In the wake of a stellar performance at Royal Ascot 2025, legendary trainer Aidan O’Brien has spoken out in glowing terms about his longtime collaborator, Ryan Moore, calling him “irreplaceable” and “a true legend in the horse racing world.”

Speaking to press after Moore’s latest victory aboard Sober in the Queen Alexandra Stakes, O’Brien did not hold back in his praise for the 41-year-old jockey, who now boasts an astonishing 92 career wins at Royal Ascot

“Ryan isn’t just a great jockey — he’s an icon,” O’Brien said. “His technique is flawless, his instincts are razor-sharp, and when he’s in the saddle, people watch. There’s a quiet brilliance in everything he does. You can’t teach what he has — it’s something rare.”

O’Brien, who has worked with Moore for over a decade, emphasized that beyond the statistics and trophies, there’s something deeply personal that fuels Moore’s extraordinary focus and work ethic.

“He tries so hard, every single ride, every single detail. And it’s because there’s someone very special always behind him, supporting him,” O’Brien revealed, without naming names. “That quiet support — that belief — it drives him more than anything. And you see it in how he rides. He rides with purpose.”

A Partnership Built on Excellence

The Moore–O’Brien partnership is one of the most successful in modern flat racing history. Together, they have won countless Group 1 races across the globe, including at Royal Ascot, Longchamp, The Curragh, and Churchill Downs.

What makes Moore stand out, according to O’Brien, isn’t just his results — it’s how he gets them.

“Ryan reads a race better than anyone I’ve ever worked with. He never panics, he’s always thinking two, three moves ahead. And when the moment comes, he makes it look effortless.”

Their recent win with Trinity College in the Hampton Court Stakes — Moore’s 90th Royal Ascot victory — was a textbook example of his mastery, with Moore executing a flawless front-running ride that left the field behind.

A Legacy That Inspires

While Moore is famously private and rarely grants interviews, those around him continue to shed light on the values that define his greatness: humility, discipline, and an unshakable love for the sport.

“He doesn’t ride for the spotlight,” O’Brien said. “He rides for the horse, for the team, and maybe — most of all — for that special someone who’s always believed in him.”

With more major races ahead this season, including the Irish Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Moore-O’Brien duo shows no signs of slowing down.

One thing is clear: in the eyes of Aidan O’Brien — and in the hearts of racin