TEENAGER DONNACHA O’BRIEN had a memorable day in Ballybrit, as he claimed the feature on the the final day of the Galway Races.
17-year-old son of trainer Aidan was victorious for the first time at the festival on 7/4 favourite Baraweez, snatching the 7f Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Ahanoora’ handicap by a neck for trainer Brian Ellison.
O’Brien had been in the saddle when Baraweez finished second in the Topaz Mile on Tuesday, but the pair ended the week on a high by snatching the Sunday feature, while a winner in the second last was enough for the undisputed “King of Galway” Dermot Weld to take a 29th top trainer title in 30 years.
The opening race of the day also went to the favourite, with Tony Martin’s Dollar and a Dream winning by three-and-a-half-lengths from Afatcat in the Martinstown Opportunity handicap hurdle over two miles.
There was a big 16/1 winner in the Galway Shopping Centre handicap hurdle though, as Slygufftou was a winner for jockey Luke Dempsey and trainer Michael McCullagh.
Jessica Harrington had her fourth winner of the week in the At The Races Steeplechase, as 14/1 shot Cailin Annamh held off favourite Rebel Fitz under jockey Robbie Power.
Barry Geraghty and Bally Longford came out on top by a length in the Lord Hemphill handicap steeplechase, the 8/1 shot Bally Longford holding off Ruby Walsh and Un Beau Roman.
The punters got some much needed winners on the final day. Fran Berry and Tony Martin had a 5/4 winner with Whatsforuwontgobyu in the JPK Fencing handicap.
1/3 favourite Almela had 19 lengths to spare in the second last, giving Weld his fourth winner of the week, and wrapping up yet another top trainer title.