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Compared to Bin Suroor and the resourses he has, if Aiden’s not a genius, he’s pretty damn close to being one.
Depends on how you define ‘genius’.
What is not in doubt is that he is one of the two greatest ever Irish trainers and must be in the top ten if you include UK as well. Not bad going for a man who is still probably in the early part of his career.
I think his main quality is not so much some mystical "genius" as his almost obsessive attention to detail and incredible hard work
Something Keiran found a bit too much by all accounts…
hes a nice guy too. Does well to overcome his natural shyness to talk to the media
Wouldnt be suprised if thats the hardest part of the job for him
‘…apart from a Magnier bollocking i suppose
Although they can be very hard to warm to and seem a bit joyless…well…very joyless…its an impressive operation
A successful stable is a team effort, and a good trainer is only as good as his/hers lads/lasses Period
Aidan obviously has a major advantage over most trainers : he trains the bluest of bloods and he has the backing behind him to afford to pay the utmost attention to each and every horse’s needs. Bully for Aidan , but there are umpteen other trainers who’d do an equally good job given the same circumstances.
Clint – the reason Aidan O’B got the Ballydoyle gig in the first place is that he’d identified himself, by his results, as an outstanding talent before he had ever set hands on any of his own Sadlers Wells two year olds.
On a more general point the characteristics that most great trainers seem to share are their attention to detail and willingness to work very hard. Traits that are often identified with success in any given field.
In recent years Michael Tabor took Robert’s place and his contribution cannot be overlooked. He added cash, winners of two Arc., an Irish Derby ,a Kentucky Derby and a Belmont Stakes to the operation. Again no genius but he sure knows what he is doing. A perfect example of each player on the team playing to their strength,some full time players some part time.
What is not in doubt is that he is one of the two greatest ever Irish trainers and must be in the top ten if you include UK as well. Not bad going for a man who is still probably in the early part of his career.
Imagine how good he’ll be when he grows up!
I don’t know that there is a generally accepted definition of the term "genius", Andy. Some use the term to describe anyone with a very high IQ; others require extraordinary intellectual or artistic gifts to be combined with extraordinarily innovative thinking or marked artistic creativity. The dictionary gives both and a lot more.
It seems to me though that it should only be applied to people evincing outstanding creativity associated with other qualities of the mind and soul. In that regard, I think Napoleon was very shrewd when he said that he didn’t want courageous officers or brilliant ones, but lucky ones.
In my opinion, if Aidan is a genius, as I suspect he is, much of it would have to do with is possessing a very empathetic intelligence, as well as a good measure of analytical intelligence.
In the sphere of the Fine Arts and literature, some of the greatest geniuses have been have been poor excuses for human beings, but in many other areas, such as sports, character is also important. I dare say we can all think of at least two footballers more than a little touched with genius, but without the necessary "character", they burnt out relatively quickly.
When young people in the public eye are idol-worshipped, often to a large extent due to the insane ravings of the media, some very soon end up "believing their own publicity", and before long, go to pot, or maybe alcohol. One erstwhile female politician springs to mind, though politics and adulation were drugs enough for her, while they lasted.
I was told by an Irishman that the O’ Briens are descended form the high kings of Ireland, as are the O’Connors (of which latter many, he said, still fancied their barr’ers on that account). After the Wizard of Cashel and now, young Aidan, I’m beginning to wonder if the Irish will soon be restoring the O’Briens to the Irish throne. Maybe that’s part of the reason for their throwing a spanner in the vile works of the EU.
Can’t take anything away from the man but you have to ask yourself: Who else could the same given the opportunity? I find it very hard to judge and compare trainers.
One thing is for sure it is very easy to be critical and those sort of vibes coming from someone sitting in an armchair are ten a penny around here.
It’s refreshing to read some positive posts about a man in what is a very difficult profession.
Apparantly O’Brien a nice guy and he no doubt has good people around him, advising him and working hard for him which helps make life easier in any management job.
Racing is a team effort. If the staff respect the trainer and enjoy their jobs that is half the battle.
There are many excellent trainers out there with lesser talents yet they manage to win with them at the likes of Ascot, Epsom etc.
How good would they be with the same financial resources behind them? Hard to say.
However you are judged by your results in all sport and O’Brien is undoubtably doing his job very well and just keeps sending out the winners.
