Joseph O'Brien, eldest son of Ballydoyle supremo Aidan, partnered his first winner when giving Johann Zoffany a highly accomplished ride in the ten furlong Kilmacud Handicap at Leopardstown.
O'Brien (16), who is in his fifth year at Rockwell College and only had his first ride in public at the Curragh last Sunday, sent the son of Galileo to the front soon after the start and the well-backed 7/4 favourite (from 9/4) kept on well under pressure in the straight to beat Chebona Bula by a length and a half.
All the O'Brien family were on hand to greet the winner, with the young rider's mother Ann Marie beaming broadly as she led the colt back into the enclosure.
His father was obviously thrilled by the success and said, 'I really appreciate the owners giving him the chance to ride, and the 10lb claim was a big help. It's great to be here to see it. Joseph has ridden plenty of work, but you can't beat race experience. His mum was quite a good jockey but I don't know about his dad!'
