Noble Name credits O'Sullivan with first career winner Dara John O'Sullivan rode the first winner of his career when partnering Noble Name, trained by his mother Claire O'Connell, to success in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at Sligo. A former point-to-point winner, the mare finished a promising third on her Rules debut at Tipperary in May, before slipping up at Downpatrick next time. Fifth on her most recent start at Bellewstown, the five-year-old was sent off 6/1 to record a first win on the track here. Held up in the initial stages, Noble Name made headway to track the leaders over half-a-mile from the finish. Coming through to head Barra Rua over to-furlongs out, the daughter of Famous Name stayed on strongly to beat the closing Run For Mahler by two-and-a-quarter lengths. “It was great. She is Born Famous’s full-sister and another sister Born Bright won at Market Rasen two weeks ago,” said O’Connell. “She came on nice and slowly. She won her point-to-point and then had a couple of runs in bumpers, she was improving all the time. “We’re absolutely delighted. It’s a great prize with the fillies bonus and everything. “That’s Dara’s first winner, he’s 17 and he’s back to school now in September to do his leaving cert. “It’s homebred, horse and jockey! It’s a day to remember.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
