MICHAEL O'Sullivan was hailed a “superstar” by Barry Connell after the ice-cool Cork jockey partnered Marine Nationale (9/2) to win a sensational opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
It was 23-year-old O’Sullivan’s first ever Festival winner on only his second ever ride.
And he admitted afterwards that on this day 12 months ago he was watching Cheltenham “probably on my laptop” while studying for a degree in agricultural science at UCD.
It could be the first leg of an incredible double for trainer/owner Connell and his baby-faced protégé - with the pair also teaming up with the fancied Good Land in Wednesday's Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
Former stockbroker Connell, who has owned winners at the Festival but was training his first, has been bullish in his belief that the five-year-old would win and win well, and he’s now warning bookmakers that he’ll be back for on the second afternoon.
Same time, same place.
"I told the whole of Ireland to back the two horses. And we're coming back for a double with Good Land tomorrow!"
“How do you think it feels? Best feeling of all time! I put a lot of pressure on myself, saying he was the best horse I’ve ever had. He’s very, very quick.”
Marine Nationale was produced late by O’Sullivan to surge past the 9-4 favourite Facile Vega as they approached the final hurdle. Not even a sloppy jump halted his momentum and the pair ran out comfortable three and a half length winners in a race where the first eight home were trained in Ireland.
“This is a quick horse, he’s probably a Group 1 horse on the Flat, and we might get around to that at some stage. But today was his day. He’s had five runs and won all five. His jockey is a superstar.”
That “superstar” O’Sullivan comes from a family in Lombardstown, Co Cork steeped in Festival history. He’s still entitled to claim 5lbs in his races due to having only ridden around 30 career winners but because it was a Grade 1 he didn’t yesterday.
His dad Eugene trained the Foxhunters’ winner Lovely Citizen in 1991, ridden by his uncle Willie, while his sister Maxine won the same race here in 2020.
“I’ve been riding in races since I was very young so I’ve plenty of experience and I’m confident enough in my own ability without being over-confident and I’m riding good horses for good people and that makes it a lot easier. You could nearly say the Supreme is the biggest race of the week as it is the first - I’m very lucky and it is a great thrill,” he said.
Connell has tipped him for the top since their relationship began last summer and his faith in the Cork youngster has been justified with this their third Grade 1 of the season.
“You mark his name. Did you ever see a cooler ride in Cheltenham? Unbelievable,” he said.
“He was a champion novice point to point rider. He hasn’t come from the pony racing field, he’s come from proper horsemen. And he’s a thinker, a very smart guy.
“He’s got his university degree already. He’s 23, he’s not a kid, and I have no problem with him not being able to claim - he doesn’t need his claim. I never thought in any circumstances about putting a more experienced jockey on. If you gave me any jockey, I wouldn’t swap him.”
Connell worked as a stock broker for many years, and employed several trainers during his time as an owner, and several jockeys, but since taking out his own licence and building new premises in Kildare, his business has boomed.
“I put huge pressure on myself. I came over on the boat and every Irish person was on the boat. I told them all to back the two horses, I said they were the two best novice horses in Ireland, so at least I’m off the hook, partially. Or I would have had to put on a disguise going home if we’d got beat!
“We bought the farm five years ago and put the facilities and staff in place, and it’s only this year it’s beginning to bear fruit,” added Connell, who also decided to become an amateur jockey at 40, even riding a winner at the November meeting here.
O’Sullivan is now licking his lips in anticipation of Wednesday's opening race ride as they attempt one of the most audacious doubles this old place has ever seen.
“I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a kid. I suppose it is surreal and it won’t sink in. This year has been so good. I suppose it is hard to appreciate it and it is hard to be topped but I’m enjoying every minute of it.
“I was coming here with a good book of rides and to win the first one takes the pressure off. The horse is incredible and it is easy riding a horse like that with plenty of confidence. I’m very lucky to be on his back.”
Connell is already planning a crack at next year’s Arkle Chase for Marine Nationale saying: “I think we’ll come back here for the Arkle next year. Those are my initial thoughts at this period in time, but today is for enjoying today.”
“I enjoy training them about 150 percent more. I rode into the winner’s enclosure here twice at the November meeting, and winning as an owner pales into insignificance besides that.
“This is unreal because all year round I enjoy the process of getting out of the car in the morning and just being with the horses.
“I love being with the horses, going round the yard, going out on to the gallops, talking to the staff. This is the icing on the cake. Isource all these horses and have a staff of 11 people - they are exceptional, and I hope we are only just beginning the journey now.”
