Last horse the late Michael O'Sullivan won on wins at Punchestown
Britain's newly-crowned champion jockey Sean Bowen was at his brilliant best as he steered the last horse that the late Michael O'Sullivan won on, Putapoundinthejar, to victory in the opening race on day three of the Punchestown Festival.
Michael O'Sullivan was seriously injured in a fall at Thurles on February 6th, and passed away 10 days later just five days before his 25th Birthday. The 24-year-old had been riding Wee Charlie for trainer Gerard O'Leary and was one of three fallers at the final fence on that day.
The young jockey's passing sent shockwaves through the racing world, with poignant scenes at the likes of Cheltenham and Aintree as the Cork native was remembered.
Three weeks before his death, O'Sullivan had ridden Putapoundinthejar to victory at Down Royal on January 21st.
Today, 27-year-old Bowen saddled the Tony Martin trained star and produced another power-packed ride on the 17-2 shot in the Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle.
Battle Of Ridgeway (50-1) was clear of the chasing pack on the run to the final flight, but Bowen conjured a late charge out of Putapoundinthejar, who got up to score by half a length.
Bowen, who since Saturday has enjoyed his stag party in Tenerife, said: 'He did well to win as he didn't jump well at all. He got into a rhythm from halfway and did well to pick up the leader.
'I had a good clear run down to the last. He winged the last and picked up well from the back of it.
'It's good ground and he enjoyed that. He will have learned loads today.'
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