Aidan O'Brien: 'The weirdest, strangest, most impossible things can happen in racing and in life'
David Jennings talks to the most successful trainer in Derby history about his quest for yet another Epsom Classic
All rise, the court is now in session. Members of the jury, your duty today will be to determine whether the defendant, Mr Aidan Patrick O'Brien, is guilty or not guilty of building up City Of Troy to be something he is not, based only on facts and evidence provided in this case.
Mr O'Brien did something similar last year when Auguste Rodin beat only two stragglers home in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, but the trainer defended his colt determinedly in the build-up to the Derby. He was found not guilty of perjury after the strapping son of Deep Impact handed him a ninth victory in the Epsom Classic. He fought tooth and nail to clear his client's name and won. It was a glorious vindication.
Objection, your honour. This testimony is not relevant to the facts of this case.
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- Oisin Murphy: 'Having my counsellor is a big help - I don't feel anything I bring to her is too much'
- Sir Michael Stoute: 'I still enjoy it but probably not as much as I ever did - it can't be much longer'
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- 'It was the best race I ever rode and I was very proud of it - but Sheikh Hamdan thought it was terrible!'
- James Fanshawe: 'It's easy to go in your shell and grumble that things aren't fair - but you have to remember how well you've done'