ALL the greats sign off their riding careers with a winner and so it was for Peter O’Reilly, who won the historic Newmarket Town Plate last Saturday.

Peter has worn many hats in the racing world. Currently the chief executive of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, Peter is also involved with the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners, has bred a Cheltenham winner and once rode a lap at all 26 Irish racecourses in 24 hours - but that is another story.

Without a win to his name following appearances in various charity races, point-to-point contests and during a spell back as an amateur rider under rules in his younger days, the 65-year-old changed that last weekend with victory aboard Alibey in the 355th running of the historic Town Plate.

Although this year’s renewal of the race, which was instituted by King Charles II and first run in 1666, was shortened to two miles due to the dry conditions, it still had its fair share of drama, which started with Honneur De Sivola failing to jump off with the rest of the field.

Made all

However, there were no such issues for Peter, who sent his mount straight into a lead that he would hold on to all the way to the line. As the field turned for home, all eight of those in touch still had some kind of chance in behind O’Reilly and the Dylan Cunha-trained filly, who was last sighted winning a maiden hurdle around Fakenham back in May.

Try as they might, none could find a way past the daughter of Golden Horn, who galloped on resolutely much to the delight of Peter, who punched the air with delight after crossing the line three lengths clear of Jet Of Magic and Ian Holt.

O’Reilly, who had his wife Tish and children Frankie and Martina supporting him, said: “I’m 65 and I’ve been riding horses for a long time. I rode as an amateur, and I’ve ridden in a few charity races before, but I’ve never had a winner, although I’ve been placed a couple of times. To get a winner at this stage of my career is pure magic.

“That is definitely me done on a racecourse, but hopefully I will still ride out. Ross O’Sullivan, Willie McCreery and Ted Walsh have been really helpful in giving me horses to ride out, so I hope to continue riding out for them.”

First time up

And while a number of those riding in the race, which is usually staged over three and three-quarter miles, had built up a rapport with their mounts in the build-up, O’Reilly admitted he only sat on Alibey for the first time on Friday.

He said: “I was put in touch with Dylan through Giles Anderson of Owner Breeder and Jill Crook of the National Trainers Federation. I was in York on Wednesday on an ITBA members’ trip, went to Newmarket the next day and then I rode the filly out for Dylan on Friday. She was fairly fresh too!

“It is a massive thanks to Dylan and the lads at Advanced Access Platforms (owners) for giving me the horse, as it is hard to get a horse for a charity race.

“I texted Tabitha Worsley about the horse, as she won around Fakenham on her, and she was very helpful as well.

“The lass who took me out there said I should have kicked on quicker, but I wasn’t sure as it is a long way up the straight.

“I wanted to leave it as long as I could before I kicked on and thankfully it worked. I think in that last furlong I was more tired than the horse!

“I was hoping that the line would come, but she managed to get there. She is a super mare that is really gutsy. She kept galloping, and it took me down to the gate to pull her up. Thankfully, it all came together.”

And, although O’Reilly has already raised more than £6,000 for his efforts in the saddle, which is to be split between the Pat Smullen Fund and the My Name’5 Is Doddie Foundation, he hopes that figure can grow over the coming days.

He added: “I was just over the £6,000 mark before the race, but hopefully I can get it up a bit more now that I have won it.

“Fifty percent will go to the Pat Smullen Fund and the other half will go to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation as a good friend of mine in the UK has motor neurone disease.

“I want to thank everyone that has supported me so far, as it has been a great experience.”