'Lucky year' continues for Kilworth trainer with Punchestown victory
Kilworth trainer Sean O’Brien is on cloud nine this week following the phenomenal success of The Gradual Slope in the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase in Punchestown last Saturday.
Coming home first of nine finishers, The Gradual Slope is the second Mark McDonagh-owned horse that Mr O’Brien has trained that’s had a good year in 2024, with R'evelyn Pleasure having secured another victory for the pair at Cork Racecourse, Mallow back in January.
Speaking with The Avondhu on Wednesday morning, Mr O’Brien said he was ‘still coming down’ from the weekend’s excitement.
“It was enjoyable, to say the very least! Days like these don’t come very often to trainers like me. It’s a small operation, very personal and it’s just been a lucky year”.
Sean was joined on Saturday by Cathal Barry who rides out for him, as his wife Caroline and children Caoimhe and Roisín stayed at home to enjoy Caoimhe’s Confirmation party, with '30 or 40 relatives screaming at the telly!’
The Confirmation party clashed as the appearance at Punchestown wasn’t planned, with the team deciding not to run in the Scottish Grand National and when the horse didn’t get in to the Ulster National at Downpatrick, the decision was taken to run in Punchestown instead.
LOOKING AHEAD
While the weekend was a success for the O’Briens, it was also a big occasion for jockey Mark McDonagh, the son and namesake of owner Mr McDonagh, who is now a fully-fledged professional jockey after the win. The family are from Cratloe in Clare and the younger Mark is in his final year of college.
“His mam and dad were there to see him and from their side it’s very much a family business. I’ve worked with him with 27 or 28 runners and I’ve been very lucky with him, he’s the best owner and we’ve worked with each other for a good few years”.
“In The Gradual Slope, maybe we’re looking at an Irish National horse down the line. Still young, he keeps improving and there’s no reason he couldn’t make it. Next we’re looking at the Midlands national in Kilbeggan in July and then maybe he’ll have his summer holidays!”
Mr O’Brien was grateful to the many well-wishers he’s met in Kilworth and beyond since Saturday, and especially to Ronan Barry who’s allowed him access to the swimming pool facilities, as well as his brother David for use of the gallop after Sean’s was damaged in the recent flooding. While looking ahead to the months ahead for The Gradual Slope, this week young Caoimhe and Roisin were returning to school after the bank holiday weekend to tell all their classmates and friends of the equine related excitement from the weekend.