Fourteen years after making his point-to-point debut at Dromahane, Pat Collins has called time on a riding career which saw him ride over 100 winners between the flags.
The Castlemartyr native suffered a fractured vertebrae in a fall in the Adjacent maiden at Boulta last December, in what has proven to be his final ride in the pointing sphere, having announced his retirement ahead of the start of the new season.
That same Boulta card also supplied him with his 103rd and final victory in the pointing fields, 12 years after he first entered the winner’s enclosure at Skibbereen following the success of Smalltowntalk in March 2006.
In that intervening time, Collins was fortunate enough to partner many future smart performers, including the Scottish National and dual Becher Chase winner, Hello Bud, a horse he rode to victory in an Adjacent Hunt race at Tallanstown in April 2006 – just his second ever winner in points.
It was with Mooncoin operator Eoin Doyle that he struck up a particularly successful partnership, with the Kilkenny handler responsible for providing him with many of his most notable four-year-old maiden winners, including Thyestes Chase winner Champagne West, who he rode to victory at Loughanmore in 2012, and dual Grade 3 winner Village Vic, who was a Taylorstown winner for Collins.
Meanwhile, Marinero and Jetstream Jack, were some of the other notable winners that the pair enjoyed together.
No handler supplied him with as many winners as Terence O’Brien, someone who supported him right throughout his career, including at Liscarroll aboard Articulum, whilst he also rode the winner of the point-to-point bumper at Gowran Park in consecutive years for O’Brien, with Consharon Boy and Ministerforsport.
“Winning on the good horses was obviously great, but riding my 100th winner (at Inch) was the big highlight for me. That winner was for Richie Hennessy, who would be a great friend of mine, so that really added to it,” said Collins when asked to select some of the highlights from his riding career.
In more recent years, the rider has played a big part alongside his father Matt, in the triumphs that they have enjoyed with their training of point-to-pointers.
“We have had great success with Dower House Stables, so that will certainly keep me busy and the horses have been going well.
“Yellow Dockets was bought by Grech & Parkin and she won twice last season for Nicky Henderson, Wandrin Star won a six and up geldings at Carrigtwohill for us and has won two races for Kim Bailey.
“We got one away (Meyer Lansky) at Aintree for £105,000 and everything that we ran last year we got sold. Deputy’s Oscar won at Boulta in January and we sold her privately. She came out and won last week at Market Rasen, so it’s going well,” said Collins who will now combine his duties alongside his father in the yard, with their tillage and beef farm in Cork.
With another 13 horses in training for the new season, the name P.D. Collins may no longer appear on declaration boards outside the weight tent at point-to-point tracks around the country, however he certainly will remain a big player in the sport.
“I have always gone point-to-pointing, even when I was out injured and wasn’t riding, so I’ll still go racing and will probably go up to Castletown on Sunday for the start of the season.”
A full list of Pat’s 103 point-to-point winners can be viewed below.
|
Fixture Date |
Course |
Race Type |
Horse Name |