Genius? Damned if I know what genius is when it comes to racing, but the team is exceptional and as he is the man in charge, so he deserves some sort of tag to his name……I hate to be picky but excellent and brilliant are words I much prefer.
I realise that in his position as a trainer for the major breeding establishment in the world, his comments can be seen as purely brow beating for the purpose of selling services to future stallions, but it is also very concievable that the very fact he is training for such an establishment that each new generation would throw up the best so and so.
I personally love it and enjoy watching to see if it all unfolds as they predict it should.
I look forward to following the next Nijinsky. I hope he is given his chance at a triple crown. Whenever that maybe.
Nijinsky was undoubtable one very special horse and too many one of the best of all time. The combination of his style of running and Lester’s ability to make it look all to easy was truly something to behold.
Fortunately or unfortunately depending on your point of view racing has changed somewhat and the days of the triple crown are well and truly over.
I just can’t see any trainer being encouraged to run a horse is all 3 races. At least not one that’s good enough to win.
Perhaps the powers that be should think of scrapping the current set up and changing with the times, but old habits die hard with them.
… and perhaps you’re right, Fist. I think it may be a matter of temperament. I prefer superlatives, and the more exotic the better. Of course the "Wizard of Cashel" is one of my favourites, the more so after reading Ivor Herbert’s perfect biography of the doyen.
So boxing’s Hall of Fame and general lexicon tickle me to bits. "The Ghost with the Hammer in his Hand", "Sugar this" and "Sugar that", "manos de piedras" (fists of stone), "Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee", "Smokin’ Joe", and so on.
I believe wrestling publicity is at least as imaginative. When that great character actor, the late Brian Glover was a school-teacher, he often used to moonlight as an all-in wrestler, performing under the sobriquet of "Leon ‘Arris, the Man from Paris". Typical army humour, but simple lunacy always knocks me over. It’s not difficult to imagine and hear Brian’s stentorian tones ringing out before the hushed spectators. Totally surreal.
Before one such bout in New York, after stepping into the ring in the guise of a certain bishop in one of Shakespeare’s plays, he belted out a ringing speech of the bishop from the play to a not unnaturally baffled audience.
Julian Muscat has an article in the Times on Line where he seems to think that British trainers are left with scraps to train after Coolmore and Godolfin have hoovered up the good stuff. This argument overlooks the rise of Jim Bolger in recent years . He seems to be able to pick up delightful morsels from the floor and not scraps.If owners are willing to breed from their own good mares and race the stock they can still compete.Jim seems to have an eye for a horse but many others do also.But if they succumb to the lure of the money then the pursuit of excellence will fail.When Coolmore started they realized that they had to kiss a lot of frogs before they got to a prince.That rule still applies.But the road to success is now I believet hrough the good mares; breeding your own stock and racing them.Or sharing as Jim did with Coolmore when they picked Soldier of Fortune and he got Teofilo.
A poor article. Perhaps a few of the fat, dumb and happy Bury Road mob (with a few exceptions) should pay a visit to Ralph Beckett and John Best to rediscover some of the hunger.
Cheveley Park would have won two Group One’s this season if they didnt insist on anchoring their horses ’till the furlong pole and Sir Michael has been as consistent as always this year.
Bit of a whinger that Julian Muscat.
Julian Muscat has an article in the Times on Line where he seems to think that British trainers are left with scraps to train after Coolmore and Godolfin have hoovered up the good stuff. This argument overlooks the rise of Jim Bolger in recent years . He seems to be able to pick up delightful morsels from the floor and not scraps.If owners are willing to breed from their own good mares and race the stock they can still compete.Jim seems to have an eye for a horse but many others do also.But if they succumb to the lure of the money then the pursuit of excellence will fail.When Coolmore started they realized that they had to kiss a lot of frogs before they got to a prince.That rule still applies.But the road to success is now I believet hrough the good mares; breeding your own stock and racing them.Or sharing as Jim did with Coolmore when they picked Soldier of Fortune and he got Teofilo.
Not sure what your point is andyod ~ Muscat’s piece is pointing out that the number of group 1 races won by British based trainers is dwindling historically and they are effectively competing for a minority of the top races. If Jim Bolger saw himself described as British, he’d probably choke on his cornflakes.
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