Aidan O’Brien’s pre-eminence in European racing over the last 20 years has been so unrelenting that it can sometimes be taken for granted, but even by Ballydoyle’s standards, the 2025 season is turning into an extraordinary campaign that could match, or even surpass, the record-breaking 2017 when he saddled 28 Group One winners worldwide.
Scandinavia was O’Brien’s 16th winner at the highest level in the St Leger here on Saturday, while Delacroix – like Scandinavia, a 2-1 favourite – took the total to 17 a couple of hours later, showing an exceptional turn of foot to win the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown under Christophe Soumillon.
