The Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame has inducted Aidan O'Brien as its fourth trainer.
O'Brien joins his namesake and forerunner at Ballydoyle, Vincent O'Brien, as well as Sir Michael Stoute and Sir Henry Cecil.
Since his maiden victory at Tralee in June 1993, O'Brien has kept pushing the envelope.
On Saturday, the 2000 Guineas day at Newmarket, he will be honoured with a medal presentation before racing where he will saddle the overwhelming favourite, City of Troy.
“It is incredible, and a privilege for us, as it is something we would never have expected,” said O’Brien. “The people, and horses, that have gone before us I feel very privileged to have worked with. I can’t say how delighted, and honoured, I feel.”
O'Brien's accomplishments are unbreakable, and it should never be overlooked that before focusing entirely on the Flat, he trained Istabraq to win three Champion Hurdles.
Since then, he has won the Derby nine times, the Oaks ten times, the 1000 Guineas seven times, and the 2000 Guineas ten times.
He broke the previous best mark for career winners at Royal Ascot last year, finishing the meeting with 85 victories, and in 2017 he trained an incredible 28 Group/Grade One winners in a calendar year, breaking the previous record of 25.
Reflecting on his highlights to date, he said: “Galileo winning the Derby was my first Derby, and it was Sadler’s Wells’ first Derby winner, so that was very special. To win a Derby was something out of this world, and it is something we thought would never happen. That will be a day that we will remember for a long time. There is no doubt it is all about the people. We always say you can have the horses about the place, but if you don’t have the people, it is a waste of time. They are the ones that put in the hard work, day in, day out, and we appreciate that. ”