A pair of winners on 2023 opening day made world-renowned trainer Aidan O’Brien the winningest trainer in Royal Ascot history.

Just as Flightline streaked light years ahead on the racetrack, so did the unbeaten phenom run away with Horse of the Year honors at Thursday night’s 52nd annual Eclipse Awards gala at The Breakers Palm Beach.

Godolphin’s homebred Modern Games accelerated in the nick of time in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Keeneland, and in the process, the 1.38-1 favorite joined an exclusive club.

Champions Day concluded with major upsets. Hitherto unbeaten Baaeed could muster only fourth in his finale, as Bay Bridge returned with a vengeance in the Champion, and Bayside Boy sprang a surprise in the Queen Elizabeth II.

Superstar Baaeed looks to go a perfect 11-for-11 in his swan song in Saturday’s Champion (G1) at Ascot, the anchor of five major stakes on the eponymous Champions Day program.

Spreadeagling the field in Saturday’s Woodbine Mile (G1), odds-on favorite Modern Games did more than merely book a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

Unbeaten Baaeed is the prohibitive odds-on favorite in Wednesday’s Sussex (G1) at Glorious Goodwood, a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

Godolphin’s homebred Modern Games overcame Olympic-sized pre-race drama to prove much the best in Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).