyllic of 1950s Munster into the most previous year he had saddled those too complicated for general Tipperary May-time scene with the disciplined, state-of-the-art centre on two super champions, the mare explanation. slopes of Slievenamon as a gleaming the globe. But Vincent was a human Gladness, who won the Gold Cup, backdrop. But the man who had being too. At the end of the morning, ‘In his head were so Goodwood Cup and Ebor under 9st E HAD a disarmingly created this most wondrous of all with the photographer gone and the 7lb, and Ballymoss, who landed the modest smile but was not academies of the racehorse was deep notebook still empty, his face eased. many secrets of the Coronation Cup, Eclipse, King George quite as bashful as he in his own thoughts. This was not “Come in,” he said. racing universe, it and Arc de Triomphe. They were would have us maintain. arrogance, it was close to anguish. It The kitchen was big but it was the heady days and they were to get H One very reluctant day at seemed ill-mannered to intrude. fridge that was important. Out of it better. Newmarket, I sent word that if it was This reticence and sensitivity was Vincent took a bottle of champagne was no surprise he For Gladness was the first O’Brien too much trouble we would be happy absolutely central to O’Brien's genius. and a large slab of smoked salmon. horse to be ridden by Lester Piggott to go on without him. In five minutes No-one had shouted that morning at With characteristic neatness he then often paused to and when, in 1966, Lester jumped he was round. He didn’t say much. Ballydoyle. No-one ever had. In a gathered plates and brown bread and ship from Noel Murless to win the But you could see he was Vincent world of action, Vincent stood out for butter, and we settled down to an prevent too many Oaks on Valoris for Vincent, we had O’Brien. The public should be aware his stillness. afternoon of talk. one of the most exciting, if least of that too. In a discipline where people spent a Vincent O’Brien had been the falling out’ communicative, partnerships in racing In an earlier visit to Ballydoyle he p p q

Racing Post Tuesday, June 2, 2009 5

Vincent O’Brien In numbers English Classics, including 16 six Derby winners 26 Irish Classic victories

Cheltenham Gold Cups, including Cottage Rake’s 4 trio

Triple Crown winner – the 1 great Nijinsky in 1970

Champion Hurdles courtesy 3 of Cottage Rake

Grand Nationals, in 3 consecutive years (1953-55)

British trainers’ titles, two 4 Flat and two jumps

Irish Flat trainers’ titles 13 between 1959 and 1988

Cottage Rake: triple Gold Cup hero for O’Brien had also been keen to state who wore three years of the great Alleged/The racehorse was where he got his Vincent O’Brien has the press of the ridiculous. The abiding memory the trousers in the Piggott/O'Brien Minstrel season that was to put the fulfilment, was something he did hanging on his every word after of that Ballydoyle kitchen is of partnership, at least as far as John Magnier/Robert Sangster better than anyone who had gone another big-race winner Vincent O’Brien laughing at all the preparation was concerned. “I think Coolmore operation on the map and, before. Asked around this time fun that had been had, of him Lester is a great jockey,” he conceded with it, more need than ever for the whether he was tired by the thought was actually as much in thrall to all shaking his head with the crinkly but, and he was happy to have this O’Brien name on the ticket. of having to win everything all over the wonders and absurdities of the smile at just how silly some people quoted, “I would like him to ride in all There were occasions when you felt again, he paused, watched another game as the rest of us, that, at heart, had been. the big races but none of the gallops. that this commercialisation was couple of horses go up the gallop and the professor was a player too. How The one thing that stood out in the All he does is mess them up trying to compromising him, that the younger then said quietly – “Is there anything could we have ever doubted it? Look conversation was the way he talked find out things for himself.” generation was in danger of wrong with winning everything all at those old black-and-white photos. about the horses and the people When he talked like that, you prostituting his talent, as in the over again?” There is Vincent on a donkey, Vincent closest to him. It was with lucidity, realised the innovative grip that he Classic Thoroughbreds fiasco when He had certainly looked tired that in hunting gear, Vincent leading in humour but also – and let’s be very had on his metier. He had a cool, the O’Brien-picked yearlings turned El Gran Senor morning, but he the winner of the 1939 Irish careful about this word – also with questioning intelligence, tilting his out to be a costly embarrassment to brightened up once we got the Cambridgeshire on the wettest, love. Not for nothing does the Bible head to one side as he hoovered up all concerned. But training the champagne going. He didn’t soggiest of days at the Curragh, but call it the greatest quality of all, and any unlikely information you might be particularly want to talk about his Vincent’s trilby and elegant overcoat it’s not too strong an image to explain able to give him. He had a logical, current great horse, beyond saying as immaculate as if it were a passing the very roots of the O’Brien perfectionist approach that put him what a thrill it was to have one who shower in Piccadilly. He was already a phenomenon. years ahead of his time – not just ‘This superhero ranked with the mighty. He wanted to diamond in the dross. Nineteen years after El Gran Senor, flying horses, but weighing them, tell about the early days: of the fun he the readers of the Racing Post voted testing them, ensuring the best of was actually as had himself jumping horses around HEN there are the images of Vincent O’Brien ‘Racing’s Greatest’. everything as he made a science of an the farm, of Cottage Rake and the Grand National parties, There was a small lunch in London to often haphazard profession. much in thrall to Hatton’s Grace; of Bryan Marshall of the team in the early days celebrate. Lester was there, and In private he was much warmer and schooling at Ballydoyle, of thinking at Ballydoyle, but also of Scobie Breasley, Peter O’Sullevan, Will more relaxed, and had time for all the wonders ahead, trying new things, of weighing T Vincent shooting, fishing Farish the American ambassador, and fishing, family and friends. On a train horses like he did his greyhounds and skiing, most of all of Jacqueline John Gosden, who put the cotton trip to York with his daughter and absurdities before his training began, of the and the children in all the stages of wool in The Minstrel’s ears before the Elizabeth in the summer of 1973 or gambles he had because “the money family life. You begin to develop the Derby. Vincent had slowed a touch ’74, he was even talking of scaling of the game as the had to be won”. picture that ‘the professor’ was also a and used the lift rather than the down his whole operation and “doing As he spoke a wonderful truth very complete man. He had a soft, stairs. But he got the message. That it just for fun”. But we were within rest of us’ began to dawn. That this superhero chuckling laugh with a glorious sense all of us loved him too. 6 Tuesday, June 2, 2009 racingpost.com VINCENT O’BRIEN 1917-2009 THE MASTER HORSEMAN OF HIS AGE

