The Wizard of Ballydoyle
June 23rd 2008 09:29
Aidan O’Brien, as expected, dominated the five days of the Royal Ascot meeting, training six winners, including four at Group One.
(photo: empics)
There have been times when he does give the appearance of Harry Potter, boy-wizard. His success would almost suggest that some magic is involved as he frequently adds to his ever expanding list of classic and feature races. He moves to the side of agitated thoroughbreds with sure movement (confidence) and with a soft voice speaks (lays an incantation) and quells their fears.
A successful life can often be the result of sheer hard work, ability and diligence. But these factors are present in many lives that, although rewarding, may not come to notice or create a fame or fortune. Natalie Portman was discovered at a pizza parlour after dance class and offered a part in a movie. Perhaps years of study may have resulted in the same career (a similar fame); but we are left to wonder.
Aidan O’Brien himself attributes good fortune, or serendipity, as a part or influence in his success. His staggering work ethic and innate ability to understand horses are already things of fable. But this alone he believes is not enough. Always in racing there is some luck involved - no matter how good you are or how well prepared and diligent - there is always an ounce of luck involved.Or is it fate?
Aidan O’Brien has been quoted as saying that he believes himself lucky all of his life.
Aidan O’Brien is the son of a small-scale horse trainer, Denis O’Brien. Most of the horses his father trained were third tier, point-to-point horses. Horses were an obsession for Aidan as long as he can remember. He was granted an amateur jockey license when he was 16 (1985) and was Ireland’s Champion Amateur Jockey in 1993-94. This was also the same season when he trained his first winner, on his first day as a licensed trainer.
He began work (briefly) for P.J. Finn’s stables, in addition to sweeping floors and driving forklifts, before joining the stables of champion trainer, Jim Bolger. Bolger was a major influence on the life and career of Aidan O’Brien, spending three years there as his assistant. At the same time Aidan had met Anne-Marie Crowley, the daughter of successful trainer Joe Crowley. Anne-Marie, as well as being an accomplished rider herself, was also a model. Aidan can still not work out what Anne-Marie saw in him: perhaps it is a shared passion for horses?
Anne-Marie took over the training license from her father in 1991 and she became the first female champion trainer when winning the jumps title in 1993-94. Aidan had been her assistant until she handed over her license to him. At first he dominated the jumps racing in Ireland, but soon he moved his focus to flat racing. Before Aidan O’Brien had reached 25, champion trainer Vincent O’Brien (no relative) had retired. The famous Ballydoyle yard was now looking for a new trainer. Enter a new O’Brien.
Is everything in life the result of a ‘sliding door’? For us? For O’Brien? If one part of the chain is broken, could the path still lead to this phenomenal success? If Anne-Marie had found Aidan unattractive, what then? Would Coolmore never have noticed the younger O'Brien?
Perhaps Aidan has been lucky. The difference in racing between gaining a split at a vital time, or being trapped three wide. Circumstances. But luck is only opportunity and nothing (lasting) without talent. The split is useless if the horse one-paced and lacking ability to sprint. And sometimes the horse trapped wide keeps coming and uses disadvantage to find clear galloping room and momentum.
Aidan O'Brien is very talented. And very modest.
A list of Aidan O’Brien’s training successes. Don’t bother to memorise. It is still growing.
England:
Derby (2):
Galileo, High Chaparral
2000 Guineas (5):
King of Kings, Rock of Gibraltar, Footstepsinthesand, George Washington, Henrythenavigator.
1000 Guineas:
Virginia Waters.
Oaks (3):
Shahtoush, Imagine, Alexandrova.
St Leger (3):
Milan, Brian Boru, Scorpion
July Cup (2):
Stravinsky, Mozart
King George V1, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (2):
Galileo, Dylan Thomas
St James’s Palace Stakes (5):
Black Minnaloushe, Giant’s Causeway, Rock of Gibraltar, Excellent Art, Henrythenavigator.
Racing Post Trophy (4):
Saratoga Springs, Brian Boru, High Chaparral, Aristotle
Dewhurst Stakes:
Rock of Gibraltar
Sussex Stakes (2):
Rock of Gibraltar, Giant’s Causeway.
Eclipse Stakes (3):
Hawk Wing, Giant’s Causeway, Oratorio.
Juddmonte International:
Giant’s Causeway.
Middle Park Stakes (3):
Johannesburg, Minardi, Ad Valorem.
Nunthorpe Stakes (2):
Stravinsky, Mozart
Lockinge Stakes (1):
Hawk Wing
Coronation Stakes (1) :
Sophisticat
Coronation Cup (3):
Yeats, Scorpion, Soldier Of Fortune.
Ascot Gold Cup (3):
Yeats x 3
Nassau Stakes (1):
Peeping Fawn
Yorkshire Oaks (2):
Alexandrova, Peeping Fawn
Fillies' Mile (2):
Sunspangled, Listen.
