Lee and Harnett notch winner-a-piece at Curragh on day both are crowned 2026 champions
ON TOP: 2026 Champion Flat Jockey Billy Lee and 2026 Champion Flat Apprentice Jockey Paddy Harnett with fellow jockeys during the presentation. Pic: Tom Maher/Inpho
Proud Limerick men Billy Lee and Paddy Harnett were crowned champions on the final day of the 2026 season at the Curragh and, appropriately, notched a winner-a-piece.
From Ballingarry, Lee (40), signed off a memorable season and registered his 99th win of the campaign when partnering the progressive, Willie Mullins-trained three-year-old Thread Of Gold to a smooth success in the listed Finale Stakes, the last race of the season.
The uneasy 2/1 favourite cruised into contention, edged ahead at the furlong-pole and forged clear to beat the Joseph O’Brien-trained pair Contortion and Mawhibah.
“He’s a good horse, with a touch of class, “ stated Lee, “We were confident enough today – it was just a case of how he’d handle the chopped-up ground.” Reflecting on his long-awaited breakthrough title, Lee admitted, “It’s nice having family and friends here and having the support of the lads (his weigh-room colleagues) when I was lifting the trophy. I’ll take some time off in the New Year and approach the new season with the same drive, hoping to add a few more Group 1’s and a classic.”
Earlier, Paddy Harnett (24), from Abbeyfeale, clinched the Apprentice title when guiding 4/9 favourite Choctaw Nation, so promising on his debut in Navan, to a clear-cut victory over promising newcomer Favour Royal in the opening two-year-old maiden, his 29th winner of the season and his second for Aidan O’Brien in four days.
Reacting to his championship success, Harnett declared, “It’s crazy, absolutely brilliant and having everyone from home here makes it even more special.” Commenting on Choctaw Nation, a son of Sea The Stars, he added, “He’s a very nice, straight-forward colt – he’s something that I’ve never ridden before. He got down to the three easily and, when I gave him a kick, he took off.”
Choctaw Nation sparked a double for Aidan O’Brien, completed when Amelia Earhart, dropping from Group 1 company, returned to winning ways in the Group 3 QuinnBet Loughbrown Stakes, just seven days after contesting the Prix Royal Oak at Saint-Cloud.
Ridden by Gavin Ryan, the 2/1 favourite swooped late to foil Abbotsford by a length and a quarter, prompting her rider to comment, “Aidan has been very good to me and I’m delighted to ride a good winner for him. It’s the first time I sat on her and it’s like riding a colt – she’s a big, strong girl. I was bit further back than planned, but she travelled really sweet and is big and tough.”
And there were closing day doubles for in-form Gary Carroll and apprentice Rory Mulligan.
Carroll struck on Danny Murphy’s course specialist Unique Journey, recording his first over seven furlongs, in the Ryans Cleaning Race and the Gavin Cromwell-trained even-money favourite Loosen And Limber in the Velo Coffee Maiden.
And apprentice Mulligan brought his seasonal tally to 20 thanks to an remarkable 1680/1 double on a pair of 40/1 shots, Alnofoor and Java Wood.
Out of luck with Ethical Diamond at the Breeders Cup but on the mark with Thread Of Gold at the Curragh, Willie Mullins also registered a fine double with Love Me Tender and Roc Dino in Cork.
Even-money favourite Love Me Tender, second leg of a double for owner J P McManus and his retained rider Harry Cobden, produced a flawless, front-running performance in the featured, Grade 3 Paddy Power Betting Shops Irish RBF Novice Chase, scooting home fifteen lengths clear of Frankie John.
The winning rider, successful earlier on Joseph O’Brien’s Cornelienne in the mares maiden hurdle, explained, “He’s small, but very brave and jumped well. He’s forward-going and the plan was to let him on - and he did what he had to do.
“He’s a nice horse, very straight-forward, and good ground is key to him. It’s hard to know how good he is.”
Earlier, Roc Dino cruised to an impressive eight lengths victory over Theflyingking in the listed Paddy Power ‘How Many Days ‘Til Christmas’ Irish EBF Novice Hurdle, Paul Townend’s mount mastering Too Hot To Trot at the second last before easing clear to beat Theflyingking by eight lengths.
“He had some nice runs last season, against good novices, and he’s putting it together,” said Townend, “He’s getting confidence form winning and I’d say he’s improved for that longer trip. He settled nicely and is a slick jumper, a good, fun horse who’s progressing nicely.”
Mullins and Townend were associated with 5/4 favourite and joint top-weight Fou De Toi in the marathon Paddy Power Cork Grand National.
But the five-year-old failed to confirm recent Gowran Park form with Quantum Quest, filling third spot behind Henry de Bromhead’s charge, who was wearing first-time blinkers.
Quantum Quest was partnered by JJ Slevin, who explained, “Fair play to Henry – the blinkers worked the oracle. He travelled kinder and jumped smoother, with the exception of one mistake that left him flat-footed.
“He’s a real stayer, a big grinder and doesn’t do anything in a hurry. I’m not sure where he’ll go – there’s a good staying programme across the water and that’s definitely an option.”
Earlier, Gordon Elliott followed-up his weekend haul in Down Royal when Marco Du Seuil (Jack Kennedy0, in the Robcour colours, justified 10/11 favouritism in the Paddy. Power From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast 4-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle.
