Alan O'Sullivan rides Filey Bay to emotional win in late brother Michael's saddle

Alan O'Sullivan paid an emotional tribute to his brother Michael after riding Filey Bay to victory in the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap on the opening day of the Galway Festival.

Amateur rider O'Sullivan, whose sibling died in February as a result of injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles, produced the JP McManus-owned 7-1 shot to beat Mon Coeur by four and three-quarter lengths.

"He was looking down on me, I think," said the winning jockey. "My goal at the start of the year was to be good enough that someone might want me for this.

"I probably went the brave man's route, but I thought it's what Mikey would have done.

"I got a dream run and he galloped all the way to the line."

From a horse racing family, Alan recorded a number of successes in point-to-points in the months after the tragic loss of Michael.

The 24-year-old was airlifted to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries following the incident on February 6 and he sadly never regained consciousness.

Michael rose to prominence when partnering the Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale to land the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

And Alan was at the meeting this year when the horse and another of his brother's winners Jazzy Matty recorded poignant victories on the same afternoon.

Today he said he would be proud of his achievement as he crossed the line on Filey Bay, using the saddle with the initials 'MOS.'

The nine-year-old thoroughbred was brought back to full fitness by Emmet Mullins after a 623-day lay-off and he attracted plenty of support at the track.

Alan had to weave through on the JP McManus-owned gelding, who opened up from Mon Coeur to reward those who backed him at all odds down from 18-1 on-course.

"It was meant to be and I'm a bit lost for words," said Filey Bay's trainer Emmet Mullins.

"It was Michael's saddle that Alan was using today. It's just magic."

The race, restricted to amateur riders, was the feature on day one of the popular week-long event at Ballybrit, which coincides with five days of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.