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Barry O'Neill is a great competitor but 700 wins is down to a twist of fate

Barry O'Neill celebrates his 700th career success with Some Man's trainer David Christie at Ballindenisk
Barry O'Neill celebrates his 700th career success with Some Man's trainer David Christie at BallindeniskCredit: Healy Racing

Last Sunday Barry O'Neill reached another big milestone in his career when riding his 700th point-to-point winner on Some Man for David Christie in the Open at Ballindenisk.

Barry's achievement reminded me of something I've often thought about in recent years: how fortunate riders such as Barry and Jamie Codd and I have been to experience the modern world of Irish point-to-pointing.

When I rode my first winner around 20 years ago an era had just come to an end with the retirement of Enda Bolger. He rode 413 point-to-point winners, breaking the record of 401 set by Willie Rooney during a career that lasted around 50 years.

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