AFTER a season that saw him ride his first classic winners in Ireland and England, Donnacha O’Brien was crowned the new Irish champion jockey at Naas last weekend.

Riding solely for his father Aidan O’Brien and his brother Joseph, Donnacha (20) won his first classic race when Saxon Warrior landed the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May and captured his first Irish classic when Latrobe, trained by Joseph, took the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh. He also won the Oaks on Forever Together.

Donnacha reached 100 winners for the first time at Dundalk in late September and ends the season with a tally of 111 which saw him land the title by 29 winners from last year’s champion, Colin Keane.

Declan McDonogh took third place in the championship with 63 winners, his best since 2007. Shane Foley and Chris Hayes next on the list with 58 and 57 winners respectively.

CHAMPION APPRENTICE

It was only in the final days of the season that Shane Crosse drew clear of his rivals to secure the title of champion apprentice. Shane only rode his first winner in April of this year and ends the term on the 28-winner mark, five clear of Killian Leonard who finishes runner-up for the second year. Ben Coen takes third place with 22 winners ahead of Tom Madden, who had 19 winners.

CMHAMPION TRAINER

Aidan O’Brien was crowned champion trainer once again, an accolade he won for the 21st time.

Aidan captured an Irish classic with Flag Of Honour and further Group 1 success with Lancaster Bomber, while other notable wins came his way thanks to Cliffs Of Moher, Merchant Navy, Magical, I Can Fly, Van Beethoven, Anthony Van Dyck and Japan.

While the trainers’ championship is decided on prize money, Aidan has set a new record of 152 winners for the season. Mrs Sue Magnier was champion owner for the 16th time since 2000.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Many congratulations to all of our champions for their performances on the track this season.

“It was heartening to see such a terrific spread of big-race success throughout the season beginning with a memorable win for Ken Condon and Shane Foley in the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas with Romanised and culminating with Moyglare Stud Stakes success for Patrick Prendergast and Ronan Whelan with Skitter Scatter.”