INCENT O’BRIEN, were married that December. who died yesterday O’Brien’s exploits at at the age of 92, John Randall looks back at the life, times, achievements and Cheltenham had already put was perhaps the records of Vincent O’Brien, arguably the greatest trainer of him at the top of his profession V greatest trainer of when he became the only racehorses in the history of trainer ever to win three the sport. racehorses in the history of the sport and a genius blessed with an consecutive Grand Nationals. Starting from humble His first Aintree hero, Early beginnings, he was for nearly unrivalled eye for a future Derby winner Mist, had been in the stable for half a century at the pinnacle only a few months when of his profession, producing a scoring by 20 lengths in 1953, long line of champions first depth his stable dominated the (Cambridgeshire dead-heat) Cottage Rake did not run in second-last in the 1952 Gold and he was the first of two over jumps, then on the Flat, jumping scene like no other and Good Days (Cesarewitch), England until his first Cup when going like a winner consecutive National winners and in the process becoming before or since. who both started at 20-1. It Cheltenham Gold Cup, in but made amends under Tim for owner ‘Mincemeat’ Joe a national hero in Ireland. Cottage Rake scored a was a staggering strike for a 1948. His trainer was little- Molony the following year, Griffin and jockey Bryan He was largely instrumental hat-trick of victories for him in small stable and served notice known and he was allowed to even though by that time the Marshall. in putting Ireland in the first the Cheltenham Gold Cup; that the trainer had no master start at 10-1, but he decisively gelding no longer enjoyed Their, and O’Brien’s, second, division of world racing, and Hatton’s Grace did the same in at laying a horse out for a beat the best chasers in jumping and had a bad heart. Royal Tan, was a Grand the variety and duration of his the Champion Hurdle; Knock specific target. England. Next time out he The most remarkable aspect National regular who was achievements, including three Hard added a fourth Gold Cup; This ability, and his finished second under 12st 7lb of O’Brien’s three best jumpers perhaps unlucky not to win the Grand Nationals, four and Early Mist, Royal Tan and judgement of form, served him in the Irish Grand National. was that each had the speed to race more than once. In 1951 Cheltenham Gold Cups, three Quare Times gave him a well in his rise to the top, for it The following season win top handicaps on the Flat he and the mare Nickel Coin Champion Hurdles, six Derbys unique Grand National treble. is no exaggeration to say that Cottage Rake was unbeaten in in Ireland: Cottage Rake the were the only ones left and three Arc de Triomphes, Michael Vincent O’Brien was the O’Brien racing empire was four races, picking up the King Cesarewitch, Hatton’s Grace standing as they approached were unprecedented. born on the family farm near based on shrewd betting. He George VI Chase and, in his the Cesarewitch twice and the the final fence, but he A list of the champion Flat Churchtown, Co Cork, on was a heavy gambler in his second Gold Cup, beating the Lincolnshire, and Knock Hard blundered there so badly that horses O’Brien sent out from April 9, 1917. He was the fifth early days, most of his coups English star Cool Customer. the Lincolnshire. he all but fell. At the same his Ballydoyle stable to of eight children of Dan being placed by Nat McNabb. He completed his Gold Cup Few trainers would even fence 12 months later he did conquer Europe must include O’Brien, a small-scale but His first champion was hat-trick in 1950 and thus have considered running fall, when holding third Ballymoss and Gladness in the successful owner, breeder and Cottage Rake, who was sent became one of only four horses champion jumpers in such position. 1950s; Sir Ivor in the 1960s; trainer. into training with him by to win jump racing’s most races, let alone been capable Royal Tan’s hour of glory Triple Crown hero Nijinsky, School held few attractions breeder Dr Otto Vaughan prestigious prize more than of winning with them. No finally came in 1954, when he Roberto, Thatch, Apalachee, for him and, after leaving at and was then bought by twice, the others being Golden wonder they sprinted away just got the better of Tudor Saritamer, Cloonlara, The the age of 14, he spent a year Mr Vickerman with his Miller, Arkle and Best Mate. from their rivals up the Line by a neck after a Minstrel, dual Arc winner with trainer Fred Clarke before Drybob/Good Days winnings. The next O’Brien champion, Cheltenham hill. tremendous duel up the run-in. Alleged, Try My Best, Solinus, starting to assist his father. He Hatton’s Grace, arrived in his He was also third in 1956. Thatching and Monteverdi in gradually (and unofficially) yard as a fully exposed, small HE week after O’Brien’s Grand National the 1970s; and Storm Bird, took over responsibility for and unimposing eight-year-old, Hatton’s Grace’s third hat-trick was completed by Golden Fleece and El Gran training the horses and also ‘It is no and proceeded to win the next Champion Hurdle in Quare Times, who won the Senor in the 1980s. rode in point-to-points and three Champion Hurdles 1951, O’Brien moved National Hunt Chase at Although the number of under Rules. exaggeration (1949-51). T from Churchtown to Cheltenham in 1954 and on big-race successes diminished Dan O’Brien died in 1943 When landing his first title a yard of his own at the big day at Aintree towards the end of his career, and his property passed to his to say that he dethroned the reigning Ballydoyle, Co Tipperary, overcame the barely raceable Royal Academy put the seal on eldest son, but young Vincent champion National Spirit, and where he gradually built up conditions to score easily. his dazzlingly successful rented the stables and started the O’Brien he became the first horse to one of the finest training The trainer won the Irish partnership with Lester Piggott as a trainer in his own right. win three Champion Hurdles establishments in the world, a Grand National with Alberoni by triumphing in the Breeders’ His first winner was Oversway and the first to win the race at stable which became in 1952 and another stable Cup Mile in 1990. at Limerick Junction (now racing empire the age of 11. synonymous with excellence in stalwart was Lucky Dome, Even if O’Brien had never Tipperary) in May that year. Hatton’s Grace was owned the Thoroughbred. winner of the Spa (now World) trained a Flat winner he would In 1944 he and his principal was based by Harry and Moya Keogh, An equally decisive change Hurdle in 1954. still rank among the greatest of patron, English wool merchant who also had Cheltenham in his life occurred later that Besides Bryan Marshall, the his profession, for in the late Frank Vickerman, landed on shrewd Gold Cup winner Knock Hard year when he met Jacqueline jump jockeys he used most 1940s and throughout the a coup in the Irish Autumn in the stable. Wittenoom, the daughter of an often were Aubrey Brabazon 1950s, for sheer quality in Double with Drybob betting’ Knock Hard fell at the Australian politician. They (Cottage Rake, Hatton’s Racing Post Tuesday, June 2, 2009 7

CV VINCENT O’BRIEN

HHFull name Michael Vincent O’Brien HHBorn Churchtown, Co Cork, April 9, 1917 HHFather Dan O’Brien (trainer and breeder) HHAssistant to Fred Clarke, Dan O’Brien HHStables Clashgannife House, Churchtown 1943-51; Ballydoyle House, Cashel 1951-94 HHFirst winner Oversway, Limerick Junction, May 20, 1943 HHFirst big winners Drybob (1944 Irish Cambridgeshire dead-heat), Good Days (1944 Irish Cesarewitch) HHChampion Hurdle winner Hatton’s Grace (1949, ’50, ’51) HHCheltenham Gold Cup winners Cottage Rake (1948, ’49, ’50), Knock Hard (1953) HHGrand National winners Early Mist (1953), Royal Tan (1954), Quare Times (1955) HHFirst Classic winner Chamier (1953 Irish Derby) HHFirst English Classic winner Ballymoss (1957 St Leger) HHTriple Crown winner Nijinsky (1970) HHDerby winners Larkspur (1962), Sir Ivor (1968), Nijinsky (1970), Roberto (1972), The Minstrel (1977), Golden Fleece (1982) HHKing George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners Ballymoss (1958), Nijinsky (1970), The Minstrel (1977) HHPrix de l’Arc de Triomphe winners Ballymoss (1958), Alleged (1977, ’78) HHBreeders’ Cup winner Royal Academy (1990 Mile) HHAscot Gold Cup winner Gladness (1958) HHChampion sprinters Thatch (1973), Saritamer (1974), Solinus (1978), Thatching (1979) HHChampion two-year-olds Nijinsky (1969), Apalachee (1973), Try My Best (1977), Monteverdi (1979), Storm Bird (1980), El Gran Senor (1983) HHLast Group 1 winner Fatherland (1992 National Stakes) HHLast winner in Britain College Chapel (1993 Cork and Orrery Stakes) HHLast Group winner College Chapel (1994 Greenlands Stakes) HHLast winner and runner Mysterious Ways, MacDonagh Boland Stakes (Listed) The Curragh, September 17, 1994 HHMain jockeys Pat Glennon 1962-63, Jack Purtell 1964-65, Lester Piggott 1966-80, Pat Eddery 1981-86, Cash Asmussen 1987, John Reid 1988-90 HHChampion trainer in Britain 1952-53, 1953-54 (jumps); 1966, 1977 (Flat) HHChampion trainer in Ireland 1959, ’69, ’70, ’72, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’84, ’87, ’88

HHMost wins in an Irish season 511/2 in 1950 and 1959 (Flat & jumps combined) HHMost wins in a British season 18 in 1977 Compiled by JOHN RANDALL

