- More
New jockey for Marine Nationale after Barry Connell and Michael O'Sullivan split following disagreement
Barry Connell and stable jockey Michael O'Sullivan have parted ways in a shock split, with Sean Flanagan set to take over on star chaser Marine Nationale for the first time.
O'Sullivan and Connell have enjoyed plenty of success together since first teaming up in 2021, including three Grade 1 wins in the 2022-23 season, most notably when Marine Nationale surged past Facile Vega to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Smart novice hurdler Good Land was another ace for the partnership, but the pair have gone their separate ways. Flanagan will take the bulk of the rides for the stable this season, with amateur jockey Finny Maguire also set to take a more prominent role for the operation.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inIreland
Last updated
- 'It won't be easy giving a mare like her 7lb' - Lossiemouth v Teahupoo is officially on
- Fastorslow could be added to wide-open King George after Willie Mullins withdrawals cause ante-post shake-up
- Lossiemouth set for big clash with Teahupoo in Hatton's Grace Hurdle as only four confirmed for Grade 1 on Sunday
- 'He could be a name to remember' - Willie Mullins dark horse set for Tramore debut in race trainer won with Gaelic Warrior
- John Durkan second might have the tools to dethrone Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown - five takeaways from Punchestown
- 'It won't be easy giving a mare like her 7lb' - Lossiemouth v Teahupoo is officially on
- Fastorslow could be added to wide-open King George after Willie Mullins withdrawals cause ante-post shake-up
- Lossiemouth set for big clash with Teahupoo in Hatton's Grace Hurdle as only four confirmed for Grade 1 on Sunday
- 'He could be a name to remember' - Willie Mullins dark horse set for Tramore debut in race trainer won with Gaelic Warrior
- John Durkan second might have the tools to dethrone Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown - five takeaways from Punchestown