THE organisers of the North Down point-to-point were prepared to celebrate Derek O’Connor’s 1,000th point-to-point success should it have come at Kirkistown last Saturday. That didn’t happen but a placard congratulating him on his 999th victory didn’t go to waste following Muirhead’s win in the open!

On the way to recording his phenomenal total, the stylish Galway rider has won or shared six Northern titles and has given educational introductions to racing to a huge number of young horses in the region. This is particularly true of those trained by Colin McKeever for Wilson Dennison, many of whom have progressed to great success on the racecourse.