THE competition for the accolade of best horse or fastest horse ever to pass through Aidan O’Brien’s hands is a hot one, and one that has had many title holders over the years. Few seasons go by without another name being put forward, either by the public or by the stable itself.

This year it is Caravaggio, the exciting two-year-old who made it four wins out of four at the weekend in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

Claims by O’Brien that Caravaggio is the fastest horse ever to gallop at Ballydoyle, judged by the horse hitting a speed of 45 mph (10.0 seconds per furlong) on the home gallops are impressive, but it should be remembered that he credited Starspangledbanner with running just over 9.5s (47.4 mph) at home in 2010.