Grace), his brother Phonsie disqualification of English She was the first horse from apart from the question of his His choice caused a split Charles Engelhard, the O’Brien, Martin and Tim challenger Premonition, and the stable to be ridden by integrity, no-one needed to use between him and Murless, and American platinum magnate, Molony, Pat Taaffe and, over he deliberately set out to Lester Piggott. dope to win a moderate event freed him to link with asked him to go to Windfields hurdles, Tommy ‘TP’ Burns, attract new owners. The most traumatic episode with a colt who, soon after, Ballydoyle for 15 years of Farm in Canada to inspect a who was equally effective on in O’Brien’s career was the loss won the Irish Derby on merit. almost unbroken success. colt by Ribot. The trainer the Flat and later became T DONCASTER of his licence over the Eventually the Turf Club, The first outstanding advised against the purchase assistant trainer at Ballydoyle. sales in 1955 he Chamour affair in 1960. faced with legal action, O’Brien/Piggott champion was and recommended that the A measure of O’Brien’s met John McShain, Chamour returned a positive reduced his suspension to another of Raymond Guest’s owner buy instead a son of the domination of the National a rich Irish- drugs test after winning a 12 months. colts, Sir Ivor, who won the untried stallion Northern Hunt scene was provided by A American, and maiden event at the Curragh, Another of O’Brien’s rich Grand Critérium as a juvenile. Dancer. This inspired choice of the Gloucestershire (now bought him some yearlings, and the trainer was warned off American owners, Raymond the yearling Nijinsky had a Supreme Novices’) Hurdle at one of whom was Ballymoss, for 18 months. He had to leave Guest, provided him with his IR IVOR continued to dramatic effect on the fortunes Cheltenham, which was run in the trainer’s first Flat Ballydoyle while his brother first Derby winner at Epsom in carry nearly all before of both trainer and stallion. two divisions. He trained the champion. Phonsie took over the stable. the form of Larkspur, though him as a three-year-old Nijinsky proved himself the winners of ten divisions in Ballymoss was slow to O’Brien had the support of the colt was a very lucky in 1968. In the 2,000 champion two-year-old of eight years including Stroller mature but suddenly improved almost the whole racing world, winner under Australian S Guineas he trounced 1969 with victory in the (1954), who was beaten in the summer of his three- which recognised that, quite Neville Sellwood in 1962. No Petingo, and in the Derby he Dewhurst Stakes, and narrowly in the following year-old career, coming second fewer than seven runners fell unleashed an awesome confirmed his supremacy over year’s Champion Hurdle, and to Crepello in the Derby and or were brought down at finishing burst to reel in the his contemporaries in the 1970 Saffron Tartan (1957), who winning first the Irish Derby, halfway, and Larkspur never seemingly uncatchable 2,000 Guineas. won the Gold Cup after then the St Leger to give the ‘He realised won again. Connaught in a matter of Two top-class French colts, passing out of his hands. trainer his first English Classic. O’Brien won the Oaks with strides. Gyr and Stintino, opposed him Overall O’Brien won 22 As a four-year-old in 1958 he could not Long Look in 1965, and the He was beaten in the Irish in the Derby, but the extra races at the Cheltenham Ballymoss was the best horse following year he became Derby and the Eclipse, but half-mile made no difference Festival in 12 years, but after in Europe, and Scobie Breasley fulfil his Flat champion trainer in Britain returned to something like his and he produced a devastating the 1959 meeting, having won partnered him to victory in the thanks to Glad Rags (1,000 best when second to Vaguely turn of finishing speed the everything worth winning over Coronation Cup, Eclipse, King ambitions Guineas), Valoris (Oaks) and Noble in the Prix de l’Arc de moment Piggott asked him. jumps, he concentrated George and Prix de l’Arc de Pieces Of Eight (Eclipse, Triomphe, and ended his Nijinsky was scarcely out of exclusively on the Flat. He had Triomphe. unless he Champion Stakes). career in a blaze of glory by a canter to add the Irish Derby realised he could not fulfil his In that same season another Valoris was the horse who carrying off the Champion and King George to his laurels, ambitions in that direction of McShain’s horses, Gladness, pursued forged closer links between Stakes and Washington DC and his victory in the St Leger unless he pursued them single- proved herself the champion O’Brien and Piggott, for at International. meant that he was the first colt mindedly. stayer by winning the Ascot them single- Epsom the latter elected to In that same year O’Brien to win the Triple Crown since He had won his first Classic Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup ride her in preference to a filly bought a yearling who became Bahram in 1935. with Chamier in the 1953 Irish and, under top weight, the trained by Noel Murless, to the best and most famous, Derby on the controversial Ebor Handicap by six lengths. mindedly’ whom he was stable jockey. horse he ever trained: Nijinsky. HHContinues page 8 8 Tuesday, June 2, 2009 racingpost.com VINCENT O’BRIEN 1917-2009

HHFrom previous page At this point Nijinsky was unbeaten in 11 races and was hailed in some quarters as the horse of the century, but an attack of ringworm, suffered before Doncaster, left its mark and he was below par in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. He produced his familiar speed to lead inside the final furlong in Europe’s premier race, only to falter and swerve under pressure and go down by a head to Sassafras. He was a shadow of his former self when second to Lorenzaccio in the Champion Stakes 13 days later. Those defeats, although two of the lowest points in O’Brien’s career, did not detract from the colt’s achievements. Nijinsky was unquestionably a great horse and the trainer’s success with the son of Northern Dancer persuaded him that he had tapped into a source of equine excellence. On his later regular visits to the top US sales, he concentrated on the blood of the Canadian champion, and he was largely responsible for the Northern Dancer dynasty becoming by far the most influential of modern times. Other offspring of Northern Dancer who helped to make Ballydoyle the world’s most successful training establishment included The Minstrel, Try My Best, Storm Bird, Lomond, El Gran Senor and Sadler’s Wells. Nijinsky himself became a great sire, and sons of his who achieved top-level success for O’Brien included Kings Lake, Golden Fleece, Caerleon, Solford and Royal Academy. Roberto, who became O’Brien’s fourth Derby winner in 1972, attracted controversy throughout his career and was never a public favourite. Having finished second in the 2,000 Guineas, the colt was due to be ridden at Epsom by Bill Williamson, but the jockey suffered a fall a few days before the race and owner John Galbreath replaced him with Lester Piggott. The latter rode the most powerful whip finish of his career to get Roberto home by a short head from Rheingold, but public disapproval of the jockey switch meant that the victory was greeted in silence. After flopping in the Irish Derby, Roberto then had the temerity to inflict on Brigadier Gerard the only defeat of that great champion’s career. In the inaugural Benson & Hedges Gold Cup (now Juddmonte International) at York, Panamanian jockey Braulio Baeza set a scorching pace from the start on Roberto, who never faltered and came home three lengths clear of the public’s hero. The following year Roberto won the Coronation Cup in scintillating style, but he failed too many times to be a great horse.

Vincent O’Brien and his wife Jacqueline pictured at home in 1994 Racing Post Tuesday, June 2, 2009 9

