News: Aidan O'Brien had already set the bar ridiculously high during his meteoric career but Virginia Water's success in yesterday's UltimatePoker.com 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket means he has now hurled himself into racing's most rarefied altitude.
It's just seven years since the 35-year-old from Clonroche, Co Wexford, fresh into the Ballydoyle yard made world famous by his namesake Vincent, landed his first English classic when King Of Kings won the 2,000 Guineas.
Yesterday there didn't even seem to be a second as Virginia Waters routed her opposition to give O'Brien his first 1,000 victory and complete a clean sweep of the five English classics.
To do such a thing at all is remarkable. Vincent O'Brien managed it, yet a long career included just 1,000 success with Glad Rags in 1966. Michael Stoute continues to find the Leger maddeningly elusive.
However, to do it at 35 years of age, with possibly the best yet to come, is enough to make even the most boorishly self-confident of us start to feel maybe just a wee bit inadequate.
"It's great for all the lads who put in so much effort, and Kieren gave the filly an unbelievable ride. He couldn't believe how much she had improved since she won at Leopardstown," said O'Brien.
That relationship has resulted in the young trainer, on Fallon's advice, taking a substantial team to Chester this week for the first time. It is scheduled to include the colt that has been talked up as his possible Derby colt, Gypsy King.
Already, however, there may be another potential Epsom hero resting back in the state-of-the-art training base at Ballydoyle, which is once again back at the top of the racing tree.
There was an almost audible release of pressure as Footstepsinthesand smoothly strode to success in Saturday's 2,000 Guineas. "Like all the Giants Causeway's I have trained he has loads of determination and the fast ground was just what he wanted. I don't know about Epsom but Kieren never had a worry about him coming down the dip," said O'Brien.
Immediate bookmaker reaction was to make Footstepsinthesand the new 5 to 1 favourite for Epsom, where he could be joined by Virginia Waters in the Oaks.
