AFTER his famous victory on the Willie Mullins-trained Ethical Diamond in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar the day before, Dylan Browne McMonagle again showed that, like all the best riders, he has ‘a clock in his head’ as he arrived back at the Curragh on schedule to receive his trophy for winning the Irish Flat jockeys’ championship for the first time at the age of 22.

There was a request made to the stewards that he be allowed to replace Wayne Hassett on Starford who was favourite for the Guinness 0.0 Finale Stakes.

This was denied and, in the event, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Starford finished well beaten as stablemate Beset (7/1) routed her 14 rivals under Declan McDonogh, scoring by seven and a half lengths from Royal Entry.

Beset carries the colours of Kevin Blake and is owned in partnership with Emma Palmer, Michael Wilson and Nick Luck.

“She has a very enthusiastic bunch of owners and they will be hot on Instagram tonight,” said McDonogh. “She loves that heavy ground and gave me a good feel today.”

Welcome reception

Browne McMonagle was given a great reception by family, friends and colleagues as the presentations were made in the parade ring after that penultimate race of the season.

Likewise, Wayne Hassett was a popular winner of the apprentice title race and his victory on James J Braddock (9/4 favourite) in the opening Irish EBF Maiden (Smullen Series) extended his lead over Robert Whearty to two (25-23), which was how things finished at close of play.

The Zarak colt raced close to the pace and went away to beat Cannes and Atomic City by six lengths and two and three-quarter lengths.

It was a 1-2-3 for Joseph O’Brien, who was initiating a double for himself and owner Kevin Blake.

“He’s still plenty green but did it very well,” said Hassett who had finished joint-second in last year’s apprentice championship.

Chris Armstrong was on hand to receive the trophy for being champion flat trainer on behalf of Aidan O’Brien, who was winning this for the 27th consecutive time.

ROSS O’Sullivan was delighted to secure his first pattern race victory as Chally Chute (11/8 favourite) rose to the top in the Group 3 Comer Group International Loughbrown Stakes.

The seven-year-old, owned by his breeders Julie White and Dominic O’Neill, had finished second in the Irish Cesarewitch and went one better under Donagh O’Connor for whom it was also a first group winner.

The Fast Company gelding scored by three and a half lengths from The Shunter, and O’Sullivan commented: “He was unlucky in the Cesarewitch when he didn’t get a clear run, but it’s great to come back here and win a Group 3.

“He could end up going for some of the Cup races next year and could travel to England and France.”

Diesel doubles up

O’Sullivan and O’Connor doubled up when classy bumper mare Switch From Diesel (9/2) made a winning debut on the flat in the 1xBet Safer Gambling Maiden. The daughter of Yeats came from well off the pace to nail Factual Fact on the line with a nose the margin of victory.

O’Sullivan said of Paul Mullins’ home-bred: “The plan was to come here and have a run to set her up nicely to go jumping. Donagh gave her a great ride. She can’t be hit so it’s hands and heels all the way, but she’s as tough as nails.”

Twice successful last season, Staysound Susie (6/1) gained her first victory of 2025 in the 1xBet Supports Irish Racing Sprint Handicap.

A third winner for young rider Jimmy Dalton, the U S Navy Flag filly quickened up well inside the final furlong to beat Asdana by a length and a quarter.

The four-year-old is owned by the Dreamers and Believers Syndicate and trainer Andy Slattery said: “She’ll probably go in foal early next year and race early in the season. That’s our best flat season with 29 winners.”

THERE were emotional scenes in the winners’ enclosure after the Finlay Volvo Premier Mile Handicap, where Titanium (12/1) came out on top under Rory Mulligan.

The six-year-old is owned by a group of friends including Damian Nolan, D P Kilmurray and Kieran Clarke, but sadly another member of the syndicate, Liam Gavin, had passed away just a few days previously.

The Zarak gelding was produced with a well-timed challenge to beat Perry Mason by two and a half lengths and trainer Ciaran Murphy explained: “This means so much to us as we lost Liam Gavin and his removal is today. We said we’d go ahead and run the horse and it’s just amazing that he’s done that. It’s very emotional.”

Fighting hard

Tina’s Indian (1/2 favourite) added to a maiden win at the Curragh last year when gaining a hard-fought victory under Ronan Whelan in the WTW Willis Race.

The Calyx four-year-old, owned by breeder Con Harrington along with James John Hughes, was headed by Senna’s Girl inside the final furlong but just proved the stronger in the closing stages to score by a neck.

Trainer Mark Fahey said: “It was a good opportunity for him and he seems to be going a lot better since being gelded during the summer.”

Alan Persse rode his first winner in over two years as Key Witness (10/1) took the Final Furlong Podcast With 1xBet.ie Handicap. The Acclamation gelding got home by half a length from Miss Nifty.

Trainer Pat Flynn said of his wife Catherine’s winner: “He walked by me at the Newmarket sales, and I said to Catherine ‘there’s a racehorse’ and bought him for 15 grand. He’s only three and is a Saturday horse now. I’ll probably put him away for the winter.”