Aidan O’Brien marched closer to his goal of winning a world record 26 Group One races in a season this weekend as he claimed his 15th Group One victory of the year.

O’Brien’s latest Group One winner is Mastercraftsman, who won the Phoenix Stakes in Curragh, earning himself a slot as favourite in next year’s 2,000 Guineas betting markets.

Mastercraftsman’s rider Johnny Murtagh, who has enjoyed massive success with the Coolmore Stud this season, told reporters: “I wanted to make it a solid race because he has a huge stride. But he is one of these ones that you might think will get the mile, although he has loads of speed and a huge stride that gets horses in trouble, like he did today.”

Mastercraftsman’s performance was notable for featuring a 4½ length margin of victory over Michael Bell’s Coventry Stakes winner Art Connoisseur.

Despite moving closer to his goal of 26 Group One wins, Aidan O’Brien was not present at Curragh on Saturday, preferring to watch his son represent Ireland in an eventing competition.

Murtagh described O’Brien as a genius after the race, saying “The way the horses come out and perform every day is amazing. Whenever they get into a battle, they never get beaten.”