Champion Colin finishes on 100
Colin Keane was officially crowned champion jocket for the 2017 Irish flat season at Naas today where he recorded a double and finished on the 100-winner mark for the first time.
After a dramatic championship, which produced a duel to remember, the 204 champion apprentice took over the mantle from nine-time champion Pat Smullen who won the last race on the card to finish on 88 winners for the season.
Ger Lyons provided the majority of Keane's winners and a victory today for the Kiltale-based handler took him to 99, but 100 came along soon after from trainer Matthew Smith who is based a few miles down the road from Lyons in nearby Kilmessan - both stables are on the Kilmessan - Kiltale road.
Pat Smullen finished second on 88 winners with Donnacha O’Brien taking third place on 62 winners and Kevin Manning next on the list with 59. For the second time.
Horse Racing Ireland chief financial officer Suzanne Eade presented trophies to Colin Keane and the champions in the owner, trainer and apprentice jockey categories.
From Rathmullan (Donega)l, 20-year-old Oisin Orr is the champion apprentice in just his third full season, Orr wins the title with 20 winners, one clear of Killian Leonard with Ana O’Brien, who has been sidelined through injury since her fall at Killarney in July, taking third place with 18 winners.
Aidan O'Brien is once again the champion flat trainer, Mrs Sue Magnier is champion owner for the 15th time since 2000. Mrs Magnier just comes out ahead of Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith in prize-money won.
HRI CEO Brian Kavanagh said: “I would like to congratulate all of our champions for their performances on the track this season."