FOR Aidan O’Brien, the opening months of the 2023 flat season have delivered a host of landmarks and new records.

Luxembourg’s Tattersalls Gold Cup triumph brought up an incredible 400th win at Group or Grade 1 level in May, a Royal Ascot four-timer saw him become the most successful trainer in the history of the meeting and Auguste Rodin delivered the Ballydoyle phenomenon’s 100th European classic winner in last weekend’s Irish Derby. The numbers are well and truly adding up for the Rosegreen team.

For good measure, victory with top-class three-year-old Paddington in today’s Group 1 Coral-Eclipse (3.40) at Sandown would bring O’Brien into even more new territory. He is chasing a seventh win in the £750,000 prize that would make him the most successful trainer in the race’s history.

As it stands, O’Brien shares the Eclipse record with Alec Taylor jnr and Sir Michael Stoute on six wins - most recently with St Mark’s Basilica in 2021.

Paddington shares the same sire, Siyouni, as that superb middle-distance performer, and O’Brien believes his 2023 contender has the right tools to deal with the demands of today’s four-runner affair - the same field size as when St Mark’s Basilica won the race.

“The original plan was for Paddington to go to Goodwood [for the Sussex Stakes] but he came out of Ascot so fresh and well that we thought we could take in Sandown along the way,” said O’Brien, speaking at a virtual press briefing after declarations were made for the Group 1.

“Everything has gone well since the St James’s Palace Stakes. He hasn’t done much in between but everything has been good.”

Staying power

Stamina is arguably the primary question mark hanging over Paddington as he makes his first attempt at a mile and a quarter.

The mood in the Ballydoyle camp appears to be largely positive on that front.

O’Brien explained: “John [Magnier] always thought that a mile and a quarter would be well within the horse’s compass pedigree-wise and Ryan [Moore] was always very happy to step up in trip too, as was Seamus [Heffernan] who rides him out every day. Everybody is in agreement.

“It’s going to be interesting - you never know about staying until you step up in trip - and we’re also taking on older horses for the first time so we’ll see. On pedigree, you’d think that he would get the trip. Being out of a Montjeu mare means there’s plenty of stamina on his dam’s side. It’s possible he could even get further.

“Obviously St Mark’s Basilica got the trip. He was a miler who had plenty of speed and this horse is very similar in that he is a miler who quickens. I think Paddington is only the second Siyouni we’ve had after St Mark’s Basilica.”

Tactical affair

On whether the small field could turn the race into an even greater tactical battle, O’Brien added: “I’m not sure. He’s a very straightforward horse and Ryan is very happy to go forward or do anything on him. He’s very happy to be forward in his races so I think it should be fine.”

Paddington tackles the Eclipse on the back of a similar preparation to O’Brien’s first winner of the race, Giant’s Causeway. Both contested the Irish 2000 Guineas and won the St James’s Palace Stakes prior to the Sandown highlight.

Asked about comparisons between the two, O’Brien said: “Both came here as three-year-olds and have both run in some of the same races so far, that’s just the way it has worked out. Looking at Paddington in his races, you could say he is maybe a bit quicker than ‘The Giant’ was.”

O’Brien added: “We’ve won this race with some great horses. So You Think was an unbelievable horse and is doing very well at stud, Hawk Wing was a big, powerful horse, St Mark’s Basilica was obviously high class and Giant’s Causeway was a very important horse to us at the time because he was our first really good horse at that level. George Duffield gave him an amazing ride that day. Those are days you don’t forget.”

Fingers crossed we’re set for more memorable moments at the Esher venue this afternoon.