Ireland:
Derby (5):
Desert King, Galileo, High Chaparral, Dylan Thomas, Soldier Of Fortune
2000 Guineas (5):
Black Minnaloushe, Desert King, Saffron Walden, Rock of Gibraltar, Henrythenavigator.
1000 Guineas (4):
Imagine, Classic Park, Yesterday, Halfway To Heaven.
Champion Stakes (5):
Giant’s Causeway, High Chaparral, Oratorio, Dylan Thomas (x 2).
Phoenix Stakes (8):
Johannesburg, One Cool Cat, Fasliyev, Spartacus, Minardi, Lavery, George Washington, Holy Roman Emperor.
National Stakes (6):
Desert King, Beckett, King of Kings, One Cool Cat, Hawk Wing, George Washington.
Tattersalls Gold Cup (3):
Black Sam Bellamy, Powerscourt, Duke Of Marmalade.
Moyglare Stakes (4):
Quarter Moon, Necklace, Sequoyah, Rumplestiltskin.
Oaks (2):
Alexandrova, Peeping Fawn.
Pretty Polly Stakes (1):
Peeping Fawn.
St Leger (1):
Yeats.
France:
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (1):
Dylan Thomas.
French 2000 Guineas (3):
Landseer, Aussie Rules, Astronomer Royal.
French 1000 Guineas:
Rose Gypsy
Prix Lupin:
Ciro
Prix de la Salamandre:
Giant’s Causeway
Prix Morny (3):
Johannesburg, Fasliyev, Orpen
Prix Maurice de Gheest:
King Charlemagne
Prix du Moulin:
Rock of Gibraltar
Grand Criterium (6):
Hold That Tiger, Rock of Gibraltar, Second Empire, Ciro, Horatio Nelson, Holy Roman Emperor.
Grand Prix de Paris:
Scorpion
Prix Marcel Boussac:
Rumplestiltskin
Criterium de Saint Cloud (2):
Ballingarry, Alberto Giacometti
Prix Ganay:
Dylan Thomas, Duke Of Marmalade.
Italy:
Gran Criterium (2):
Spartacus, Sholokhov
Gran Premio del Jockey Club:
Black Sam Bellamy
North America:
Breeders' Cup Turf (2):
High Chaparral x 2
Breeders' Cup Juvenile:
Johannesburg
Keeneland Turf Mile:
Landseer, Aussie Rules
Secretariat Stakes:
Ciro
Canadian International:
Ballingarry
Arlington Million:
Powerscourt
Aidan O'Brien and Henrythenavigator
(photo: empics)
There have been times when he does give the appearance of Harry Potter, boy-wizard. His success would almost suggest that some magic is involved as he frequently adds to his ever expanding list of classic and feature races. He moves to the side of agitated thoroughbreds with sure movement (confidence) and with a soft voice speaks (lays an incantation) and quells their fears.
A successful life can often be the result of sheer hard work, ability and diligence. But these factors are present in many lives that, although rewarding, may not come to notice or create a fame or fortune. Natalie Portman was discovered at a pizza parlour after dance class and offered a part in a movie. Perhaps years of study may have resulted in the same career (a similar fame); but we are left to wonder.
Aidan O’Brien himself attributes good fortune, or serendipity, as a part or influence in his success. His staggering work ethic and innate ability to understand horses are already things of fable. But this alone he believes is not enough. Always in racing there is some luck involved - no matter how good you are or how well prepared and diligent - there is always an ounce of luck involved.Or is it fate?
Aidan O’Brien has been quoted as saying that he believes himself lucky all of his life.
Aidan O’Brien is the son of a small-scale horse trainer, Denis O’Brien. Most of the horses his father trained were third tier, point-to-point horses. Horses were an obsession for Aidan as long as he can remember. He was granted an amateur jockey license when he was 16 (1985) and was Ireland’s Champion Amateur Jockey in 1993-94. This was also the same season when he trained his first winner, on his first day as a licensed trainer.
He began work (briefly) for P.J. Finn’s stables, in addition to sweeping floors and driving forklifts, before joining the stables of champion trainer, Jim Bolger. Bolger was a major influence on the life and career of Aidan O’Brien, spending three years there as his assistant. At the same time Aidan had met Anne-Marie Crowley, the daughter of successful trainer Joe Crowley. Anne-Marie, as well as being an accomplished rider herself, was also a model. Aidan can still not work out what Anne-Marie saw in him: perhaps it is a shared passion for horses?
Anne-Marie took over the training license from her father in 1991 and she became the first female champion trainer when winning the jumps title in 1993-94. Aidan had been her assistant until she handed over her license to him. At first he dominated the jumps racing in Ireland, but soon he moved his focus to flat racing. Before Aidan O’Brien had reached 25, champion trainer Vincent O’Brien (no relative) had retired. The famous Ballydoyle yard was now looking for a new trainer. Enter a new O’Brien.
