When Dylan Browne McMonagle pushed Al Riffa clear in the opening maiden on the Curragh card last Saturday, the pair provided Joseph O’Brien with the four-figure landmark every trainer craves.

That O’Brien wasn’t on hand to see it as he was in Saratoga to saddle a runner in a Grade 1 that evening is a sign of the quick metamorphosis that has taken place at his base in Owning Hill, Co Kilkenny.

Six years ago, he announced himself as a trainer by saddling an across-the-card four-timer between Listowel and Gowran Park, the former meeting was an all jumps affair and the latter all flat.

Then, O’Brien was very much a dual purpose player but though he still trains jumpers, his operation has gradually evolved into a huge player on the international flat scene.

Phenomenal progress

His progress has been phenomenal. O’Brien has won not one but two Melbourne Cups, won at the Breeders’ Cup, Cheltenham Festival and scored numerous other Group/Grade 1 wins around the world.

He has done so by putting together a formidable team which has matched the appetite for serious big player owners around the world to have their horses trained by him.

That owner base has grown significantly in recent years but even in the initial stages, the big names came in to support O’Brien.

That made sense in many ways, because here you have the protege of Aidan O’Brien, for many the best trainer in the world, but essentially a private one for the Coolmore partners.

Joseph trains for Coolmore as well but the gates are open for everyone else and the big players have been more than happy to come in.

So it is fair to say, O’Brien has been given a start very few are afforded but he has delivered, maximizing the potential brought by the support of his owners.

For example, just this summer, he announced the establishment of a satellite yard in Saratoga - a groundbreaking move which was aimed to facilitate his American owners and possibly grow that cohort bigger.

It took his father just five years to gain his first 1000 winners but Joseph’s trajectory continues to curve upwards. Last year in Ireland he sent out a career best of 124 winners.

He’s on course to surge past that total this year given he already has 80 winners and a significantly higher strike rate.