His stablemates in 1972 included Boucher (St Leger), Abergwaun (Haydock Sprint Cup) and Home Guard (Diadem Stakes), and in 1973 Cavo Doro nearly added to the trainer’s Derby tally, finding only Morston too good. Another Ballydoyle three- year-old, Thatch, was the best miler and best sprinter in Europe that season, for, after being beaten by soft ground in the 2,000 Guineas, he won the St James’s Palace Stakes, July Cup and Sussex Stakes. That year the trainer also saddled champion two-year- old Apalachee for a deeply impressive victory in the Observer Gold Cup (now Racing Post Trophy) and Cellini to win the Dewhurst. Apalachee finished only third when hot favourite for the 2,000 Guineas in 1974 and never ran again, but stablemate Saritamer was the season’s champion sprinter by virtue of wins in the July Cup and Diadem Stakes. In 1975 O’Brien achieved the remarkable feat of saddling six winners from seven runners at Royal Ascot, notably subsequent Goodwood Mile victor Gay Fandango (Jersey Stakes), Blood Royal (Queen’s Vase), Swingtime (Cork and Orrery Stakes) and Boone’s Cabin (Wokingham). His juveniles were headed by Irish champion Malinowski (second in the Dewhurst) and Sir Wimborne (Royal Lodge Stakes). The most precociously fast filly ever to come out of Ballydoyle was Cloonlara, whose spreadeagling victory in the 1976 Phoenix Stakes made her Europe’s champion two-year-old filly, though temperament later got the better of her. Thatch, Apalachee, Swingtime, Cloonlara and King Pellinore (second in the 1975 Irish Derby) ran in the colours of Irish-American Jack Mulcahy, who told O’Brien to get “a piece of the action” – i.e. to become a part-owner of the horses he trained and thus profit directly from his expertise at increasing their value. O’Brien later described this as “the best advice I ever got” and it made him extremely rich, first through the Mulcahy horses, then through the horses owned by the syndicate headed by Robert Sangster. Sangster wanted to expand his breeding and racing interests but had difficulty buying potential stallions which other people had raced. His solution was to buy yearlings with top pedigrees and make his own stallions. To this end he needed the best possible trainer, which meant O’Brien, and he also linked up with John Magnier, who later became O’Brien’s son-in-law and ran the breeding side of the operation from Coolmore Stud. Sangster provided the enterprise and Magnier the business brain and expertise in the stud world, while O’Brien HHContinues page 10 10 Tuesday, June 2, 2009 racingpost.com VINCENT O’BRIEN 1917-2009 Rollcall of legends – and one final brilliant flourish at Belmont Park HHFrom previous page immediately despatched to Arc, making him the only dual (Moyglare Stud and Cheveley Stunning scenes stud. winner of Europe’s premier Park Stakes) and maiden-race at the 1990 was responsible for selecting After the King George it race since Ribot. winner Golden Fleece. Breeders’ Cup the yearlings and developing scarcely seemed possible that Of his stablemates, Jaazeiro Golden Fleece won the as Royal them into the champions that Academy (near) The Minstrel was not even the won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Ballymoss and Nijinsky Stakes were needed to finance the lands the Mile best three-year-old colt in his St James’s Palace Stakes and in the spring of 1982 and then exercise. For nearly a decade, under Lester stable, but when the later- Sussex Stakes, and champion faced his only serious test in with the considerable Piggott, who maturing Alleged ran away sprinter Solinus the King’s the Derby, in which he showed assistance of Northern Dancer, O’Brien had with the Great Voltigeur Stakes Stand Stakes, July Cup and a dazzling turn of foot to win they dominated European persuaded to the following month, an even Nunthorpe, while Junius decisively in near-record time. racing. come out of greater star emerged. landed the Middle Park Stakes. He had the potential to Danny Schwartz was a retirement just Alleged suffered the only In 1979 O’Brien trained two become a great champion, but member of the syndicate from days earlier defeat of his career when more European champions in his large, fragile frame could the start, and other members second to Dunfermline in the Thatching, who scored a not stand further training and from time to time included training three years before in St Leger, but then put up a brilliant victory in the July he retired unbeaten in four away from Ballydoyle, a trend Bob Fluor, Simon Fraser, Jean- a separate yard at Ballydoyle. that became more apparent majestic front-running Cup, and Monteverdi, who races. Pierre Binet and Stavros Never can a race have been when Pat Eddery decided in performance to win the Prix de took the Dewhurst Stakes; he That year the stable also Niarchos. more bitter-sweet for any 1986 to leave the stable and l’Arc de Triomphe. also saddled Godetia to win housed the three best Irish- From this time O’Brien trainer than the 1984 Derby accept a retainer from Prince the Irish 1,000 Guineas and trained juveniles, Danzatore, limited himself to training URING this annus for Vincent O’Brien. Khalid Abdullah. Oaks. Caerleon and Glenstal. about 40 horses, nearly all of mirabilis, when In retrospect, that defeat O’Brien, Sangster and The following season he had In 1983 Lomond was a late them colts with stallion O’Brien was again marked the end of the partners could not, in the long yet another Dewhurst-winning and successful substitute for potential, so that he could give champion trainer in domination of European racing run, hope to match the champion two-year-old in Danzatore in the 2,000 his unique brand of individual Britain, he had other by the O’Brien-Sangster spending power of the Arabs, D Storm Bird, though that colt, Guineas, subsequent champion attention to each of them. three-year-olds who would syndicate. Although El Gran though at Keeneland in July like Monteverdi, failed to fulfil sire Caerleon gave the trainer In the first year of the have been the stars of almost Senor won the Irish Derby on 1985 they paid $13.1 million his promise. That autumn the his only success in the Prix du O’Brien-Sangster partnership, any other stable, notably his only subsequent start, he for a son of Nijinsky. That long-standing partnership with Jockey-Club, Solford took the 1975, they went to Keeneland Artaius, who won the Eclipse was the last English Classic remains a world record price Lester Piggott ended and Pat Eclipse, Salmon Leap was the sales and bought several and Sussex Stakes. Eddery was appointed stable winner trained by O’Brien. for a yearling but the colt, yearlings with stallion The lesser lights included first colt to finish in the Arc de named Seattle Dancer, did jockey. Triomphe (though only fifth F EQUAL long-term pedigrees, notably The Lady Capulet, who won the In 1981 O’Brien’s star three- not justify his looks and Minstrel, a son of Northern Irish 1,000 Guineas on her overall) and El Gran Senor significance for the breeding, though he won a year-old was Kings Lake, who emulated his brother Try My trainer, though of a Dancer. racecourse debut; subsequent was first past the post in the couple of Group 2 events in In 1977, when the first of champion sire Be My Guest, Best by heading the Free positive kind, were Ireland. Irish 2,000 Guineas, only to be Handicap thanks to his defeat the victories the them were three-year-olds, the who landed the Goodwood disqualified in favour of O Other disappointments for of Rainbow Quest in the same year of Sadler’s Wells in scheme came to spectacular Mile; the wayward Marinsky, English challenger To-Agori- the stable included Gold Crest, Dewhurst Stakes. the Irish 2,000 Guineas, fruition, as they included not the most talented sprinter in Mou but then reinstated amid Woodman, Tate Gallery and El Gran Senor’s brilliant Eclipse and Phoenix Champion only the two best horses in Europe but disqualified in the great controversy. The colt also Caerwent, though they were 2,000 Guineas victory over Stakes. His class, toughness Europe, Alleged (who had July Cup; and Godswalk took the Sussex and Joe balanced by Bluebird (1987 Chief Singer, Lear Fan and and consistency served him been bought as a two-year-old) (King’s Stand Stakes), Valinsky McGrath Memorial Stakes. King’s Stand Stakes) and Rainbow Quest suggested he well at stud, where he became and The Minstrel, but also (Geoffrey Freer Stakes), He also had high-class O’Brien’s last two Classic was the best miler since the greatest sire of modern Marinsky and Godswalk, Transworld (Irish St Leger) juveniles Achieved (Phoenix winners, Prince Of Birds (Irish Brigadier Gerard, and he was times in Europe. backed up by the champion and Padroug (Ulster Champion and Champagne Stakes), 2,000 Guineas) and Dark made a hot favourite to follow The syndicate’s last top-class two-year-old Try My Best. Stakes). Peterhof (Flying Childers Lomond (Irish St Leger) in up in the Derby. performer was Law Society, The Minstrel had won the The stable also housed Stakes), Woodstream 1988. Dewhurst Stakes, but was only Meneval (Hardwicke Stakes) Two furlongs out at Epsom, who ran in the colours of Eddery was followed as placed in the 2,000 Guineas and champion juvenile Try My a record seventh victory for Stavros Niarchos. The son of stable jockey by Cash and the Irish equivalent and it Best (Dewhurst Stakes). O’Brien in the premier Classic Alleged, having lost the Asmussen (1987) and John seemed his chance of Classic Ballydoyle’s fortunes were ‘When looked inevitable as El Gran juvenile championship through Reid (1988-90), during which glory had vanished. Piggott, merely excellent in 1978, Senor was cantering in the a narrow defeat in the time the fortunes of Ballydoyle however, advised that the colt though that did not seem likely examining a lead with all his pursuers being Dewhurst, found only Slip became linked with those of should run in the Derby, in when Try My Best trailed in hard ridden, but one of them, Anchor too good in the 1985 Classic Thoroughbreds plc, which he rode one of his last of all in the 2,000 Guineas yearling at Secreto, battled on tenaciously. Derby and gained an ambitious bloodstock strongest finishes to prevail by and Alleged had to miss his El Gran Senor found nothing compensation in the Irish investment company. a neck from Hot Grove. summer engagements with when Eddery asked him a Derby. This public company, the The Minstrel followed up in a virus. Keeneland, question, and Secreto collared By the mid-1980s Arab brainchild of financier Dermot the Irish Derby and completed Alleged returned in the him close home to score by owners had been making Desmond, raised £10 million a notable treble in the King autumn by beating the O’Brien would a short head. lavish purchases at the sales in 1987 in order to invest in George VI and Queen Longchamp course record in Ironically, the winner was for several years, and now yearlings to go into training at Elizabeth Stakes by gamely the Prix du Prince d’Orange, go into a a son of Northern Dancer their investments began to Ballydoyle, and for four years holding off Orange Bay by and crowned his career with saddled by O’Brien’s own son, bear fruit. The balance of most of the horses in the yard a short head. He was another decisive victory in the trance’ David, who had started power in racing was shifting ran in its name. Racing Post Tuesday, June 2, 2009 11

