Aidan O’Brien’s best Breeders Cup haul overshadowed by victory of Flightline

Aidan O’Brien’s best Breeders Cup haul of three winners contributed to a record-equalling European haul at US racing’s biggest meeting yet got largely subsumed in Flightline fever. On Sunday the unbeaten superstar, billed as the best American runner since the legendary Secretariat, was retired to stud valued close to $80 million following a spectacular victory in Saturday night’s $6 million Classic in Keeneland.

“We would like to thank trainer John Sadler and his team for the incredible work they did with Flightline,” said Bill Farish of the Kentucky-based Lane’s End Stud, where the four-year-old son of Tapit will stand. “His historic performances are a credit to their expertise and unwavering efforts to bring out the very best in the horse.”

An indication of Flightline’s overall value is likely to emerge on Monday when a 2.5 per cent interest in him is up for auction.

If Flightline’s future makes commercial sense, it still represents a rather timid end to a racing career that encompassed just six races. Nevertheless, the last of them proved a demolition job to remember that had experts reaching for historic comparisons.

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Veteran jockey Mike Smith finished third on Taiba and the man who rode Triple Crown winner Justify was unequivocal. “My horse ran the best he run but Flightline was incredible. He’s like Secretariat. He’s the best I’ve seen.”

California-based Sadler evoked other names of the past. “Brilliant is his normal. In the words of Bud Delp (trainer of another outstanding 1970′s champion Spectacular Bid) he’s one of the best horses to ever look through a bridle.”

Officially rated 139 in international classifications – just 1lb behind Frankel – before Saturday’s race, Flightline is now assured of any conversation about the modern greats.

European domination in six of the seven turf races up for grabs boiled down to three wins apiece for O’Brien and Coolmore’s great rivals Godolphin.

Following Friday night’s wins for two-year-olds Meditate and Victoria Road, the Oaks winner Tuesday wound up her three-year-old career with success in the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf on Saturday.

O’Brien confirmed afterwards she will remain in training in 2023. “The horses have been well through the year and sometimes horses can arrive for you, and they have this week,” said O’Brien, who was officially crowned champion trainer in Ireland for a 25th time on Sunday.

It stretched the Irishman’s Breeders Cup tally to 16 winners. All three Ballydoyle winners were ridden by Ryan Moore.