IN a season that saw two jockeys record a three-figure tally for the first time, Donnacha O’Brien is once again the Irish champion jockey.

The 21-year-old retained his title in a year when he added to his classic haul in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Magna Grecia. At home, Donnacha won group races on Innisfree, Rea Tea, Broome, Mohawk, Latrobe, Buckhurst, Waitingfortheday and Blenheim Palace and he ended the season with a total of 111 winners in Ireland, matching last year’s winning tally and beating the 2017 champion Colin Keane by eight.

Keane’s highlight was his Group 1 success on the Ger Lyons-trained Siskin in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh in August. He reached the 100-winner mark at Navan on October 23th, It is the first time that two flat jockeys have reached a century of winners in the same season.

Down to the wire

The apprentice championship went down to the very last race of the season at Naas this and success on the Dermot Weld-trained Maria Christina saw Oisin Orr, who rode two winners on the day, draw level with Andrew Slattery to share the spoils with 43 winners each.

It was a second apprentice crown for the Co Donegal rider and a first for 18-year-old Slattery who hails from Killenaule, Co Tipperary. Both jockeys rode their first group race winners this season.

Aidan again

Aidan O’Brien was crowned champion trainer for the 22nd time. The Ballydoyle maestro, who turned 50 last month, won the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas with Hermosa and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby with Sovereign and enjoyed further Group 1 success with Magical in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes. Fairyland and Love, winners of the Group 1 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes and the Moyglare Stud Stakes respectively.

Sue Magnier is Ireland’s champion owner once again.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Each of our winners is a terrific ambassador for Irish racing and I wish to congratulate the champions we have crowned today. I wish to give special mention to the jockeys that have served up a thrilling conclusion to the season and the apprentice championship going down to the very last race.”