Image © Healy Racing
Barry O’Neill reached another milestone in his illustrious career on Friday afternoon, partnering his 800th point-to-point winner aboard Kingston Coole at Necarne.
Barry O’Neill reached another milestone in his illustrious career on Friday afternoon, partnering his 800th point-to-point winner aboard Kingston Coole at Necarne.
Always to the fore in the ITBA five-year-old mares’ maiden at the Fermanagh venue, the David Christie-trained grey had her task simplified when the challenging Townhill Last crashed out at the final fence. That allowed the pair to return 11 lengths clear of their rivals.
Coincidentally, it was aboard another of Christie’s horses, Some Man, who had supplied the reigning champion with his 700th success in the sphere when they won at Ballindenisk two years earlier.
This latest success will be even more crucial this year as he is being strongly challenged by Rob James in his quest to keep his grip on the champion rider’s title, with this latest success moving him back within three winners of James as they move into the final month of the season.
O’Neill is just the third jockey to reach 800 point-to-point winners, as he follows in the footsteps of both Derek O’Connor and Jamie Codd, who are the two other riders to have broken the 800-winner mark between the flags in Ireland.
O’Neill’s 800th success has come 17 years after he registered his first winner between the flags when guiding Viking Rebel to victory at Horse And Jockey for owner-breeder Mick Goff.
