Calidus Mirabilis leads Flower Garland© Photo Healy Racing
Champion Jockey-turned trainer Donnacha O'Brien was denied a first winner in his new role, by his brother and fellow trainer Joseph O'Brien at Dundalk today as Calidus Mirabilis led home Flower Garland to win the View Restaurant January Special Handicap.
Both O'Brien brothers are dual-Champion Flat Jockeys and with older brother Joseph O'Brien already sending out Breeders Cup and Melbourne Cup winners, recently retired jockey and younger sibling Donnacha joined the training ranks with two runners at the Co Louth venue on January 10.
Today Flower Garland, representing Donnacha, gave chase to Joseph's Calidus Mirabilis for the final furlong and a half but was unable to catch winner Calidus Mirabilis, who eventually scored by a neck.
Winning trainer Joseph O'Brien was represented by his assistant Brendan Powell who later quipped “he had to go and beat his brother!
“Alan (Persse, winning jockey) has given him a lovely ride because there wasn't much pace. He wanted to be handy and he's let him do his own thing.
“The horse stays and he'll stay a bit further than this (mile). He had no weight on his back and I think when he kicked turning in it probably won him the race as it was hard to peg him back in a slow run race.
“He's been gelded since his last run and there is no reason why he couldn't go and win again now.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
