Joseph congratulated by his father Aidan© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O’Brien reflected on one the greatest days of his life the morning after saddling Latrobe to claim Irish Derby glory.
O’Brien is no stranger to big-race success, having won multiple Group Ones and Classics during his riding days before turning his attentions to the training game in 2016.
In the last 12 months the dual-purpose handler has won a Melbourne Cup with Rekindling and an Irish Gold Cup with Edwulf before Latrobe provided him with a first Classic victory as a trainer at the Curragh on Saturday.
Ridden by his brother Donnacha, the Camelot colt saw off four runners trained by their father Aidan O’Brien to record a famous triumph.
Speaking on Racing UK’s Luck On Sunday programme, O’Brien said: “It was an unbelievable day. For the horse to win and Donnacha to ride him was special. It was right up there with any day in my life really.
“We thought we had a good chance of finishing in the first four. We were going to drop in, but there was no speed on, so Donnacha let him move forward and slot in second. That was probably the winning of the race.
“We loved the horse from day one.”
O’Brien paid tribute to his brother, who was winning his third Classic of the season after winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saxon Warrior and the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Forever Together
He continued: “I can’t actually remember the last day Donnacha rode out in my yard. He’s in Ballydoyle every day of the week and he rides work for me when we take the horses away.
“He obviously rides a lot of them on the track and we speak to each other pretty much every day. We’re very close in that regard.
“Donnacha is probably a bit more relaxed than I ever was. He takes things in his stride and he’s probably a bit more dedicated with his weight.
“He appreciates that he’s not going to be able to ride forever and he makes the most of what he can when he can.”
O’Brien is in no rush to firm up future targets for Latrobe, adding: “Obviously there’s all the good races for him. He’ll probably have to step up again to take on the older horses.
“We hadn’t thought much further than yesterday, so we’ll enjoy yesterday and have a chat with Lloyd and Nick (Williams, owners) and regroup this week.”
