Image © Healy Racing
Derek O’Connor wrapped-up the provincial title in his home region for a record-extending fourteenth time following the conclusion of Sunday’s card at Loughrea.
Derek O’Connor wrapped-up the provincial title in his home region for a record-extending fourteenth time following the conclusion of Sunday’s card at Loughrea.
The sport’s winning-most rider entered the day with a comprehensive six-winner lead, and despite not riding at Loughrea, instead travelling to Bartlemy to ride for Sam Curling, that lead was maintained no changes to the leading positions in the leaderboard.
Having had to share the spoils for each of his last two title success – in 2023 with Pa King, and 12 months ago with Alan O’Sullivan – O’Connor was a decisive winner this season.
That was in a large part due to the memorable six-timer that he enjoyed at his home venue of Quakerstown on Easter Sunday, when also saddling a trio of those winners himself in his current dual role as both a rider and handler.
Co. Clare venues have been kind to O’Connor this season, as in addition to his Quakerstown six-timer, he also rode a four-timer at Bellharbour in February, including aboard Bud Fox in the four-year-old maiden.
That was a horse that he also trained himself, and he was also aboard that son of Walk In The Park when it went on to win a bumper at the Punchestown Festival on rules debut having been sold to join Meath trainer Gavin Cromwell.
Other highlights included an open success at the opening fixture of the season in the region aboard the subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Wonderwall.
By the season’s end in the province, O’Connor was six winners clear of Rob James to secure his latest regional triumph.
O’Connor’s Western title
2009 – 20 winners
2010 – 21 winners
2011 – 24 winners
2012 – 18 winners
2013 – 23 winners
2014 – 24 winners
2015 – 26 winners
2016 – 8 winners
2017 – 17 winners
2018 – 12 winners
2019 – 9 winners
2023 – 8 winners
2024 – 6 winners
2025 – 14 winners
The 44th Annual GAIN Point-to-Point Awards are taking place on Saturday 7th June in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenney. The Awards this year are hosted by the Irish QR Association.
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