O’BRIEN’S 23 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL WINS 1948 Cottage Rake Cheltenham Gold Cup Aubrey Brabazon 1949 Hatton’s Grace Champion Hurdle Aubrey Brabazon Castledermot National Hunt Chase Lord Mildmay *Cottage Rake Cheltenham Gold Cup Aubrey Brabazon 1950 Hatton’s Grace Champion Hurdle Aubrey Brabazon Cottage Rake Cheltenham Gold Cup Aubrey Brabazon 1951 Hatton’s Grace Champion Hurdle Tim Molony 1952 Cockatoo Gloucestershire Hurdle (Div 1) Mr Phonsie O’Brien Royal Tan National Hunt Handicap Chase Mr Phonsie O’Brien 1953 Knock Hard Cheltenham Gold Cup Tim Molony 1954 Stroller Gloucestershire Hurdle (Div 1) Pat Taaffe Quare Times National Hunt Chase Mr Bunny Cox Lucky Dome Spa Hurdle T P Burns 1955 Ahaburn Birdlip Selling Hurdle T P Burns Vindore Gloucestershire Hurdle (Div 1) Mr Phonsie O’Brien Illyric Gloucestershire Hurdle (Div 2) T P Burns 1956 Boys Hurrah Gloucestershire Hurdle (Div 1) T P Burns Pelargos Gloucestershire Hurdle (Div 2) T P Burns Stroller Spa Hurdle Harry Sprague 1957 Saffron Tartan Gloucestershire Hurdle (Div 2) T P Burns 1958 Admiral Stuart Gloucestershire Hurdle (Div 1) T P Burns Prudent King Gloucestershire Hurdle (Div 2) T P Burns 1959 York Fair Gloucestershire Hurdle (Div 1) T P Burns * run at the April meeting

O’BRIEN’S 44 CLASSIC WINS 1953 Chamier Irish Derby Bill Rickaby

1957 Ballymoss Irish Derby T P Burns Ballymoss St Leger T P Burns

1959 El Toro Irish 2,000 Guineas T P Burns Barclay Irish St Leger Garnie Bougoure

1962 Larkspur Derby Neville Sellwood

1964 Ancasta Irish Oaks Jack Purtell

1965 Long Look Oaks Jack Purtell Aurabella Irish Oaks Liam Ward O’BRIEN’S 12 BEST FLAT HORSES perhaps inherited too much of his father’s reserve and he 1966 Glad Rags 1,000 Guineas Paul Cook Rating Races won in best season gave up training in 1988, Valoris Irish 1,000 Guineas Jackie Power 1 140 Nijinsky (3yo, 1970) Gladness Stakes, 2,000 Guineas, Derby, Irish Derby, King George VI and QE Stakes, St Leger having found the pressures too much. Valoris Oaks Lester Piggott 2 138 Alleged (4yo, 1978) Royal Whip, Prix du Prince d’Orange, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe David’s brother, Charles, White Gloves Irish St Leger Liam Ward 3 136 Ballymoss (4yo, 1958) Coronation Cup, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and QE Stakes, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe served as assistant at 1968 Sir Ivor 2,000 Guineas Lester Piggott Ballydoyle for several years Sir Ivor Derby Lester Piggott 4 136 El Gran Senor (3yo, 1984) Gladness Stakes, 2,000 Guineas, Irish Derby before branching out on his 5 135 Sir Ivor (3yo, 1968) Ascot 2,000 Guineas Trial, 2,000 Guineas, Derby, Champion Stakes, Washington DC Int own in 1993. 1969 Gaia Irish Oaks Liam Ward Vincent and Jacqueline also Reindeer Irish St Leger Liam Ward 6 135 Roberto (3yo, 1972) Vauxhall Trial, Derby, Benson & Hedges Gold Cup had three daughters – Liz, who 1970 Nijinsky 2,000 Guineas Lester Piggott 7 134 The Minstrel (3yo, 1977) Ascot 2,000 Guineas Trial, Derby, Irish Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes married film producer Kevin McClory; Sue, the wife of Nijinsky Derby Lester Piggott 8 134 Thatch (3yo, 1973) Vauxhall Trial, St James’s Palace Stakes, July Cup, Sussex Stakes John Magnier; and Jane, Nijinsky Irish Derby Liam Ward 9 132 Golden Fleece (3yo, 1982) Ballymoss Stakes, Nijinsky Stakes, Derby whose husband Philip Nijinsky St Leger Lester Piggott Myerscough owns 10 132 Gladness (5yo mare, 1958) Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, Ebor Handicap Ballysheehan Stud. 1972 Roberto Derby Lester Piggott 11 131 Kings Lake (3yo, 1981) Irish 2,000 Guineas, Sussex Stakes, Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes He remained involved in the Boucher St Leger Lester Piggott sport as an owner with his 12 131 Sadler’s Wells (3yo, 1984) Irish Derby Trial, Irish 2,000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes, Phoenix Champion Stakes 1975 Caucasus Irish St Leger Lester Piggott younger son, and by accepting from A Century Of Champions (1999) by John Randall and Tony Morris the many honours that were 1976 Meneval Irish St Leger Lester Piggott showered upon him. Perhaps 1977 Lady Capulet Irish 1,000 Guineas Tommy Murphy the most significant of these O’Brien, Sangster and when favourite for the Hopes of a more lasting was when he was voted the The Minstrel Derby Lester Piggott Magnier became major Dewhurst, but as a revival in Ballydoyle’s fortunes greatest figure in racing history The Minstrel Irish Derby Lester Piggott shareholders in the company, three-year-old in 1990 he won were raised by Capricciosa, in a poll of Racing Post readers Transworld Irish St Leger Tommy Murphy so that to some extent it was the July Cup and was second who won the Moyglare Stud in 2003. 1978 Jaazeiro Irish 2,000 Guineas Lester Piggott the old syndicate in a new to Dayjur in the Haydock and Cheveley Park Stakes in Vincent O’Brien was an guise, but in the end they Sprint Cup. 1990, and National Stakes undemonstrative, softly spoken 1979 Godetia Irish 1,000 Guineas Lester Piggott found it impossible to winners El Prado (1991) and man whose genius was Godetia Irish Oaks Lester Piggott succeed without the market E WAS then sent to Fatherland (1992), but perhaps best demonstrated by dominance which they had Belmont Park for O’Brien, now in his mid-70s, his single-minded attention to 1980 Gonzales Irish St Leger Ray Carroll the Breeders’ Cup enjoyed before the arrival of was cutting back his string detail. 1981 Kings Lake Irish 2,000 Guineas Pat Eddery the Arabs. Mile and Lester and he retired at the end of When examining a yearling A succession of promising H Piggott got him 1994. at Keeneland he would go into 1982 Golden Fleece Derby Pat Eddery two-year-olds ran for Classic home by a neck in a driving Among his breeding interests a trance, visualising the colt 1983 Lomond 2,000 Guineas Pat Eddery finish. It was a particularly Thoroughbreds including he owned Lyonstown Stud, the two years’ hence at Epsom, Caerleon Prix du Jockey-Club Pat Eddery Classic Fame (National Stakes) popular victory for the old registered breeder of Dr and his record at spotting and Saratogan (third in the trainer-jockey partnership, Devious, so when that colt future champions was 1984 El Gran Senor 2,000 Guineas Pat Eddery Dewhurst) in 1988, but apart as Piggott had just made his won the Derby in 1992 O’Brien unrivalled. Sadler’s Wells Irish 2,000 Guineas George McGrath from Royal Academy they comeback with O’Brien’s did finally win the race for the No-one else has been both El Gran Senor Irish Derby Pat Eddery failed to justify the hopes encouragement. seventh time. the greatest jump trainer and placed in them and shares in However, Royal Academy’s O’Brien’s elder son David, the greatest Flat trainer of his 1985 Law Society Irish Derby Pat Eddery the company slumped. success could not revive besides producing Secreto to time, and the length and Leading Counsel Irish St Leger Pat Eddery Royal Academy, a son of Classic Thoroughbreds and the upset El Gran Senor in the variety of his achievements 1988 Prince Of Birds Irish 2,000 Guineas Declan Gillespie Nijinsky who cost $3.5 million company was wound up in Derby, also trained Assert, Pas testified to his status as the as a yearling, disappointed 1992. de Seul and Triptych, but he master horseman of his age. Dark Lomond Irish St Leger Declan Gillespie 12 Tuesday, June 2, 2009 racingpost.com VINCENT O’BRIEN 1917-2009 YOUR GREATS OF THE TURF In February 2003, Racing Post readers voted Vincent O’Brien their all-time No.1 racing great. Two years later, five of his horses figured in our poll of readers’ all-time favourite horses. The extracts here recall the achievements of his most popular charges

