Smullen garners high praise Dermot Weld hailed Pat Smullen as the "professional's professional" as the rider picked up his seventh Irish champion jockey's title at Leopardstown. Smullen and Weld have enjoyed another outstanding campaign, teaming up for big-race success with the likes of Free Eagle, Forgotten Rules, Mustajeeb and Pale Mimosa. The jockey rode 100 winners for the first time and as well as striking at Royal Ascot on Mustajeeb in the Jersey Stakes he also partnered Anthem Alexander in the Queen Mary for Eddie Lynam, and the demand for his services shows no sign of declining. Weld said: "He deserves it, he is a professional's professional - that's the best thing I can say about Pat Smullen. His work ethic and his work-rate is huge, he deserves the success he gets." Smullen added: "It's been a brilliant year. From start to finish, it's been really good. The horses have been running consistently and that's the most important thing in an achievement like this. Needless to say I couldn't have done it without the support of the boss and all the owners. "The slate is wiped clean now, however, and we have to start all over again!" Reflecting on the season, Weld, who finished runner-up to Aidan O'Brien in the trainers' title race, said: "Winning the other day with Forgotten Rules was special, and seeing Free Eagle come back has to be very high among it (seasonal highlights). "He was our star horse. We had a hold-up with him most of the year and to see him come back and win so well at Leopardstown and then run so well on (British) Champions Day was special. "He's taken his race very well, he's in great form and we've a lot to look forward to next year." O'Brien said: "We won some races, lost some races and that's the way it is, it doesn't go your way all the time. We won some nice races and we're delighted. We'll look forward to next year and will have some nice three-year-olds to look forward to, and that's the main thing." Colin Keane was crowned champion apprentice with a healthy advantage over Leigh Roche, making up for a near-miss 12 months ago when edged out by Connor King. Keane said: "It's brilliant. I'm still a bit disappointed to have been beaten by three last year, but I won it well this time. "My number one goal was to beat last year's tally of winners. Luckily I did that and thankfully won the championship at the same time. I wouldn't be here without Ger (Lyons) and the whole team back home." Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: "I'd like to congratulate all of today's Flat champions. Today's presentation gives us a chance to recognise some of the abundant talent in our industry including champion trainer Aidan O'Brien, who has had another tremendous season both at home and abroad. "Well done to Pat Smullen, who set a new personal record this season by riding over 100 winners, and (owner) Sue Magnier, who enjoyed great success with the likes of Australia and Dick Whittington. "A special mention must go to Colin Keane, who has demonstrated huge talent, not only being crowned champion apprentice but finishing so high overall in the jockeys' championship."
