18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Mikey O'Connor trains first flat winner

Sun 1st May 2022, 16:40

Der Mc and Jack ClearyDer Mc and Jack Cleary
© Photo Healy Racing

Point-to-point stalwart Mikey O'Connor made a winning start to his flat training career at Sligo today, as his Der Mc (11/1) landed the Tote Win Never Beaten Apprentice Handicap under Jack Cleary.

Rain-softened ground resulted in six going-related withdrawals from the race leaving nine runners, with Der Mc eventually scoring by two lengths from Lariat

O'Connor continues to combine training with point-to-point riding, with his stated ambition of matching Enda Bolger's one-time record of 413 wins before retirement now in sight, following a 407th success recently.

Co Cork's O'Connor today reported “it’s nice to get this one on the board and it was a cool ride. Jack's agent Ken Whelan told me this lad can ride and he was right!”

He added “I only have the horse about six weeks and a great bunch of lads from Cork City own him. I’ve had a bit of luck for these owners before and win, lose or draw they enjoy their racing.

“He likes a bit of ease in the ground and he probably has a good enough mark over hurdles but he hasn’t got the bottle for it. Hopefully that might come right in time.”

Quotes from Mark Nunan

1st
11/1
Tote €12.00 €3.10
2nd
2L
13/2
€1.50
3rd
1.5L
12/1
€2.10
4th
shd
11/10Fav
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.