Aidan O’Brien didn’t quite reach Bobby Frankel’s Group One record in 2016 but it was another terrific year for the master of Ballydoyle.
A tally of 22 top level winners in any season is a remarkable return and O’Brien reached another significant milestone in the last year by becoming the winning-most Group One trainer of all time.
It’s farcical to think that in the autumn of 2015 some people were suggesting that his position in the Coolmore operation was actually in some kind of jeopardy.
The cherry on top of another memorable campaign was a total domination of the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe.
The October contest is generally regarded as the top middle-distance race in Europe and while the 2016 running may not be viewed as vintage renewal the achievement of saddling the first three home looks unlikely ever to be matched.
It was the ultimate testament to O’Brien’s ability to prepare his charges for the big day.
The admirable Found, so many times the bridesmaid on the big occasion, got her day in the sun on the greatest stage of all and was chased home by stablemates Highland Reel and Order Of St George.
Owner Michael Tabor compared the result to Frankie Dettori’s seven-timer and Michael Dickinson’s first five in the Gold Cup immediately after the victory and there is no doubt it will go down as one of the sport’s greatest achievements.
While Found signed off her career in style this season, O’Brien unearthed another superstar filly in Minding, who looks capable of even surpassing her stablemate’s achievements.
Five of the Group One wins for O’Brien were provided by the leading three-year-old, who not surprisingly scooped the horse of the year awards in both England and Ireland.
The daughter of the all-conquering Galileo showed terrific versatility by winning on different ground and over differing trips.
She was explosive in the 1,000 Guineas when destroying the field and displayed rare guts and determination to land the Oaks from an unpromising position.
The girls really outshone their male stablemates down in Tipperary, with Air Force Blue in particular a real disappointment after starring as a juvenile.
Alice Springs had a terrific year herself with three Group One wins while Irish Oaks winner Seventh Heaven also pitched in with a brace of top level successes.
The Gurkha emerged as the top colt in Ballydoyle and also his generation’s best miler despite a rather truncated career which was ended by an attack of colic.
Having only made his racecourse debut in April, he won the French Guineas in stunning style on his third start and was regarded by many as an unlucky loser at Royal Ascot.
He gained his revenge on Galileo Gold on his final start in the Sussex Stakes but that was to be his last act. Thankfully he recovered from surgery to take up a place at stud.
Next year’s ante-post Classic markets are, as ever, dominated by O’Brien inmates and the top juvenile of the year was undoubtedly the majestic Churchill.
His campaign built from a narrow success in the Chesham at Royal Ascot to two authoritative displays in Group One company at the back-end of the year.
Wins in the National Stakes and Dewhurst marked him out as an outstanding individual and he is a clear favourite for next year’s 2,000 Guineas and Derby.
Behind him in the betting for the Newmarket showpiece is unbeaten stablemate Caravaggio.
The Scat Daddy colt was an electric winner of the Coventry at Ascot and also the Phoenix Stakes but failed to take up late season engagements after meeting with a setback.
While O’Brien dominated the landscape in Ireland it was also nice to see some of the smaller operations enjoy success on the big stage in 2016.
Adrian Keatley was a new name to many outside racing when the Curragh trainer welcomed Jet Setting back into the winner’s enclosure after the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
The 12,000 guineas purchase turned herself into a millionaire with her gutsy defeat of Minding in the Curragh event.
Connections subsequently sold the filly for €1.3m at auction and it was good to see new owners, China Horse Club, keeping faith with her handler.
The Irish 2,000 Guineas also threw up a popular winner with veteran trainer Kevin Prendergast taking the honours with Awtaad.
Chris Hayes shone on the son of Cape Cross at the Curragh as he dismissed Newmarket Guineas winner Galileo Gold in style. Connections will be hoping that half-sister Aneen can give them another big day in 2017.
The Irish Champions Weekend continues to grow in stature and crowds at Leopardstown this year were given a rare treat in the feature contest.
French raider Almanzor stamped himself as a real star when accounting for Found and Minding in an excellent Irish Champion Stakes.
One of the disappointments of that race, Harzand, didn’t end the year well but still retired as a dual Derby winner and capped another fine year for Dermot Weld.
The Aga Khan’s son of Sea The Stars proved a tough and classy performer with his victory at Epsom and again pulled out all the stops to double up at the Curragh.
With also witnessed high-profile first Group One successes on the level for Willie Mullins and Joseph O’Brien.
Mullins, better known for his National Hunt expolits, celebrated Classic glory when Wicklow Brave caused a shock in the Irish St Leger under a front-running ride from Frankie Dettori.
While Mullins won’t be ditching his jumping team to focus more on the level, one man that can be expected to make more of an impact on the Flat scene in coming years is Joseph O’Brien.
He teamed up with brother Donnacha as Intricately landed the Moyglare Stud Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend.
The pair just got the better of a couple of their father’s Ballydoyle runners and this could be a battle that punters will see a lot more of in coming years.