OBODY needs to apologise for naming Nijinsky as his or her all-time Nijinsky N favourite. Those Position in poll: 10th who saw him run may feel that no justification of, or Northern Dancer- explanation for, their choice is Flaming Page necessary. Major successes The trouble is, Nijinsky is history. Many of today’s 1969 racegoers did not see him on Dewhurst the racecourse, perhaps have 1970 never even seen him on video, 2,000 Guineas, Derby certainly cannot begin to (pictured), Irish Derby, imagine what he meant to King George VI and Queen those of us who were Elizabeth Stakes, St Leger privileged to follow his career and witness his unparalleled achievements at first hand. What can younger This was a two-year-old whose parents had both been the race was as Here was a scenario that could generations, who acquire their like I had never seen before. ten-furlong horses, and who ‘At Doncaster, straightforward as ever. Nearly never have been imagined, belief system about racing All these years later, I can add could be certain he would last at halfway, and only eighth with one Derby winner merit from form analysts, ‘or since’. stay? Gyr, a big son of on that at the home turn, he made emerging from a pocket, understand and appreciate The race, of course, was a Sea-Bird, had already won the rapid progress from the two- delivering a stout challenge about a horse whose rating formality. Nijinsky treated his Prix Hocquart at the distance, magical furlong marker, led at the under strong driving, and proclaims him inferior to opposition with disdain, and came from France with a furlong, and readily drew clear gradually wearing the leaders Brigadier Gerard, Mill Reef, sauntering home in a style that huge reputation. His price September to win by three lengths. down, while the other Derby Shergar, Dancing Brave, Dubai allowed no doubts as to his contracted as Nijinsky (who We learned more about winner, coming from further Millennium and others who championship status. He had colicked overnight) day, Nijinsky Nijinsky’s merit at Ascot, back and never off the bridle, came after him? Blind clearly ranked head and became easier to back. where only older horses simply loped along in his acceptance of those shoulders above the rest of his Gyr made it a race, striking proved himself opposed him in the King cruising gear, picking them all judgements means he can find generation. for home and going clear over George. The home-based off at will. a place in their pantheon only At home in Ireland, Nijinsky two furlongs out, but he was contenders were Caliban, fresh Make no mistake. Blakeney as one of the lesser gods. extended his unbeaten clearly outgunned once the son the complete from his victory over Park Top ran the race of his life that day, We who knew him and sequence to six before he of Northern Dancer had been in the Coronation Cup, pulling four lengths clear of experienced him in the context returned to Newmarket for the shaken up and shown the racehorse’ Karabas, hero of the the others over the final of his time can but respond 2,000 Guineas. Although he whip. As in the Guineas, Washington International, and furlong. But Nijinsky with a wry smile and treasure had 13 rivals this time, Nijinsky had more than two Blakeney, the pevious year’s humiliated him, and did so the memories. including proper racehorses, lengths to spare at the finish. Derby winner. From the seemingly without effort. For me it was love at first capable of top form in Just how good was this continent came Crepellana, With his unbeaten sequence sight, in the paddock before international company, he horse? We were not going to heroine of the Prix de Diane now in double figures, Nijinsky the Dewhurst. It was not just started at 4-7. And he brushed find out at The Curragh, where and Vermeille, and Italian was scheduled for a long rest, that he dominated his modest them aside, stringing them out the best of the opposition Derby victor Hogarth. A group while Vincent O’Brien rivals in appearance; he was a like so many selling platers. seemed to be colts he had of such proven international pondered over a suitable prep commanding figure, all power Nijinsky was odds-against beaten at Epsom. Unusually, he stars was entitled to test the race for the Arc. Some rest. and majesty, who would have for the first and only time in sweated up at the start, young pretender’s mettle. The colt contracted a nasty taken the eye in any company. his career on Derby day. His causing a few misgivings, but Test him? He routed them. bout of ringworm, spent weeks Racing Post Tuesday, June 2, 2009 13 OF THE TURF

Sir Ivor Position: 61st Sir Gaylord-Attica Major successes 1968 2,000 Guineas, Derby (pictured above, left), Position: 82nd Champion Stakes, Washington DC International The Minstrel This tough dual champion won the Arc, in which Vaguely Northern Dancer-Fleur in four different countries and Noble beat him on merit by Major successes 1976 Dewhurst 1977 Derby, Irish Derby, put up a stunning performance three lengths. But his owner King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in the Derby. Held up, he had the singularly American produced a dramatic burst of idea that the function of a One of the best in a golden courage to come back for more speed to cut down Connaught racehorse is to race, and his era. A deeply ingrained racing after some incredibly hard inside the final furlong and attacking policy paid off when prejudice says you shouldn’t races, including a kitchen-sink secure his second Classic Sir Ivor ended his career in a trust chestnuts – and, job from Lester Piggott in an victory in a few strides. The blaze of glory with a victory in according to old sages, there unforgettable Derby duel that memory of that triumph the Washington DC was another no-no with The saw him just prevail from Hot Minstrel in that he had four Grove. After winning the Irish remains compromised by the International that saw white socks. How wrong they Derby, he beat Orange Bay (by fact that, after Epsom, he lost transatlantic competition come were. Not only did he possess a short-head) in a King George his next four races, including of age. JR abundant talent, what set him battle that nearly rivalled apart was his remarkable Grundy v Bustino. GE

