(Timmy O'Byrne accepting the award on behalf of Roddy O'Byrne from John Gerety)
Connollys Red Mills Champion Pointer- Sydney Paget
The Connollys Red Mills champion point-to-pointer award was first awarded in 2012 when Battlefront took the honours.
The winner is chosen on the number of wins a horse lands during the season and if it is tied, place runs are then taken into account.
The Pat Doyle trained gelding finished the season with eight wins which is the same result as last year’s winner, Ourmanmassini.
Bred in Dungarvan by Paddy Kiely, Sydney Paget was trained by Kielys brother, David, to be second at Dromahane in a four-year-old maiden in 2011 to Rock Of Allen.
Having been unsold after this run, Sydney Paget was then sent to Donald McCain where he went on to win four races and was also favourite for the Welsh National.
Owned by Roddy O'Byrne who is based in Kentucky in America, the son of Flemensfirth lost his form somewhat in England and came back to Ireland for a summers grass. From here he went to Pat Doyle to return point-to-pointing.
During the 2015/2016 season, Sydney Paget won four point-to-points as well as the Joseph O’Reilly hunter chase while last season he won a further three point-to-points.
The 11-year-old made his seasonal reappearance at Ballinaboola in November where he was second to Eddies Miracle before finishing third to Ourmanmassini at Mainstown in December.
He won his first race this season at Aghabullogue in January and went onto to be unbeaten on his next seven starts at Belharbour, Cragmore, Lismore, Moig South, Ballysteen & Dromahane (twice).
He was partnered to success by Derek O’Connor on seven occasions as well as Johnny Barry once.
From 20 runs with the Co. Tipperary trainer Sydney Paget has not finished out of the first three. (16 wins, three 2nds & one 3rd)
