Exciting times ahead after staggering first season

Joseph O'Brien has quickly established himself as a top dual-purpose trainer in Ireland. The 24-year-old, who was granted his trainers' licence in June 2016, has already enjoyed many memorable days in his new role. The undoubted highlight over jumps came earlier this season when Tigris River landed the ultra-competitive Galway Hurdle for legendary owner and huge supporter of the yard JP McManus.

O'Brien ended last season with 38 winners over jumps, a staggering total for someone in their first official season. Indeed, that tally reads even better given he was dealing mostly with juveniles and young bumper horses, most of which are back bigger and stronger and ready to make an impact for the yard this term.

He describes his current batch of horses for the winter as "very exciting" and with horses like Edwulf, Le Richebourg, Tigris River and Ivanovich Gorbatov part of his ever-expanding jumps team, few would disagree.