RACING fans were all left saying the same thing after a jockey’s ‘obscene’ ride led to an incredible finish at Cork.
Michael O’Sullivan showed nerves of steel with his daring route up the inside on 7-1 Meetingofthewaters.
What a finish this is at @corkracecourse!!
A week on from Grade One glory aboard Marine Nationale, @Michael_OSull has produced an obscene ride aboard Meetingofthewaters to land the @BarOneRacing Handicap Hurdle pic.twitter.com/8WRPO6HfpX
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 11, 2022
O’Sullivan, in the blue and green silks, looked to be held in third with 50 yards of the race to go
But he got his horse up in the very last stride thanks to a breathtaking ride on the far side
The 5lb claimer timed his run to perfection to nut Gold Cup-winning jockey Jack Kennedy right on the line in a Sunday thriller.
The margin of victory between O’Sullivan’s Meetingofthewaters – trained by his uncle Eugene – and Kennedy’s 33-1 mount Benz was officially a nose.
It looked even closer to the naked eye, with some punters wondering how judges were able to tell them apart.
But tell them apart they did, with victory in the 2m4f hurdle worth just shy of £6,000 to connections.
Not only was it the thrilling finish which floored punters – but also O’Sullivan’s daredevil ride.
Travelling strongly in third after the second last, O’Sullivan went for broke on Meetingofthewaters.
The five-year-old gelding didn’t look to pick up immediately with Benz and leader Krabat appearing the two most likely to win.
Meetingofthewaters was still half a length down with 50 yards to go but found a burst of speed tight up against the rail.
The Racing TV commentators struggled to separate the three – before Meetingofthewaters was named winner in dramatic circumstances.
And punters were quick to praise O’Sullivan for his skill in the saddle.
One comment read: “A week on from Grade One glory aboard Marine Nationale, @Michael_OSull has produced an obscene ride aboard Meetingofthewaters to land the @BarOneRacing Handicap Hurdle.”
One racing fan said: “Unbelievable finish Michael, great ride and willing partner, well done!”
Another wrote: “Michael O Sullivan truly man of the moment I’d follow him anywhere.”
A fellow Twitter user commented: “Top class he has all the potential to be a be a star in the future.”
Racing TV host Johnny Ward said: “Look at that for a finish! That’s as good a finish as you’ll see all year.”
While O’Sullivan himself wrote: “Delighted to get a winner for my family at our local track!”
The amazing ride was another moment of magic for the brilliant O’Sullivan
