Trainer Joseph O'Brien today ended 2024 as Dundalk’s leading trainer, as he gained the accolade for the sixth time following the final-race success of San Andreas in the concluding Horse Racing Returns To Dundalk Friday 10th January 2025 Handicap.

Just a fortnight earlier, San Andreas had provided today’s rider Shay Wallace with his first success and today, the Ballynoe, Co Cork apprentice steered the eight-year-old to a 1.25 lengths win over Come On The Lads

It was O’Brien’s 26th Dundalk success this year, moving him one ahead of Ado McGuinness while Colin Keane was confirmed the leading jockey for 2024, also for the sixth time.

Following San Andreas’ success, jockey Shay Wallace said “he is a very good horse and I can't thank the owners and Joseph enough: he has been brilliant to me, that's my fifth or sixth ride on him and my second winner.

"San Andreas did it very well, maybe even a little bit better than the last time and I was very happy with him. He is very good and I think the trip is suiting him a lot better.

"This has been a very good Christmas present - I don't think I can ask for much more!"

Quotes from Michael Graham