At the moment of his greatest racing triumph, after a lifetime in the sport as a spectator, an amateur jockey, owner and now a trainer, Barry Connell's thoughts after Marine Nationale's victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase yesterday turned, immediately and inevitably, to Michael O'Sullivan, who rode the same horse to victory in the Supreme Novice Hurdle here two years ago and died last month, from injuries sustained in a fall.
"The obvious thing is how raw and poignant it's all been over the last four weeks," Connell said. "Michael and myself went on a journey with this horse, he rode him in all his races in his novice season over hurdles. He started as a 7lb claimer with us and I asked him to turn pro, and he ended up winning three Grade Ones as a claimer and was leading rider [with two wins] on the first day [at Cheltenham two years ago].
"It's an absolute tragedy that he's left us but he's a record that he can be really proud of, he's achieved more in a lifetime than a lot of riders who ride a lot longer ever achieve. So I'd like to dedicate this win to Michael and to his girlfriend Charlotte, who was here with the horse when we were saddling up. Our hearts go out to all of his family and friends and his girlfriend - racing is a great community and gets behind people when things like this happen."
この記事は The Guardian の March 13, 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Guardian の March 13, 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
McIlroy insists he will walk away from golf before he is 50
As Tiger Woods begins his recovery from yet another injury, Rory Mcllroy has firmly dismissed any notion of his own career stretching into his 50s.
Driouech's deft chip earns PSV draw but Arsenal march on
On a night when Arsenal ended the game with four left-backs on the pitch, this may not have been the biggest stage of Raheem Sterling's illustrious career.
'Our aspiration is to win the tournament...that's not changed'
Luke Cowan-Dickie back in for Jamie George at hooker; Ben Curry returns at flanker, Ben Earl shifts to No 8 and Tom Willis is on the bench.
Formula One 'I'm a competitive guy, I like to be good at everything I do'
Ollie Bearman has a full-time drive in F1 with Haas at the age of 19 but has made plenty of sacrifices to get there
City watchdog drops 'name and shame' for firms under scrutiny
The UK's financial watchdog has bowed to pressure and ditched a plan to frequently \"name and shame\" companies it is investigating.
Poor results at Puma and Zara owner amid fears demand in US is slowing
Unexpectedly poor results from the sports brand Puma and the fashion group Inditex, which owns Zara, have fuelled fears about slowing consumer appetite in the US amid uncertainty over Donald Trump's tariffs.
Regulators Say They Will Not Impose New Diversity Regulations on Financial Sector
The City's top two regulators have said they will not bring in new diversity and inclusion rules for financial firms because they want to avoid imposing extra \"regulatory burdens\" and costs, in the latest sign of a retreat from efforts to help underrepresented groups.
UK's Housing Market Slows as Stamp Duty Deadline Looms
Momentum in the UK housing market slowed last month as confidence was dampened by a looming stamp duty deadline and concerns over stubbornly high interest rates and the world economic picture.
President of Ecuador allies with US mercenary for 'war on crime'
Ecuador's president, Daniel Noboa, has announced a \"strategic alliance\" with the Donald Trump-supporting founder of the private military firm Blackwater, supposedly to reinforce his controversial \"war\" on crime.
I feel utter anger Move to boycott US spreads far
\"I feel utter anger. I cannot go on with this feeling inside. I cannot just go and play a tour of beautiful concerts,\" he said, descri# his horror at the authoritarian policies of Donald Trump.
