Champions crowned at Leopardstown Horse Racing Ireland's chairman Joe Keeling presented trophies to the champion owner, trainer, jockey and apprentice as the 2016 Flat season drew to a close at Leopardstown this afternoon. HRI's press release reads: 'Through her association with the likes of the brilliant Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes winner Alice Springs and the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes winner Caravaggio, Mrs Sue Magnier has done just enough to retain the title of Champion Owner. Mrs Magnier withstood a strong challenge from HH The Aga Khan who counted the recently retired Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner Harzand and Longines Irish Champions Weekend victor, Shamreen, among his big winners. Aidan O'Brien, who enjoyed five domestic Group 1 victories in 2016, is once again the Champion Flat Trainer. The fillies Minding, successful in the Group 1 Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes, and Found were his big prize-money winners during another tremendous season for Ballydoyle. O’Brien saddled Seventh Heaven to land the Darley Irish Oaks while he also enjoyed top-level wins with the two-year-olds Churchill and Caravaggio. His other domestic Group 1 winner in 2016 was Alice Springs who won the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. Pat Smullen set a personal record in terms of the number of winners and prize-money as he is crowned Champion Jockey for the ninth time. Smullen ended the term on the 115-winner mark and amassed over €3.5 million in prize-money, helped in no small part by the success ofHarzand in the Duty Free Irish Derby. He also enjoyed notable victories with Fascinating Rock, Shamreen and Zhukova. For the second successive year, Smullen beat Colin Keane, who rode 77 winners, into second place in the title race with Seamus Heffernan in third place. Donnacha O’Brien (18) was another to enjoy a memorable year and in just his third season riding has captured the Champion Apprentice title with 48 winners. Donnacha finished clear of Gary Halpin, Killian Leonard and his sister Ana in the table. The standout moment of his season was undoubtedly his first Group 1 success which came at the Curragh on Longines Irish Champions Weekend where he won the Moyglare Stud Stakes on Intricately, trained by his brother, Joseph. For good measure, the filly was bred by their mother, Anne Marie. Donnacha also won a listed race and a Group 3 race on Order Of St George during the season. Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said, “We have enjoyed another terrific season in 2016 and I congratulate all our Flat champions who are crowned at Leopardstown today. Our sport produces many wonderful ambassadors who continue to do us proud at home and on the international stage. Sue Magnier has enjoyed another excellent year as have Aidan O’Brien and his son Donnacha who are worthy winners in their respective categories. In Pat Smullen, we have an outstanding world-class jockey and many congratulations to him on his ninth title. Our champions are all very deserving winners and I wish them continued success.”'
