Aidan O'Brien matches Bobby Frankel's Group 1 wins record

Aidan O’Brien will return stateside for the next month’s Breeders’ Cup in a different air.

On Saturday, when his Hydrangea captured the Fillies & Mares at Ascot, the trainer won his 25th Grade/Group 1 race of the year, equaling the record mark set in 2003.

"It's incredible for everyone," O'Brien said. "They all put in so much hard work day in, day out. We're a small link in a big chain, and I'm delighted for everyone. It's a magic, special day. The chain is so long, and we're so glad to be a little link in it."

O’Brien, 48, hails from Wexford, Ireland, and has saddled well-known greats such as Giant’s Causeway, Galileo and Johannesburg.

In the United States, among his victories are 11 Breeders’ Cup races, often the destinations for his turf stars.