Racing legend O’Brien dies aged 92 VINCENT O’Brien, perhaps the greatest trainer of all time, died yesterday, aged 92, at his home in Straffan, Co Kildare, Ireland.

O’Brien secured 16 English and 27 Irish Classic victories, 25 Royal Ascot wins and 23 Cheltenham Festival successes during an amazing career which spanned 51 years.

He retired from training in October 1994 and had been spending his winters in Perth, Australia.

O’Brien began training in 1943 and quickly graduated from winning moderate races to sending out the likes of Cottage Rake to win the Irish Cesarewitch, the Leopardstown Chase, the King George VI Chase and three Cheltenham Gold Cups.

The trainer also masterminded the career of triple Champion Hurdle winner Hatton’s Grace before buying the Ballydoyle yard in 1951 from where he sent out Early Mist, Royal Tan and Quare Times to win consecutive Grand Nationals.

However, O’Brien eventually switched his attention to the Flat and handled the likes of Nijinsky, Sir Ivor, Alleged, Sadler’s Wells, Golden Fleece, The Minstrel, El Gran Senor, Ballymoss and Roberto during his stellar career.

O’Brien was also the original purchaser of Coolmore Stud and he set the wheels in motion for their worldwide breeding operation when he recruited John Magnier to run the farm.

The later recruitment of owner-investor Robert Sangster sealed Coolmore’s place as one of the world’s most important stallion stations.

O’Brien is survived by wife Jacqueline and five children including David, who trained the Derby winner Secreto and now lives in Perth, and Charles, who trains in Ireland.

His funeral will take place at noon on Thursday at St Conleth’s Church, Newbridge, Co Kildare.

VINCENT O’BRIEN CAREER

Born: April 9, 1917 Riding career: Amateur, rode first winner November 1940.

First Trainer’s Licence: January 1943.

Champion Trainer (GB): Flat; 1966, 1967; NH: 1952/3, 1954/5.

Big-race wins: Cheltenham Gold Cup: Cottage Rake 1948, 1949, 1950, Knock Hard 1953. Champion Hurdle: Hatton’s Grace 1949, 1950, 1951. Grand National: Early Mist 1953, Royal Tan 1954, Quare Times 1955. Derby: Larkspur 1962, Sir Ivor 1968, Nijinsky 1970, Roberto 1972, The Minstrel 1977, Golden Fleece 1982. Oaks: Long Look 1965, Valoris 1966. St Leger: Ballymoss 1957, Nijinsky 1970, Boucher 1972.

2000 Guineas: Sir Ivor 1968, Nijinsky 1970, Lomond 1983, El Gran Senor 1984. 1000 Guineas: Glad Rags 1966.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: Ballymoss 1958, Alleged 1977, 1978. King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Ballymoss 1958, Nijinsky 1970, The Minstrel 1977.

Breeders’ Cup Mile: Royal Academy 1990. Irish 2000 Guineas: El Toro 1959, Jaazeiro 1978, King’s Lake 1981, Sadler’s Wells 1984, Prince Of Birds 1988. Irish 1000 Guineas: Valoris 1966, Lady Capulet 1977, Godetia 1979. Irish Derby: Chamier 1953, Ballymoss 1957, Nijinsky 1970, The Minstrel 1977, El Gran Senor 1984, Law Society 1985.

Irish Oaks: Ancasta 1964, Aurabella 1965, Gaia 1969, Godetia 1979. Irish St Leger: Barclay 1959, White Gloves 1966, Reindeer 1969, Caucasus 1975, Meneval 1976, Transworld 1977, Gonzales 1980, Leading Counsel 1985, Dark Lomond 1988.