Derek O'Connor ends 23-year wait with Galway win on Comfort Zone

“It’s one of those prestigious races for amateurs, a lovely, lovely race to win but, like Mayo, it’s not simple to win," said O'Connor

23 years after winning the Connacht Hotel Amateur Handicap on Rapid Deployment, Derek O'Connor won it again on Comfort Zone. Pic: Healy Racing Photo

Mon, 27 Jul, 2026 - 20:36

John Ryan

Twenty-three years after winning the race on Rapid Deployment, local hero Derek O’Connor bagged a second Connacht Hotel Amateur Handicap when guiding Comfort Zone to victory for JP McManus and Joseph O’Brien in last night’s opening-day feature in Galway.

The 18/1 shot travelled sweetly throughout, quickened to take command off the home turn and stayed on to beat top-weight Holy See (40/1) by three-quarters of a length, with 2023 winner Teed Up a close third and Eagle Fang (stable companion of the runner-up) fourth.