Is everything in life the result of a ‘sliding door’? For us? For O’Brien? If one part of the chain is broken, could the path still lead to this phenomenal success? If Anne-Marie had found Aidan unattractive, what then? Would Coolmore never have noticed the younger O'Brien?
Perhaps Aidan has been lucky. The difference in racing between gaining a split at a vital time, or being trapped three wide. Circumstances. But luck is only opportunity and nothing (lasting) without talent. The split is useless if the horse one-paced and lacking ability to sprint. And sometimes the horse trapped wide keeps coming and uses disadvantage to find clear galloping room and momentum.
Aidan O'Brien is very talented. And very modest.
A list of Aidan O’Brien’s training successes. Don’t bother to memorise. It is still growing.
England:
Derby (2):
Galileo, High Chaparral
2000 Guineas (5):
King of Kings, Rock of Gibraltar, Footstepsinthesand, George Washington, Henrythenavigator.
1000 Guineas:
Virginia Waters.
Oaks (3):
Shahtoush, Imagine, Alexandrova.
St Leger (3):
Milan, Brian Boru, Scorpion
July Cup (2):
Stravinsky, Mozart
King George V1, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (2):
Galileo, Dylan Thomas
St James’s Palace Stakes (5):
Black Minnaloushe, Giant’s Causeway, Rock of Gibraltar, Excellent Art, Henrythenavigator.
Racing Post Trophy (4):
Saratoga Springs, Brian Boru, High Chaparral, Aristotle
Dewhurst Stakes:
Rock of Gibraltar
Sussex Stakes (2):
Rock of Gibraltar, Giant’s Causeway.
Eclipse Stakes (3):
Hawk Wing, Giant’s Causeway, Oratorio.
Juddmonte International:
Giant’s Causeway.
Middle Park Stakes (3):
Johannesburg, Minardi, Ad Valorem.
Nunthorpe Stakes (2):
Stravinsky, Mozart
Lockinge Stakes (1):
Hawk Wing
Coronation Stakes (1) :
Sophisticat
Coronation Cup (3):
Yeats, Scorpion, Soldier Of Fortune.
Ascot Gold Cup (3):
Yeats x 3
Nassau Stakes (1):
Peeping Fawn
Yorkshire Oaks (2):
Alexandrova, Peeping Fawn
Fillies' Mile (2):
Sunspangled, Listen.
Ireland:
Derby (5):
Desert King, Galileo, High Chaparral, Dylan Thomas, Soldier Of Fortune
2000 Guineas (5):
Black Minnaloushe, Desert King, Saffron Walden, Rock of Gibraltar, Henrythenavigator.
1000 Guineas (4):
Imagine, Classic Park, Yesterday, Halfway To Heaven.
Champion Stakes (5):
Giant’s Causeway, High Chaparral, Oratorio, Dylan Thomas (x 2).
Phoenix Stakes (8):
Johannesburg, One Cool Cat, Fasliyev, Spartacus, Minardi, Lavery, George Washington, Holy Roman Emperor.
National Stakes (6):
Desert King, Beckett, King of Kings, One Cool Cat, Hawk Wing, George Washington.
Tattersalls Gold Cup (3):
Black Sam Bellamy, Powerscourt, Duke Of Marmalade.
Moyglare Stakes (4):
Quarter Moon, Necklace, Sequoyah, Rumplestiltskin.
Oaks (2):
Alexandrova, Peeping Fawn.
Pretty Polly Stakes (1):
Peeping Fawn.
St Leger (1):
Yeats.
France:
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (1):
Dylan Thomas.
French 2000 Guineas (3):
Landseer, Aussie Rules, Astronomer Royal.
French 1000 Guineas:
Rose Gypsy
Prix Lupin:
Ciro
Prix de la Salamandre:
Giant’s Causeway
Prix Morny (3):
Johannesburg, Fasliyev, Orpen
Prix Maurice de Gheest:
King Charlemagne
Prix du Moulin:
Rock of Gibraltar
Grand Criterium (6):
Hold That Tiger, Rock of Gibraltar, Second Empire, Ciro, Horatio Nelson, Holy Roman Emperor.
Grand Prix de Paris:
Scorpion
Prix Marcel Boussac:
Rumplestiltskin
Criterium de Saint Cloud (2):
Ballingarry, Alberto Giacometti
Prix Ganay:
Dylan Thomas, Duke Of Marmalade.
Italy:
Gran Criterium (2):
Spartacus, Sholokhov
Gran Premio del Jockey Club:
Black Sam Bellamy
North America:
Breeders' Cup Turf (2):
High Chaparral x 2
Breeders' Cup Juvenile:
Johannesburg
Keeneland Turf Mile:
Landseer, Aussie Rules
Secretariat Stakes:
Ciro
Canadian International:
Ballingarry
Arlington Million:
Powerscourt
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