Seizing his moment: how Darragh O'Keeffe stepped out of Rachael Blackmore's shadow to become the standout rider of the season

While Sean Bowen is accumulating plaudits in Britain with some outstanding rides, the standout jockey of the Irish jumps season has been Darragh O'Keeffe, who is thriving as number one rider for Henry de Bromhead.

As the understudy to Rachael Blackmore at the Knockeen stable, O'Keeffe had been bubbling under the surface since his perfectly-timed effort on A Plus Tard in the 2020 Savills Chase, which was his first Grade 1 win on his first ride for De Bromhead. Indeed, it was his only winner for him that season.

That wasn't the onset of a whirlwind, but O'Keeffe has steadily become more polished and tactically astute each season, and really began to flourish as back-up to Blackmore in her final campaign. His career trajectory has now seen him assume one of the top jobs in Ireland at a time when he's ready to devour it.