The Experts Agree

Aidan O'Brien, trainer for the world's leading thoroughbred operation Coolmore, lets it slip occassionally in interviews one of his tools for success. Here he is speaking about One Cool Cat and Yeats, two of his European superstar athletes:

John Magnier gave all the credit to O'Brien saying, 'Aidan was the only one in the stable who wanted to run him again' but typically the trainer diverted any praise towards the horse. 'You would not believe how well he works at home. We have a heart monitor on him all the time, and his heart rate goes up and down very quickly.’

‘But it is in the post-race interview that his real fascination and knowledge of his horse's mind and physiology creeps out. "Listen. He's not just a plodder, he's unique. His lungs and his heart are massive. Most horses are full out at a mile and a half but his heart rate is just getting up to a 180 at that point and he is just getting going.’’