Aidan O’Brien is no stranger to landmark successes but this was perhaps his biggest achievement yet as Tuesday provided him with a record-breaking 41st British Classic when narrowly denying Emily Upjohn in a dramatic Cazoo Oaks.

The trainer has been the man to beat since taking over as private trainer to the all-conquering Coolmore outfit in 1996 and broke the 159-year-old record held by 19th century trainer John Scott, whose 40 Classics included eight Oaks and 16 St Leger victories. 

O’Brien, who already holds the Irish Classic record and won his first in Britain in 1998, has won ten Oaks alongside an unmatched eight wins in the Derby. He also holds the world record for good measure for most Group 1 wins.

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Peerless O’Brien out on his own in Classic lists after Tuesday strikes in Oaks

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The trainer’s latest success could hardly have been more dramatic as the long-time favourite Emily Upjohn finished powerfully and almost caught the winner on the line, despite giving up crucial ground with a slow start.

“It’s an honour for me to be in this position,” O’Brien said, who was unflustered despite having the anxious wait for the result of the photo finish. “Everybody puts in so much work, literally day and night, so it’s unbelievable for the whole team to be able to enjoy a win like this.”

O’Brien was quick to deflect personal praise but heaped it on the winner, a sister to Guineas and Oaks winner Minding, one of the many top horses he has trained alongside the likes of Galileo, Australia and St Nicholas Abbey.

Whether Tuesday can reach similar lofty heights remains to be seen, but her trainer is adamant there is more to come.

Having finished third in the 1,000 Guineas before finishing second in the Irish equivalent as well as only turning three on Friday, she belied that immaturity under an inch-perfect Ryan Moore ride.

“Ryan gave her a brilliant ride,” said O’Brien. “He rode her very cold. We felt a mile and a half was always going to suit her but you can never be sure. She was a long way back but the next thing she was challenging.

“She’s still a baby and was running in Classics before she was three. It goes to show what kind of a filly she is and she’s maturing all the time. She’s very special and has an unbelievable pedigree. What she did today was classy and it’s possible there’s still more to come from her.”

 

Moore committed Tuesday for home early in the straight but was always confident she had enough left in the tank to hold on.

However, the crowd was less sure and there was an audible gasp from supporters of the well-backed 6-4 favourite Emily Upjohn when the big-screen replay was shown.

“She was awkward at the start,” said Moore. “I wasn’t quite in the spot I wanted to be, but Frankie was with me and the pace was even. She gave herself every chance very quickly but was a little bit babyish when she hit the front and became a little bit unbalanced down the middle of the track.

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4.30 Epsom: Cazoo Oaks full result and replay

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“I always felt she was holding on and although on the line it was a bit closer than it should have been, I felt there was another bit there. She’s taken a big jump forward from 12 days ago in the Irish Guineas. The step up in trip suited her and I can see no reason why she won’t continue to thrive.

“She’s a high-class filly, we always thought she was but it’s taken a while to get here. She’s coming on now though and is exciting.”

Moore also lauded his trusty ally O’Brien’s training talents and similarly thinks we are yet to see the best of Tuesday this year.

 

“Aidan peaked her again so soon after the Irish Guineas and only he could do that,” he added. ”He did the same with Minding, who got beaten in the Irish Guineas then came here and won. She’s only just three and I think there’s more to come.”

Tuesday was cut for a host of big races following her short-head success and O’Brien nominated the Pretty Polly Stakes and the Irish Oaks as potential targets before an autumn campaign, while she was halved to 16-1 by Betfair for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Meanwhile, the runner-up was made the new favourite for the Longchamp showpiece in October with some firms after making up enormous ground under Frankie Dettori.

“The race was gone then,” said Dettori, explaining that Emily Upjohn slipped exiting the stalls. “I was way too far back. Ryan had the rail and knew the field would open up on the inside.

“I had to go round them. Bless her, she took me there in great style but the damage was done. 

“She was a very unlucky loser and it’s a shame because she didn’t get beaten fair and square. Unfortunately bad circumstances got us beaten.”

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Friday at Epsom:

‘It was a hell of a run’ – Emily Upjohn new Arc favourite after heroic effort

‘Why second-guess him?’ – the key lessons from Epsom on Cazoo Oaks day

Hukum seals ‘wonderful’ first Group 1 for Owen Burrows in Coronation Cup