Daniel King from Kilbrin was among the big winners at the Galway Festival, defying the odds to score a historic double.
The 21-year-old rising star claimed victory in the Galway Plate on Wednes-day with Willie Mullins-trained King Alexander, before cementing a stellar week by going on to win the Galway Hurdle on Tony Martin-trained Putapoundinthejar 24 hours later. In doing so, Daniel became the first jockey in more than 40 years to complete the Plate/Hurdle double.
It is the latest milestone in what has already been a sensational year for the burgeoning talent, who has been drawing praise from some of the biggest names in racing as his star continues to rise.
It was also a memorable win for Ballingarry jockey Billy Lee, who guided home an astonishing seven winners at another successful Festival.
Billy, one of the most popular riders in the weigh room, easily secured the top flat rider prize and was two wins clear in the jockeys’ title standings after the Bank Holiday Weekend. One of the wins was with the well-fancied Thread of Gold for top trainer Willie Mullins in the valuable Guinness Handicap.
Also, Athea trainer Eoin McCarthy enjoyed the biggest win of his fledgling career, courtesy of ‘Shadow Paddy’ (5/2f) in the Grade 3 Novice Chase.
It was a third win on the spin for this gelding, which was given an intelligent ride by Gary Noonan of Newcastle West.
Eoin said: “It is this dream you are chasing the whole time and Ella, my second child, had a tear in her eye leading him in and another daughter Clodagh is the same.”
The Complete Package Syndicate of Knocklong are the owners, and stole the show in the winners’ enclosure.
“These are real racing owners and I can’t thank them enough as they follow him everywhere. I was so nervous all morning so I’m buzzing now as this horse doesn’t understand the weight on his shoulders. I have big aspirations for him and this is what we do it for.”