101 not out! History made as Keane races to fastest-ever championship century

Colin Keane created history at his local track as a sun-kissed Navan was the scene of the fastest ever century in the Irish Flat jockeys' championship – and he even managed to add a cherry on top in the finale to make it 101 winners for the campaign.

The defending champion already has a third title safely secured and, now that his fourth championship century has been ticked off thanks to Barretta in the mile maiden, he can set his sights on chasing Joseph O'Brien's all-time record of 126 winners in a single season. Paddy Power make him just 1-5 to achieve the feat.

O'Brien did not hit 100 winners in the jockeys' championship until September 7 during his record-breaking 2013 season when Australia beat Free Eagle in a Leopardstown Group 3, so Keane is ten days ahead in that particular quest, and he edged even closer to O'Brien's total when taking the concluding 1m6f handicap on 9-2 joint-favourite Dollar Value for Tom McCourt.

Speaking about the fastest-ever century, Keane said: "It's a brilliant feeling and the year has been going great. To hit a hundred in a full season is hard enough, so to do it so quick is unbelievable really.

The champion jockey added: "It makes it that little bit extra special that it's for Ger [Lyons] and it means he's only one off a thousand winners. Hopefully we'll get that one ticked off soon for him."

When asked why the winners have been coming thicker and faster this season, Keane replied: "Ger has got such a lovely bunch of horses, the connection with Mr [Dermot] Weld has helped and I'm coming in for lots of spare rides. The long and short of it is that I'm riding for very good people and I've got a very good agent."

Now Keane's attention turns to trying to break another record, and the jockey joked: "There's only one target! I won't be too greedy – 127 winners will do me just fine."

Close call

There was no finish anywhere on Saturday more exciting than the opening fillies' maiden, that's for sure.

A short head, a short head and a head was all that separated the first four and, as the quartet crossed the line, not many racegoers thought Eriskay was up. But up he was to give Dermot Weld a 33rd winner of the season and Oisin Orr a 23rd.

"I can't ever remember four horses being involved in a photo-finish in any race I've called anyway," said commentator Peter O'Hehir.

Weld was thrilled to hear Eriskay get the verdict and was full of praise for her afterwards. He said: "She's a gorgeous home-bred filly and is the first foal out of a mare from a nice family we have. It's a nice start. We'll have a crack at a Listed or Group race. She showed the speed to win but ideally seven furlongs would be her trip."

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