Handler |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
09/12/2018 |
Boulta |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
TAAFFES CASTLE |
Ian Andrew Power |
|
03/06/2018 |
Kinsale (2) |
4yo Geldings Maiden |
CASPERS COURT |
Sean Thomas Doyle |
|
01/04/2018 |
Quakerstown |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
IT'S FOR ALAN |
Terence O'Brien |
|
28/03/2018 |
Inch |
5yo Adjacent Maiden |
THE ALCHEMYST |
Joseph Hennessy |
|
03/12/2017 |
Ballindenisk |
5yo Mares Maiden |
AOIBHE'S BEAU |
Terence O'Brien |
|
12/04/2017 |
Inch |
4yo Mares Maiden |
COPPER GONE WEST |
Terence O'Brien |
|
12/04/2017 |
Inch |
5yo Adjacent Maiden |
BLUE MOUNTAIN BOY |
Terence O'Brien |
|
09/04/2017 |
Dromahane |
5&6yo Mares Maiden |
OSCAR MADNESS |
Terence O'Brien |
|
26/03/2017 |
Liscarroll |
6yo Geldings Maiden |
THE DAWN MAN |
Denis Ahern |
|
19/03/2017 |
Ballyragget |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
JOHNNY OCEAN |
Colin Motherway |
|
12/03/2017 |
Kilworth |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
OUTLAW JACK |
Paul O'Connell |
|
19/02/2017 |
Kildorrery |
5&6yo Mares Maiden |
MOMELLA |
Miss M. Harding |
|
29/01/2017 |
Ballyvodock |
6yo Geldings Maiden |
WANDRIN STAR |
M.P. Collins |
|
04/12/2016 |
Ballindenisk |
5yo Confined Maiden |
MINISTERFORSPORT |
Noel O'Neill |
|
05/06/2016 |
Kinsale (2) |
4yo Maiden |
COCO LIVE (FR) |
Sean Thomas Doyle |
|
05/06/2016 |
Kinsale (2) |
6yo Mares Maiden |
STRANGSMILL |
Ian Andrew Power |
|
08/05/2016 |
Ballindenisk |
4yo Maiden |
SEARCHING FOR GOLD |
Sean Thomas Doyle |
|
02/05/2016 |
Dawstown |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
CORONER'S REPORT |
Ian Andrew Power |
|
02/05/2016 |
Dawstown |
5yo Mares Maiden |
MARBLE MOLL |
Sean Thomas Doyle |
|
30/04/2016 |
Lisronagh |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
STATIC JACK |
Ellmarie Holden |
|
20/03/2016 |
Liscarroll |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
KILQUANE JACK |
Terence O'Brien |
|
20/03/2016 |
Liscarroll |
Winner Of One |
CARRAIG THUATHAIL |
Noel O'Neill |
|
07/02/2016 |
Tallow |
5&6yo Mares Maiden |
TAKE A TWIRL |
Terence O'Brien |
|
13/12/2015 |
Boulta |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
MIND BOGGLER |
M.P. Collins |
|
13/12/2015 |
Boulta |
5yo Adjacent Maiden |
CARRAIG THUATHAIL |
Noel O'Neill |
|
28/03/2015 |
Loughbrickland |
6yo Maiden |
STATE OF ORIGIN |
Lyle Andrew |
|
22/03/2015 |
Liscarroll |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
ARTICULUM |
Terence O'Brien |
|
15/03/2015 |
Ballyragget |
5yo Adjacent Maiden |
EASYTHINGSAREBEST |
Eoin Doyle |
|
08/03/2015 |
Lingstown |
6yo Maiden |
MOUNTAIN EAGLE |
Eoin Doyle |
|
01/03/2015 |
Lemonfield |
5yo Mares Maiden |
SHAKY GIFT |
Paul O'Connell |
|
15/02/2015 |
Cragmore |
Winner Of One |
MAI FITZS JACK |
Miss Mary Louise Hallahan |
|
14/02/2015 |
Kirkistown |
6yo Maiden |
SUNNY WEST |
Rodney Ian Arthur |
|
01/02/2015 |
Ballyvodock |
Winner Of One |
SKIP A BEAT KID |
J.P. Brennan |
|
04/01/2015 |
Templenacarriga |
7yo Maiden |
FOLLOW THE SWALLOW |
Denis Hayes |
|
30/12/2014 |
Dromahane |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
HES OUR VINNIE |
Terence O'Brien |
|
07/12/2014 |
Cregg |
4yo Maiden |
DOUBLE CAPTAIN |
Eoin Doyle |
|
30/11/2014 |
Ballindenisk |
5yo Confined Maiden |
INDIAN TEMPLE |
Paul O'Connell |
|
23/11/2014 |
Boulta |
4yo Geldings Maiden |
DR WALUIGI |
Eoin Doyle |
|
16/11/2014 |
Affane |
4yo Maiden |
JETSTREAM JACK |
