Ana injury gives a new perspective to Aidan O’Brien

Aidan O’Brien cut a supremely relaxed figure yesterday morning as he hosted the launch of the new Irish Flat racing season, which gets under way at Naas on Sunday.

Some of his established and potential stars went through what he described as “maintenance work” up the Ballydoyle gallops that have conditioned some of the greatest thoroughbreds the world has ever seen.

The champion trainer, who regained his world record for Group 1 wins last year when his phenomenal tally of 28 bettered Bobby Frankel’s mark of 25, filled in the gaggle of media on his plans for a slew of his charges, with a bid for a first ever Kentucky Derby by Mendelssohn high in the list of early priorities.