Mikey O'Connor trains first flat winner

Point-to-point stalwart Mikey O'Connor made a winning start to his flat training career at Sligo today, as his Der Mc (11/1) landed the Tote Win Never Beaten Apprentice Handicap under Jack Cleary.

Rain-softened ground resulted in six going-related withdrawals from the race leaving nine runners, with Der Mc eventually scoring by two lengths from Lariat

O'Connor continues to combine training with point-to-point riding, with his stated ambition of matching Enda Bolger's one-time record of 413 wins before retirement now in sight, following a 407th success recently.

Co Cork's O'Connor today reported “it’s nice to get this one on the board and it was a cool ride. Jack's agent Ken Whelan told me this lad can ride and he was right!”

He added “I only have the horse about six weeks and a great bunch of lads from Cork City own him. I’ve had a bit of luck for these owners before and win, lose or draw they enjoy their racing.

“He likes a bit of ease in the ground and he probably has a good enough mark over hurdles but he hasn’t got the bottle for it. Hopefully that might come right in time.”

Quotes from Mark Nunan