The 2015 Irish Flat season came to an end at Leopardstown Sunday, with several familiar faces taking the top honors presented by Horse Racing Ireland Chairman Joe Keeling. All four categories saw repeat winners were Sue Magnier for champion owner, Aidan O'Brien for trainer, Pat Smullen for jockey, with champion apprentice jockey going to Connor King.
Sue Magnier added her 13th champion owner title dating back to 2000, with such top horses this season like Air Force Blue (War Front), Painted Cliffs (Ire) (Canford Cliffs), Curvy (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Coolmore. Aidan O'Brien has now won every training title since 1998 and trained the dual Classic hero Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the aforementioned Air Force Blue and Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). It was the eighth such title for Pat Smullen dating back to 2000, who rode his 100th winner this season, just Oct. 23. Connor King claimed his second apprenticeship title, having also landed that title in 2013. This season he rode 29 winners.
“Congratulations to all our Flat champions crowned at Leopardstown today,” said Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland. “Our owners, trainers and jockeys are wonderful ambassadors for our sport and continue to do us proud at home and aborad. Sue Magnier and Aidan O'Brien have both enjoyed another excellent season with Classic and Group 1 success. With nearly 30 winners, Connor King reclaimed the apprentice title and is definitely a big star of the future. Pat Smullen has had another brilliant season, riding over 100 winners to claim his eighth title–a remarkable achievement. They are all very deserving winners and I wish them continued success.”
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