JOHANNES Vermeer finished only third in the Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup at 6:30am Irish time today, leaving his trainer Aidan O'Brien on a total of 24 in his quest to equal the world record for the number of Group/Grade 1 wins in a single year.

The four-year-old colt, who was ridden by Ben Melham, was sent off a 4/1 favourite, but although staying on well in the closing stages of the 12-furlong contest, he passed the post one and a quarter lengths and a head behind the longshots Boom Time (50/1) and Single Gaze (30/1).

O'Brien's world record bid now move on to today's British Champions Day at Ascot.