2018 WAS nothing short of a seismic year for Joseph O’Brien and his brother Donnacha and it was fitting that the pair combined in June to win the Irish Derby with Latrobe.

The Camelot colt went into the race as just a maiden winner, and the O’Brien brothers were pitted against a typically formidable challenge from their father, but Latrobe pulled off a 14/1 surprise to beat Rostropovich. Donnacha O’Brien was riding the crest of a wave throughout the season and it was easy to see why given the inspired early decision he made to move Latrobe up to the front rank in the classic.

Initial plans were for the colt to be dropped out but O’Brien realised almost straight away the perils of dropping in with the race shaping as though it was going to be steadily run.

Both at home and abroad, Donnacha O’Brien excelled throughout the last year.

An impressive final haul of 111 winners earned him a first Irish jockey’s championship, while abroad his English classic wins on Saxon Warrior and Forever Together provided ample evidence of his prowess.

SUCCESS ON ALL FRONTS

Elsewhere, Joseph O’Brien enjoyed a terrific season on all fronts and he sent out his first English Group 1 winner in October when Iridessa bagged the Fillies’ Mile.

A final tally of 85 winners for the season in Ireland left him as the clear second to his father in the trainers’ championship. Furthermore, he had broken Jim Bolger’s 28-year record for handicap wins in a season by the time we reached mid-October. All this, allied to some big days for his jumping string, made 2018 one to savour for the young trainer.

Joseph O’Brien also played his part in the apprentice title as Shane Crosse, who is attached to the trainer, captured the championship with 28 victories.

This was a particularly outstanding achievement by Crosse (17) as he only rode the first winner of his career when G Force landed a sprint handicap at Naas in April.

G Force gave Shane Crosse his first winner at Naas in April, he went on to win the apprentice title with the help of Joseph O'Brien. Photo Healy Racing