Seamus O'Farrell couldn't quite believe what had just happened after Perugino Diamond claimed a thrilling victory in the #100,000 Galway Hurdle today.

'I suppose this must be real.' said the delighted Kilkenny permit-holder after watching his four-year-old battle to a length-and-a-half success at 14/1.

O'Farrell, who owns butcher shops in Kilkenny and Dublin, has held a permit for 15 years and was recording easily his biggest success to date.

Victory had looked set to go to Dermot Weld and Shay Barry as Darialann rounded the bend with a two-length advantage but a blunder at the last allowed Jim Culloty to claw back the advantage on Perugino Diamond, who was equal to the task and answered every urging to the line.

Philip Carberry had made his intentions clear from the start and soon led on Akasian. The pair made a bold bid for glory from three-quarters of a mile out as Carberry tried to steal a few lengths on the field.

Their advantage lasted until the bend with Darialann responding to the urgings of Shay Barry to grab the lead turning into the straight. Perugino Diamond had improved his position from before the second last and now delivered his challenge.

Darialann still held a two-length advantage going to the last but crashed through the flight and although Perugino Diamond wasn't too smart either he got away better from the hurdle and ground down his rival to go away in the final 100 yards.

Barba Papa finished to some effect, coming from well off the pace to just miss out on second place by a head. Gift Token stayed on well to claim fourth while Vivo took fifth.

'As a permit-holder you are lucky to win a point-to-point never mind the Galway Hurdle.' said the delighted owner/trainer afterwards.

The home-bred had previously had stints in training with Francis Crowley and Martin Pipe but O'Farrell decided to take a personal interest in the training and claims there is better to come from the son of Perugino.

'He's not a horse yet and will improve more next year.'

Jim Culloty partnered the winner for the first time and O'Farrell joked: 'David Casey rode him at Killarney but had commitments for other horses today. It looks like he made the wrong decision and maybe he'll listen to me next time.'

Culloty was impressed with his mount who dug deep for him: 'I tried to save a little on him and when I asked him to go he was really brave and stuck at it well.'

'He's a horse with a good future. His jumping was very good in places but not so good at other times. He should make into a chaser in time.'

O'Farrell had already tasted some degree of success in the race as an owner with a third place in 1996 for the Aidan O'Brien trained Just Little.