The O'Brien family were all smiles at Leopardstown as Joseph O'Brien - son of master trainer Aidan - made just his second ride in public a winning one on his father's Johann Zoffany in the Kilmacud Handicap.
O'Brien junior, 16, looked excellent value for his 10lb claim as he gave the well-backed 7-4 favourite a textbook ride from the front, with the pair holding Chebona Bula by a length and a half.
The winning rider was led in by his mother Anne-Marie O'Brien, who was smiling broadly and who was an accomplished rider herself.
A proud O'Brien senior said of his eldest son, who is in his fifth year at Rockwell College: "I really appreciate the owners giving him the chance to ride such a nice horse, and the 10lb claim was a big help.
"It's great to be here to see it, I got an unbelievable kick out of it.
"Joseph has ridden plenty of work, but you can't beat race experience and everything went well on Sunday.
"His mum was quite a good jockey but I don't know about his dad!"< Hindu Kush made all under Chris Hayes to land the Seamus & Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes.
Formerly with Aidan O'Brien, the Sadler's Wells colt is now trained in Britain by David Nicholls, and was reversing recent Navan running with 8-13 favourite and runner-up, Alandi
Hayes' mount (7-1) was brave in front, repelling the strong challenge of Sublimity through the last couple of furlongs before getting home by a length from Alandi, who was losing his unbeaten record at the third attempt. Sublimity was a highly creditable third.
Hayes said: "He got a freebie in front. We sprinted from four furlongs out and he showed a nice turn of foot."
Kevin Prendergast has his two-year-olds in good shape and bagged another as Velvet Flicker built on her debut fifth to take the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Median Auction Maiden.
Sent off a 12-1 chance, she was doing all her best work at the end of the six-furlong contest in 4-7 favourite Clashnacree by a length, shaping as though another furlong would not be a problem.
Pren
