Joseph O’Brien trains first G1 winner
Fledgling trainer Joseph O’Brien has won his first Group One race with Intricately taking out the Moyglare Stakes at the Curragh.
It was very much a family affair with the former champion jockey’s father Aidan saddling four of the other six runners in Sunday’s seven-furlong (1400m) contest.
Intricately, ridden by Joseph’s brother Donnacha, got the result in a tight finish over Hydrangea who had led the race.
“It’s unbelievable. She’s very tough. She’s been running well all year and Donnacha gave her an unbelievable ride,” O’Brien said.
“This means the world to me. It’s Donnacha’s first Group One and my mum bred her.
“You probably get a bigger kick out of training winners than riding them, as a lot more work goes into it.”
“Obviously Dad had the second and third as well, so it was great.”
O’Brien senior said he was thrilled for his children.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am for them,” he said.
“It’s so hard to win Group One races and I’m very happy to miss out on this one. For Donnacha and Joseph and everyone that works so hard in their yard, it’s great.
“Where Joseph trains (Piltown, County Kilkenny), we trained a lot of winners but we never trained a Group One winner or anything close to it, so I can’t tell you how delighted we all are and I think everyone is.”