The 2025 Galway Festival provided Lombardstown jockey Alan O’Sullivan with the biggest victory of his career on the biggest stage of the summer festival circuit.
It was a night tinged with unbridled joy and raw emotion as O’Sullivan partnered Filey Bay to a never to be forgotten victory in the €100,000 Connacht Hotel Qualified Rider’s Handicap.
It’s been a rollercoaster six months for Alan who lost his brother Michael following a horrific fall at Thurles in February.
The burgeoning young talented Lombardstown amateur sported the iconic silks of JP McManus on the Emmet Mullins-trained winner.
He was heavily backed through the morning from 20/1 into 7/1.
Alan was the very essence of patience personified. He sat out the back early on and had some traffic problems trapped on the inside rail.
His patience was rewarded as the gaps appeared as he crept into contention. He shot to the head of affairs at the furlong marker.
He quickly asserted in the closing stages coming home over four lengths clear.
Market springer Mon Coeur finished second under David Doyle.
The well-supported 7/2 favourite, Too Bossy For Us was never competitive from a poor position and finished twelfth.
Afterwards an upbeat and overjoyed Alan O’Sullivan reflected on what he described as an “unbelievable win.”
On a poignant day for Irish racing with the death of renowned NH trainer Edward O’Grady-O’Sullivan was quick to pass on his condolences to the family of one of the best NH trainers for well over three decades.
“I never had the privilege of riding for Mr O’Grady, but he was a great trainer and did a lot of good in this sport. He’ll be sorely missed.”
O’Sullivan also extended his gratitude to winning owner JP McManus who’d earlier landed the opener with Davy Crockett the 1/2 favourite.
Alan said: “I’m incredibly grateful to Mr McManus and to Mr Berry, but especially to Emmet. He put his neck on the line to have me on this horse. “I’m not one of Mr McManus’s riders and it’s my first time riding in these colours.”
Alan has spent the last month riding out at Emmet’s.
He’d ridden tonight’s winner at home and gelled with the horse instantaneously.
The performance was all the more impressive given he missed the break. The winner has been quite keen in the past but settled admirably tonight.
Alan looked to the sky as he crossed the line. He clearly believes in fate and said this.
“Michael has been looking down on me since the day he left us. It feels wrong to say it but I just have so much confidence now knowing that he is looking down on me and to do this for him, I think he’d be proud.”
The normally reserved Emmet Mullins said ” I’m a bit lost for words. It’s just magic.”
In another remarkable twist of fate Alan used Michael’s saddle.
Emmet waxed lyrical about Alan’s contribution to a famous success.
“For seven pound claimers you don’t need to look any further than Alan.”
The poignant post race scenes in the winners enclosure illuminated the opening night of the Galway festival which attracted a huge attendance.