Hydrangea only the latest bloom for remarkable Mill Princess dynasty

In many ways, it is appropriate that the Group 1 success that brought Aidan O'Brien level with Bobby Frankel's record for a calendar year should have come courtesy of a filly as tough and versatile as Hydrangea.

It is not uncommon for Ballydoyle inmates to thrive on busy campaigns and this filly, who gave her trainer a 25th top-flight success of 2017 in Saturday's Qipco British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, has performed with great credit and versatility throughout the season – whether it be defeating Winter over 7f to take the Ballylinch Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial back in April; outbattling that same filly in the Matron Stakes last month; or denying Bateel in this very different test.

For much of the season Hydrangea's campaign had revolved around the top mile races, as might be expected of a horse with plenty of speed in her female family. But then she is a daughter of Galileo and, like many of his progeny, she has also come to find 1m4f within her compass.

Last Tycoon wins the Breeders' Cup Mile, perhaps the pinnacle for the family

In addition, Hydrangea is supported by a versatile family that descends directly from Kilfrush Stud foundation mare Mill Princess. On the one hand, it is known for the achievements of sprinters such as Last Tycoon and Beauty Is Truth – the dam of Hydrangea, and a 5-6f specialist – along with milers of the ilk of Immortal Verse and Valentine Waltz.

Then there have been those who have successfully stretched out to middle distances – among them Hydrangea's Group 1-winning brother The United States, a Group 2 winner over 1m4f in Australia; and Ice Queen, who was denied by the narrowest of margins by Moonstone in the 2008 Irish Oaks. After all, Mill Princess herself was a Mill Reef half-sister to Irish Bird, who bred a pair of Prix du Jockey Club winners in Assert and Bikala as well as an Irish St Leger winner, Eurobird.