Alan O’Sullivan mentioned Michael would have been happy with his achievement on day one of many Galway Pageant
Alan O’Sullivan crosses the Galway profitable line on Filey Bay (Picture: PA)
Alan O’Sullivan paid an emotional tribute to his brother Michael after driving Filey Bay to victory within the Connacht Resort (Q.R.) Handicap on the opening day of the Galway Pageant.
Novice rider O’Sullivan, whose sibling died in February on account of accidents suffered in a fall at Thurles, produced the JP McManus-owned 7-1 shot to beat Mon Coeur by 4 and three-quarter lengths.
“He was wanting down on me, I feel,” mentioned the profitable jockey. “My aim at the beginning of the 12 months was to be adequate that somebody may need me for this.
“I in all probability went the courageous man’s route, however I believed it’s what Mikey would have executed.
“I obtained a dream run and he galloped all the best way to the road.”
From a horse racing household, Alan recorded various successes in point-to-points within the months after the tragic lack of Michael.
The 24-year-old was airlifted to Cork College Hospital with critical accidents following the incident on February 6 and he sadly by no means regained consciousness.
Michael rose to prominence when partnering the Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale to land the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on the 2023 Cheltenham Pageant.
Michael O’Sullivan after his win on Jazzy Matty on the 2023 Cheltenham Pageant (Picture: Getty)
And Alan was on the assembly this 12 months when the horse and one other of his brother’s winners Jazzy Matty recorded poignant victories on the identical afternoon.
In the present day he mentioned he can be happy with his achievement as he crossed the road on Filey Bay, utilizing the saddle with the initials ‘MOS.’
The nine-year-old thoroughbred was introduced again to full health by Emmet Mullins after a 623-day lay-off and he attracted loads of help on the observe.
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Alan needed to weave by means of on the JP McManus-owned gelding, who opened up from Mon Coeur to reward those that backed him in any respect odds down from 18-1 on-course.
“It was meant to be and I’m a bit misplaced for phrases,” mentioned Filey Bay’s coach Emmet Mullins.
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“It was Michael’s saddle that Alan was utilizing right now. It’s simply magic.”
The race, restricted to newbie riders, was the characteristic on day one of many common week-long occasion at Ballybrit, which coincides with 5 days of the Qatar Goodwood Pageant.
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