A delighted Donnacha O'Brien after riding his 100th winner of the season © Photo Healy Racing
Donnacha O'Brien joined a select group of jockeys to ride 100 winners in an Irish Flat season when taking the Eilish McAllister Race aboard Lost Treasure at Dundalk.
However the success only came after a scare in the closing strides as the 6/5 favourite nearly clutched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Trained by Donnacha's father Aidan, the War Front colt looked set for a straight forward win when heading the front-running Geological a furlong out but he appeared to pull himself up in the closing stages and only just held on by a nose from Geological at the line. Master Speaker was only a head away in third with Freescape a further nose back fourth in what turned out to be a blanket finish.
The champion jockey elect explained what happened near the finish by saying, "The one in front went off quick and I was left in no mans land and I had to judge it myself. I gave him a squeeze and I got there too soon on him. He stopped when he got there and I think he probably spooked at the light at the winning line as well.
"When the horse in front of you stops you kind of have to kick in case something comes from behind. He stops when he gets to the front, and he's done that in most of his races."
Donnacha is currently 34 clear of last year's champion Colin Keane in the title race, and the next target may be the record 126 winners his older brother Joseph rode when completing back-to-back titles in 2013.
“I’ve ridden 100 good horses for good trainers. I’m very grateful and very lucky to be riding some nice horses. That’s what has made it possible," he said in typically modest fashion.
His father has supplied 61 of the 100 winners this season, while Joseph has trained the other 39.
