Flat season comes to an end at Leopardstown

The Flat season came to a close in Leopardstown today, on Tote November Handicap Day, with trophies presented by Horse Racing Ireland Chairman Joe Keeling to the winning owner, trainer, jockey and apprentice.

Mrs Sue Magnier’s involvement with horses such as Air Force Blue, Painted Cliffs, Curvy and Coolmore helped her secure the Champion Owner title for the 13th time since 2000.

Champion Trainer, Aidan O’Brien has had phenomenal success in Irish Flat racing since he trained his first Group 1 winner in 1996 and has held the title every year since 1998. This season, he enjoyed Classic success with Gleneagles and Order Of St George and notable Group 1 wins with top two-year-olds Air Force Blue and Minding.

Pat Smullen was crowned Champion Jockey for the eighth time having first captured the title in 2000. Smullen rode his 100th winner in Ireland this season on Friday night at Dundalk. He also crossed the 100 winner barrier last season becoming only the second Flat jockey to accomplish this feat, following in the footsteps of Michael Kinane in 2003. He finished the season with 103 winners with last year’s Champion Apprentice Colin Keane in second place.

Connor King (19) claimed the Champion Apprentice title this year, having previously won it 2013. He finished the season with 29 winners. Connor’s most notable success came on the Willie McCreery-trained Colour Blue in the Dubai Duty Free Jumeirah Creekside Summer Fillies Handicap at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend. Another high-point in Connor’s season was riding out his claim at Gowran Park in early September when he won on the Rodger Sweeney-trained Daliyan.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Congratulations to all our Flat champions crowned at Leopardstown today. Our owners, trainers and jockeys are wonderful ambassadors for our sport and continue to do us proud at home and abroad. Sue Magnier and Aidan O’Brien have both enjoyed another excellent season with Classic and Group 1 success. With nearly 30 winners, Connor King reclaimed the apprentice title and is definitely a big star of the future. Pat Smullen has had another brilliant season, riding over 100 winners to claim his eighth title – a remarkable achievement. They are all very deserving winners and I wish them continued success.”