Donnacha O'Brien quickly off the mark in the training ranks Dual champion Flat jockey Donnacha O’Brien got off the mark in the training ranks with his fourth runner when Flower Garland (8/11 — 4/5 — 4/7) ran away with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Dundalk. Sporting his Bawnmore Racing, D A O’Brien jacket, the County Tipperary handler was on hand to welcome back the Gavin Ryan-ridden six length victor. Owned and bred by O’Brien’s mother, Anne-Marie, Flower Garland was deservedly getting off the mark at the seventh time of asking. The Footstepsinthesand filly led or disputed the lead, and she was headed after two and a half furlongs. Third at the halfway point, Flower Garland made headway to lead two furlongs out. Pushed along to assert and three lengths clear a furlong out, the three-year-old stayed on well to easily beat Camilla Sina. “It's nice to get it out of the way (first winner). She did it well,” said O'Brien, who also rode his first winner at this venue. “She was entitled to probably win off her mark but I didn't think she'd win that well. It's nice to get it. “She gets the mile well and I think she'll probably stay a mile-and-a-quarter as well. She had plenty of experience and was very fit. “I have a few nice horses and it's nice to get the first one out of the way. I've 35 in at the moment. We have a few nice well-bred two-year-olds, the likes of Fancy Blue and a few three-year-olds that haven't run. “Hopefully there are a few decent horses there.” (GC & EM)