undergoing treatment, and it the autumn. Moreover, this soon became clear that it was a colt who had been would be a rush job, preparing precocious enough to him for whatever would be his dominate at two. next engagement. At Doncaster, on that The announcement that the magical September day, St Leger would be the target Nijinsky proved himself the came as a surprise to many. complete racehorse – the best El Gran Senor Position: 62nd The trials were over, and there of 693 who had entered for the Northern Dancer-Sex Appeal had been lively ante-post Guineas, of 667 nominated to activity on the assumption of the Derby, of 533 entries for Major successes 1983 Dewhurst Stakes 1984 2,000 Guineas Position: 94th an open Classic staged in the the St Leger. And over all three (pictured above), Irish Derby Hatton’s Grace absence of the season’s star distances his authority was He ran only once at a mile, so was no one-race wonder, as His Grace-Hatton three-year-old. Suddenly, it overwhelming. he might seem an unlikely he proved a champion in Of course, that was not the Major successes 1949 Champion Hurdle, Irish Lincolnshire, was going to be a different contender for the title ‘best both his seasons and was a Irish Cesarewitch 1950 Champion Hurdle, Irish Cesarewitch, race, potentially a historic one, end, but perhaps it should miler since Brigadier Gerard’, short-head away from retiring with the first Triple Crown in have been. However, defeats in but his majestic 2,000 Guineas unbeaten. He snatched defeat 1951 Champion Hurdle (pictured above, left) 35 years on the cards. the Arc and Champion Stakes victory was of such superior from the jaws of victory when An ugly ducking who became small and unimposing, but his We had become used to the could not obliterate the mighty quality that his claims are hard touched off by Secreto in a one of the immortals of the appearance enhanced his idea that Triple Crowns achievements that had gone to deny. In a vintage Classic, controversial finish to the Turf, Hatton’s Grace was the popularity and his Flat-race belonged in the past. We were before. the colt showed a spectacular Derby – people still debate first horse to win the speed was devastating up the in an age of specialisation; it Favourite for every race he turn of foot to beat Chief whether rider error or Champion Hurdle three times, Cheltenham hill. The first 11- was no longer reasonable to contested, Nijinsky will always Singer by two and a half shortage of stamina was to and helped to start the O’Brien year-old to win the Champion expect that one colt could remain a favourite. Pigs will fly lengths, with Lear Fan and blame – but made partial legend. This remarkable dual- Hurdle, he might have won it dominate his generation at before we see another Rainbow Quest among those amends on his farewell at the purpose performer won top- even more often had he been three over a mile in the spring, champion two-year-old go on spreadeagled far behind. He Curragh. JR class Irish handicaps on the trained by O’Brien throughout over 12 furlongs in the to Triple Crown glory. Flat whilst proving himself a his career instead of only from summer, and 14 furlongs in Tony Morris Pen portraits by John Randall and the late George Ennor champion over jumps. He was the age of eight. JR p p q

14 Tuesday, June 2, 2009 racingpost.com VINCENT O’BRIEN 1917-2009 ‘He planned everything. Everything went like clockwork and he made a difficult job look easy’

However, getting my foot in the expected. That day changed my life, of us would struggle with a problem, oats, gowla, honey, eggs and door at Ballydoyle was difficult. On and there was nowhere in the world I to them it was so easy to solve. Later, Guinness. three separate occasions I wrote to would rather have been. Johnny would come over to the US It was always a pleasure to do jobs Mr O’Brien for a job. I did not want The English press like to say that and for four summers his experience for Jacqueline O’Brien, a terrific lady paying and I was prepared to do any Vincent O’Brien was a good trainer helped me to design my Tapeta with drive who played a major job just to experience working for a because of ‘attention to detail’. While surface. supporting role for her husband. She man who I believed at the time was that is not untrue, they miss the real ‘MV’ planned everything. He was would tell me how Vincent was a the best trainer in the world. point. Vincent O’Brien was a brilliant well known for peaking the good good listener and would be open to But each time I wrote I received a trainer because he was so good at the horses for the big races, but he was any thoughts or ideas other people polite letter saying they had no fundamentals, picking the right horse, also brilliant at peaking some not very had. A perfect illustration of this was vacancies, which was no surprise – good horses, making them look good safe surfaces and brilliant horsemen in 1990, when his jockey John Reid why would they need a second-rate for a race or two, and selling them on Master trainer Michael working for him. ‘MV’ had an was hurt, and Mike Dillon, the public jump jockey from Yorkshire? incredible eye for a horse, gifted by at a substantial price after they looked face of Ladbrokes and advisor to Dickinson looks back on the When I was working for Kevin nature and fine-tuned by hard work, far better than they were. All the many of the industry’s leaders, Prendergast one summer, I noticed self-criticism and much study. horses were very easy to ride and “happiest time of my life” – suggested Lester Piggott should take his two summers working for that every time I went racing at the Selecting the right yearling is the were extremely well broken and Curragh, ‘MV’ would have two most important part of a successful relaxed. Everything went like the ride on Royal Academy in the Vincent O’Brien at Ballydoyle runners. Both would win in such an trainer. clockwork and he made the difficult Breeders’ Cup Mile. As history relates, effortless, stylish, almost graceful Secondly, Vincent created job of training look easy. this suggestion was taken on board manner, and I was mesmerised even Ballydoyle from nothing but four I was always impressed that by the with great success. HE two summers I spent at more about the Ballydoyle machine. small farms joined together, forming a time I arrived in early June, he had LL the five children helped Ballydoyle were the two As a result, the following year, as the sorted out all the best two-year-olds perfect environment in which to train make my stay memorable happiest times of my life. In jumps season was drawing to a close, and had them placed in order. This a horse. This included beautiful grass and enjoyable. We had a my opinion Vincent O’Brien I made a final bid to work at was in order on paper and in the gallops, the best all-weather gallops of filly in the yard called is the best trainer in the Ballydoyle. their time, and a perfect setting. I stable yard, starting with the most T Lady Elizabeth, so I used world for the last 100 years. I took a train from Yorkshire to credit ‘MV’ for inventing the modern promising horses in the lower A to address their eldest daughter, who I know this is a big statement – Epsom the day ‘MV’ ran Roberto in all-weather gallop. numbered stables. was called Elizabeth, as Lady training 40 champions is obviously a the Coronation Cup, with the view to Before then, apart from grass He was also highly organised and high achievement, but there are two talking to him. As I started to walk up gallops, most trainers only used some very tidy. I remember scoring brownie Elizabeth. I called Jane ‘Lady Jane’ facts that make him stand out. First, to him I ran out of courage and went poor sand tracks, an occasional cinder points when I came up with the idea after the Rolling Stones song, and Sue he was the only very successful into reverse gear, so that long journey track and a plough/tan. ‘MV’ designed of cleaning out the second tack room, ‘Lady Susan’. When I sent the family a trainer who did not rely on numbers. to Epsom was wasted. However, later the first shavings all-weather gallop, which was in a mess, and then doing Christmas card addressed to Lady World-class trainers in Europe, the US I noticed Ron McGee from the Press which was then copied hundreds of the job myself. Occasionally, he would Elizabeth, Lady Susan and Lady Jane, and Australia have all had 300 horses Association talking to him. I knew times over in England and Ireland. drive himself to the airport in his they sent me one back signed The at one time, while ‘MV’ had only 44 Ron well and later asked him what it ‘MV’ laid all the gallops himself, not a Jaguar and I would sit in the Royal Family, which I have kept to this horses the two summers I was in was like talking to the great Vincent sod was turned without his passenger seat with my notepad. As day. Tipperary. Rarely did he have more O’Brien. Ron replied: “Easy – win or supervision, and he loved walking the he thought of all the jobs the staff at With regard to his sons, Charles was than 60, starting out with only 25 lose he is always very approachable.” gallops in the evenings. He was the home could do I would jot them very young at the time and would yearlings each year. With this intervention came new one who ignited my passion for down, whether it would be giving a play a lot of football on the lawn. He The other important fact to confidence, so as he was leaving the surfaces. horse longer canters or trimming a could do a great impersonation of strengthen my claim is that during the racecourse I followed the great man hedge next to the all-weather to an Franz Beckenbauer, the ace German LTHOUGH many of the 28 years that my friend Johnny out to the car park and asked him for exact height. midfield supremo. David was always staff at Ballydoyle would Brabston worked for him, he can only a job. I believe the fact that I had My parents and I were graduates of very polite and at that time did not remember two fatalities – that is one worked for Frenchie Nicholson, whom have made excellent the hunting field and point-to- know if he wanted to follow in his every 14 years. he knew very well, and that I was a trainers themselves, pointers, and although my parents father’s footsteps. How appropriate it During my time there I rode 24 fully qualified member of the Institute combining their natural were excellent horsemen (at that A was that David turned out to be such different horses, and with the of Advanced Motorists got me my horsemanship with devotion to ‘the stage we had had a few winners exception of Cavo Doro, who paid the dream job. Boss’ made them an unbeatable team. under National Hunt rules), none of a brilliant trainer, winning three price of running down the hill at With my car on the first ferry, I Of course, the little things add up, but us had much idea how to train a Derbys in two years. Epsom on very firm ground when arrived at Ballydoyle. If I had seen the without the fundamentals they mean horse properly. On my first day at Ballydoyle, I runner-up in the 1973 Derby, all the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids and nothing. Johnny Brabston, who Watching ‘MV’ was the ultimate noticed a book on the coffee table others I rode were sound free movers. Niagara Falls all on the same day, it worked for ‘MV’ for 28 years, 20 as a university in contrast with previously called Training Thoroughbred Horses These included two champion could not have had more effect on head groom, worshipped ‘MV’. asking myself ten times a day ‘do I by Preston Burch. I was so impressed sprinters, Saritamer and Abergwaun, me. When I made my first tour of Johnny would explain training to me know what I am doing?’, and that someone who had won the Derby St Leger winner Boucher and Ballydoyle on a quiet, sunny, June in such a delightfully simple, wondering how real trainers trained. three times (at that time) would still Apalachee, and I can’t ever remember Sunday morning, as a horseman I was uncomplicated way – that is the way When we trained at Harewood we be trying to learn, but that was ‘The seeing a lame horse. in heaven. This was even more than I he and ‘MV’ operated. While the rest copied his feeding methods exactly – Boss’. D p p q

