Joseph O’Brien broke a 20-year old Irish record at Navan on Wednesday with the final leg of a treble bringing up his 117th winner of the season to consign the previous best set by Mick Kinane to the history books.
O’Brien, champion jockey last season with 87 winners, equalled the previous record of 115 which Kinane set in 1993, the year O’Brien was born, on his father Aidan’s Sardinia in the October Maiden.
Just some 30 minutes later the record fell when Marvellous swooped late to win a maiden and O’Brien later teamed up with Denis Cullen to win on Dysios.
“I’m not sure if it’s any more difficult for me than any of the other lads trying to do weight, but I have been very lucky to have some really nice horses to ride,” O’Brien said.
“The horses have been running very well all year and I’ve had plenty of support from the owners in Ballydoyle as well as from all the other trainers who have supported me.
“At the start of the season I was hoping to ride 100 winners and I am delighted to break the record.”
His father said he was proud given his son struggles to ride at nine stone (57kg).
“Everyone knows it’s not easy for him to do 9 stone and it’s a great achievement to break the record,” he said.
“Mick rode an incredible amount of Group Ones for us and what can you say about Mick – he has done it all. It’s hard to believe it was 20 years ago when Mick set the record.
“Joseph was only born that year which makes me feel very old.”
Kinane was full of praise for O’Brien and philosophical about his record being taken away from him.
“Records are there to be broken,” he said.
“I’m delighted for Joseph, he’s one of a very good crop of young riders in Ireland at the moment.
“It’s a great achievement for him and more so because of his weight problems.”
