IN a momentous first season as a trainer in which he has rapidly ticked off one milestone after another, Donnacha O’Brien broke new ground as Shale gave him a first pattern race success on Irish soil in the Group 3 Frank Conroy Silver Flash Stakes for the Coolmore partners.

The Gowran Park maiden winner, who also supplying star apprentice Gavin Ryan with his first victory at this level, was allowed to go off at 14/1 for a strong edition of this seven-furlong race which went to Love last year.