Racing Post Tuesday, June 2, 2009 15

EDWARD WHITAKER/RACINGPOSTPIX.COM

Sadler’s Wells leads his sons Galileo, Montjeu and High Chaparral at Coolmore Stud Eternal legacy of a master

Gladness, as the public was just when O’Brien, in partnership with nothing like that Triple Crown hero in then-record European price of getting used to the idea that Vincent Robert Sangster and John Magnier, appearance and that counted against 127,000gns) became Coolmore’s first could train Flat horses too, he had raided North America’s principal sales him in the market. champion sire. That was also the year immersed himself in breeding records with a view to obtaining potential O’Brien’s belief in the little chestnut when Nijinsky’s son Caerleon and was familiar with American top-class runners with further colt was vindicated. This was The (acquired for 800,000gns at pedigrees. As a rare European potential as top-class stallions. Minstrel, whose brilliant performances Keeneland) won the Prix du Jockey- presence at Keeneland, he was not out Conformation, of course, was in the summer of 1977 had enormous Club for Ballydoyle, which also of place – and his trips there gained important, and few judges have consequences. His sale back to housed an unbeaten juvenile, destined him American patronage, and shared Vincent’s precious gift of being Windfields Farm, at a valuation of $18 for further distinction, in Robert American-bred horses, long before his able to examine a yearling and million, helped to finance deals that Sangster’s home-bred Northern Tony Morris assesses competitors at home detected the visualise its appearance in a year or followed, focused attention firmly on Dancer colt, Sadler’s Wells. Between wind of change that would two’s time, but pedigree was Northern Dancer as the source of what them, Caerleon and Sadler’s Wells O’Brien’s enormous influence revolutionise bloodstock breeding. paramount. That was the determining was best in breeding, and that in turn would credit Coolmore with 16 on the development The victory of Long Look, home- factor for inclusion on his ‘A List’. was instrumental in setting the domestic sires’ championships in the of the thoroughbred bred by Jimmy Cox Brady, in the 1965 Year after year the team targeted partners’ recently established 17 years to 2004. In 2008 Sadler’s Oaks was the first of numerous high- sales in America to obtain a portfolio Coolmore Stud on course to become Wells’s son Galileo took the title. profile successes achieved with of well bred yearlings, and although a the colossus it now is. But the Anglo-Irish success barely HEN, in the spring of American products, both off the farm number inevitably failed to come up The original plan, to develop well begins to tell the story. Proof that 2003, readers of the and, increasingly, from yearling to scratch, there were always bred colts into champions and to sell O’Brien’s impact has been a global Racing Post named markets, an area where most successful acquisitions which more them back into the American market phenomenon came with the Vincent O’Brien as the Europeans had always feared to tread. than covered the losses and ultimately for stallion duty, had run its course by publication of a list of all-time leading W greatest of racing’s By the time that Sir Ivor, purchased at produced substantial profit. A prime the early 1980s. The Ballydoyle winner sires of Pattern and Graded winners ‘greats,’ it was inevitably his Keeneland, had advertised the fact example of that phenomenon came in factory was now the chief supplier of worldwide. No fewer than nine of the unprecedented feats as a trainer that North American commercial 1975, a defining year for the group. stallions to Coolmore, whose rapid top 35 – Sadler’s Wells, Nijinsky, under both codes which earned him studs could also produce top-class A brother to Apalachee, growth soon resulted in the Southern Halo, Caerleon, Alleged, Sir the accolade. The public was bound European runners, O’Brien had snared subsequently named Brahms, proved a establishment of powerful offshoots in Ivor, Roberto, Royal Academy and to be influenced most by what it had Nijinsky for $84,000 at auction in dear purchase at $500,000, but in the Kentucky and New South Wales. The Bluebird – were trained at Ballydoyle seen in the ‘shop window’ – the hat- Canada, and thereafter his rivals were same Keeneland auction the partners practice of shuttling, enabling horses in Vincent O’Brien’s time there and trick of Grand Nationals, his all playing catch-up. gave only $200,000 for a colt with a to cover in both the northern and have spread their influence over all dominance of Cheltenham, and his Of course, none ever did catch up, top-notch pedigree, crabbed by many southern hemispheres in the same five continents. subsequent fabulous record in the and though the next Derby hero, for his want of size calendar year, enhanced Coolmore’s Sons and grandsons of O’Brien- world’s top Flat races. Roberto, was a Darby Dan Farm and even his influence to an enormous degree. trained celebrities also featured in But there was much more to home-bred, it was O’Brien’s superior colour and In 1983 The Minstrel’s that table, including Sir Tristram (by O’Brien than his conspicuous supreme knowledge of pedigree and markings. Yes, contemporary, Be My Guest (also by Sir Ivor), Storm Cat (by Storm Bird), mastery of the art of preparing a recognition of latent talent in he was a Northern Green Dancer (by Nijinsky) and Sir thoroughbred for racing. No less commercial yearlings that kept him three-parts Dancer, and Tristram’s son, Zabeel. In addition, remarkable was his knowledge and ahead of the competition in the years brother to bought by Ballydoyle-trained El Prado, a son of appreciation of pedigree, which was that followed. Everyone knew the Nijinsky, O’Brien as Sadler’s Wells bred at Vincent’s own not only a key factor contributing to names in pedigrees of stock offered at but he a Goff’s Lyonstown Stud, was North America’s his success as a trainer, but may also Keeneland and Saratoga, but few was yearling for a champion sire in 2003, and America’s now be seen as a major and enduring were so aware of family traits and current champion filly, Rachel influence on racing and breeding characteristics and could identify Alexandra, is by El Prado’s son worldwide. In the annals of the sport- which were the true ‘A-List’ Medaglia D’Oro. cum-industry, only the Italian individuals. All the evidence indicates that the Federico Tesio, creator of Nearco and That expertise was crucial in the era greatest of racing’s greats in the 20th Ribot, has had a comparable impact century has been just as surely the in both spheres. O’Brien with his son-in-law and most important human contributor to Even in the era of Ballymoss and business partner John Magnier the thoroughbred of the 21st. p p q

16 Tuesday, June 2, 2009 racingpost.com A GREAT TRAINER A GREAT MAN Clockwise from top-left: Vincent O’Brien holds court in the press scrum; with Nijinsky in 1970; the family man with wife Jacqueline and children Elizabeth (4), Susan (3) and baby David at Ballydoyle in 1957; after winning the Derby with Roberto in 1972