The Rocket made more history by winning a sixth UK Championship title at York’s Barbican Centre over the weekend.
That saw him draw level with Hendry on 18 major titles.
O’Sullivan, who is enjoying a blistering spell of form with three titles in two months, also matched boyhood idol Steve Davis’s record tally of six UK Championship wins.
Hendry could always console himself that two of his most cherished records might lie out of O’Sullivan’s reach – his seven world titles, and 36 ranking-event successes.
But with O’Sullivan now on 31 ranking titles after his recent surge, and just two away of five in the biggest test of all at the Crucible, Hendry concedes that all bets are off.
O’Sullivan has also long since overtaken Hendry’s records for century breaks (916 to 775) and 147 maximum breaks (13 to 11).
And he set a new Masters mark of seven titles earlier this year.
Hendry, who has retired from the sport, explained: “Only a couple of months ago Ronnie was only on 28 ranking titles, so it shows exactly how quickly things can change when he gets on a roll.
“And if I am honest I have resigned myself to the fact that he is going to beat my ranking titles record.
“The way he is pacing himself and putting in hot streaks like this one it is almost inevitable he will do it.
“If he plays in three quarters of the 18-20 ranking events over the next three seasons he should overtake it. He could get to 40 ranking titles quite easily, let alone 37.
“The seven world titles record I hold is the one that means the most to me, there is no doubt about that. I spent my whole career trying to beat Steve Davis’ record of six and Ronnie could do that one as well.”
Hendry reckons O’Sullivan could land the UK Championship, Masters and World Championship in the same season, adding: “Ronnie’s performance on Sunday night was snooker perfection. He can do the Triple Crown in the same season.”
O’Sullivan can occasionally downplay the significance of his achievements.
But even he conceded that matching such revered records of Hendry and Davis on the same night was a special moment.
The new world No.2 said: “I totally respected both Steve and Stephen when I was growing up in the game.
“I liked and admired them because in both cases they were so much better than everyone else.
“Everybody loves a winner, a player that can dominate a sport. Phil Taylor in darts, Tiger Woods in golf, Michael Schumacher in Formula One – you have to admire their longevity and their skill.”
O’Sullivan’s brilliance at the UK Championship once again put the spotlight on the BBC Sports Personality panel that have consistently snubbed him from the shortlist.
Even highly-respected BBC presenter Hazel Irvine raised the issue live on air last week – prompting World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn to call for the panel to be sacked.
