Joseph O’Brien breaks Flat season record with 116th winner

Joseph O'Brien today broke a record previously held by Mick Kinane when riding his 116th winner of the Flat season in Ireland on Marvellous, trained by his father, Aidan, in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Navan.

Champion jockey O’Brien has already smashed his previous best tally of 87, which secured him the championship last season.

Kinane set the impressive total of 115 in 1993, the year O'Brien was born. The young jockey had only equalled the record some 30 minutes earlier on Sardinia in the October Maiden.

Marvellous (9/2), a daughter of the great Galileo out of a Cherry Hinton winner, looked to have plenty to do entering the final furlong as I’m Yours went for home but as he has done on quite a few occasions this season, the jockey snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the final few strides.

Sardina (7/4 favourite) was having just his second start and stepping up in trip by four furlongs, but despite playing up in the preliminaries he made all the running, never looking in any danger in beating smart bumper horse Waaheb by six lengths.

As O’Brien’s weight prevents him from riding anything under 9st, his father feels his achievement is even more meritorious. O’Brien senior said: “I’m delighted for Joseph and I must give a big thank you to all the owners who have supported him. Everyone knows it’s not easy for him to do 9st and it’s a great achievement to break the record.”

Meanwhile, JT McNamara will continue his rehabilitation at a specialist unit on Merseyside following his transfer from hospital in Dublin.

McNamara was left paralysed after he suffered a fall from Galaxy Rock in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

He had undergone treatment in the spinal unit of the Mater Hospital, Dublin, but has now been admitted to the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport.

A statement issued by Dr Adrian McGoldrick, senior medical officer of the Irish Turf Club, on behalf of McNamara’s family and the Irish Turf Club read: “We would like to thank Ms Noelle Cassidy, orthopaedic surgeon and the nursing staff at the Mater Hospital.

“John Thomas (JT) wishes to extend a special thank you to Aoife, Marie and Ann from physio for their help and care.

“John Thomas would like to personally thank all the visitors he had over the last couple of months.

“It has been overwhelming and very much appreciated.”