O'Connor completes full-set of Irish courses

After the domination of his father and brother Aidan and Donnacha earlier on the card, with their hat-trick, Joseph O'Brien got in on the act at the Curragh. He trains Apparition for the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate and the three-year-old came out on top in the Irish Daily Mail Amateur Riders Derby (Q.R.) Handicap.

The only one from the 'Classic generation' in this twelve runner mile and a half event, Apparition went for his race under Derek O'Connor from the furlong pole. Time For Mabel and Political Policy were soon in pursuit, but they were half a length and a nose down at the line.

O'Connor has now ridden a winner at every track in Ireland.

"Derek gave him a great ride. He was saying he has a winner in every track in Ireland now and that's some effort. I'd delighted for him," said the winning trainer.

"It was a tough performance out of him and that's probably as far as he wants to go. I wouldn't say he was doing a lot in front, that's what it looked like, and Derek said probably a mile-and-a-quarter might be his optimum.

"It was a nice prize and nice to get him to win. He's a very good jumper and that's where his future lies.

"He's 16'2 and well able to jump. He can go three-year-old hurdling whenever.

"We'll see what the handicapper does and if there was a nice mile-and-a-quarter race back here he could come back for that.

"He seems to like the track here. He's a big horse and has run very well on his two runs here. He's a nice horse."

For his part O'Connor reflected on his achievement by saying: "It's nice but it's down to the people I ride for and I get great support.

"I've teamed up with Joseph three times now for two winners so it's a good strike-rate."

(GC & EM)