Aidan O'Brien is under no illusions regarding the standing of the Derby ahead of next week's Epsom showpiece.
The Master of Ballydoyle heads to the Britain's most revered Classic in search of a record-extending 12th win in the race, one year on from his latest, courtesy of Lambourn's impressive success under Wayne Lordan.
O'Brien, 56, has saddled the winner on each of the last three years and, amid concerns in relation to the race's impact of the global stage, is keen to stress that the Derby still remains the pinnacle for anyone involved in the sport.
When asked by reporters at the Racing Post if the Derby is still a big deal, O'Brien responded emphatically, saying: "Oh, God, it is. There's no race like the Derby! It's the ultimate test.
"Anybody who has had anything to do with a thoroughbred – an owner, a breeder, a trainer, a jockey – will tell you how difficult it is. It's such a big, competitive race.
"You can't take anything for granted with it, no matter what horse you have, because there are so many variables. There are so many tests that they have to pass all the way. There's the atmosphere, the track, the ground. It's so different to everything else."
Galileo gave O'Brien his victory in the race all the way back in 2001 and, whilst obviously extremely classy on the track, went onto enjoy one of the most impactful stallion careers of the modern era after his racing career had reached its conclusion.
Not only did he produce Frankel, during his storied time at stud, Galileo also accounted for five future Derby winners.
New Approach was his first, taking the Epsom Classic in 2008, before Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine.
"No track in the world can do what Epsom does to a horse. Nowhere else can test a horse in that way. It's so different in every way. You could never invent a track like that again," O'Brien continued.
"It's up the hill at the start and there's a serious rise, you rise into the clouds, then you level off and you start coming down it and you're sweeping the whole time.
"And then you have to stay on top of everything else. There are cambers everywhere, all over the place. It's so unique it's incredible."
O'Brien yet again looks set to saddle the favourite heading into this year's race after Benvenuto Cellini underlined his Derby credentials with a taking win in the Chester Vase last time out.
Lambourn won the very same race prior to his Classic victory last year and his stablemate is well fancied at 2/1.
By Frankel, Benvenuto Cellini has Derby blood flowing through him, of course being a relative to the aforementioned Galileo.
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
