Smullen and O'Brien land Killarney finale with Mont St Michel Aidan O'Brien and Paddy Smullen teamed up with Mont St Michel to land the concluding HR Buddy (Q.R.) Race at Killarney. A five-race maiden coming into the race, the 95-rated colt opened his account under a confident ride from his young jockey. Tracking the pace throughout, the 11/4 chance travelled strongly in third place early in the straight. Ridden to go second over a furlong out, the son of Galileo quickened up smartly to head Sorrentino inside the last 50 yards. Smullen said: "That was really good and being so focussed on winning, it was only after pulling up that I realised I had beaten Patrick Mullins. He said well done to me so it was very nice and that's my second winner. I've had a few places rides recently so it was great to get my head in front again. "I haven't ever ridden out in Ballydoyle so I'd like to thank Aidan (O'Brien) and the whole Moyglare team, who didn't have to give me the ride and thankfully it has worked out. "The ride came about as I was talking with Fiona Craig (of Moyglare Stud) and Mr Weld about looking for horses to ride in amateur races and she said this one. Aidan said to work away riding him, it is a class opportunity to get and I'm riding him until he goes to the sales." Regarding his father's charity race on August 30, he added "There are some good riders riding in my father's race at the Curragh including my cousin Aaron Smullen, who led me up today so hopefully he will get as good a spin as I did." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