Eoin Doyle |
|
20/04/2014 |
Ballydurn |
Winner Of One 4yo (Mdns Excl) |
SUPREME DANEHILL |
J.P. Brennan |
|
19/05/2013 |
Bartlemy |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
GEORGIE LAD |
Eoin Doyle |
|
19/05/2013 |
Bartlemy |
4yo Maiden |
DIDNTITELLYA |
Eoin Doyle |
|
31/03/2013 |
Ballydurn |
4yo Geldings Maiden |
MARINERO |
Eoin Doyle |
|
17/03/2013 |
Dromahane |
5&6yo Geldings Maiden |
WAYUPINTHESKY |
Dr Joseph O'Keeffe |
|
10/03/2013 |
Horse And Jockey |
5&6yo Geldings Maiden |
RIMMY CREEK |
S. Slevin |
|
24/02/2013 |
Bennettsbridge |
6yo Geldings Maiden |
LEANNA BAN |
Eoin Doyle |
|
13/01/2013 |
Killeagh |
5yo Mares Maiden |
DASHING LADY |
Donnchadh Doyle |
|
06/01/2013 |
Aghabullogue |
7yo Geldings Maiden |
IBETELLINGYOUALIE |
Terence O'Brien |
|
09/12/2012 |
Avaune |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
BOB FORD |
M.P. Sunderland |
|
11/11/2012 |
Ballinaboola |
Winner of Two (4yo ) Mdn Excl |
PLETTENBURG BAY |
P.J. Crowley |
|
11/11/2012 |
Ballinaboola |
4yo Maiden |
KILLOUGH KIN |
David M. O'Brien |
|
10/11/2012 |
Loughanmore |
4yo Maiden |
CHAMPAGNE WEST |
Eoin Doyle |
|
29/10/2012 |
Glenbane |
5&6yo Geldings Maiden |
LOUIS PHILLIPE |
Denis Hayes |
|
21/10/2012 |
Cregg |
4yo Maiden |
ISLAND CONFUSION |
Eoin Doyle |
|
13/10/2012 |
Maralin |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
CHANCE A GRAND |
Eoin Doyle |
|
29/09/2012 |
Rathcannon |
7yo Maiden |
PLETTENBURG BAY |
P.J. Crowley |
|
20/05/2012 |
Dromahane |
Mares Winner of One (mdns excl) |
BOTHAR NA MIAS |
Matthew P. Collins |
|
20/05/2012 |
Dromahane |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
ASH ROWE |
S. Slevin |
|
13/05/2012 |
Bartlemy |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
IFYOUTHINKSO |
Terence O'Brien |
|
07/05/2012 |
Dawstown |
5yo Mares Maiden |
BOTHAR NA MIAS |
Matthew P. Collins |
|
28/04/2012 |
Toomebridge |
6yo Geldings Maiden |
TULLAN STRAND |
Liam Joseph Clancy |
|
22/04/2012 |
Dromahane |
5&6yo Mares Maiden |
KILBRAGH LADY |
P.J. Colville |
|
01/04/2012 |
Ballynoe |
5,6&7yo Mares Maiden |
GO DEIMHIN |
Matthew P. Collins |
|
25/03/2012 |
Monksgrange |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
DAVY FROM MILAN |
Eoin Doyle |
|
18/03/2012 |
Lismore |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
CARHUE |
Terence O'Brien |
|
04/03/2012 |
Lemonfield |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
CLOUDY COPPER |
Donal Coffey |
|
26/02/2012 |
Bennettsbridge |
Open 4yo (Mdns Excl) |
COUNT SALAZAR |
Eoin Doyle |
|
12/02/2012 |
Askeaton |
Winner Of One 4yo (Mdns Excl) |
CAPTAIN CANADA |
Terence O'Brien |
|
29/01/2012 |
Carrigtwohill |
5yo Confined Maiden |
NO DEAL |
Donal Coffey |
|
22/01/2012 |
Dungarvan |
5yo Confined Maiden |
BHEAN AN GHLEANNA |
P.J. Crowley |
|
15/01/2012 |
Killeagh |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
CAPTAIN CANADA |
Terence O'Brien |
|
04/12/2011 |
Ballindenisk |
Winner of Two (4yo ) Mdn Excl |
COUNT SALAZAR |
Eoin Doyle |
|
06/11/2011 |
Milltown |
6yo Geldings Maiden |
COUNT SALAZAR |
Eoin Doyle |
|
08/10/2011 |
Taylorstown |
4yo Maiden |
VILLAGE VIC |
Eoin Doyle |
|
01/05/2011 |
Ballysteen |
5&6yo Mares Maiden |
SEE THE CLOUDS |
James William Hannon |
|
13/03/2011 |
Cloyne |
Winner Of One 4yo (Mdns Excl) |
FARRELLS FANCY |
Terence O'Brien |
|
06/03/2011 |
Kilworth |
6yo Geldings Maiden |
JASPER MASSINI |
Denis Hayes |
|
06/03/2011 |
Kilworth |
5yo Confined Maiden |
CHARLIE PAY |
Desmond Kenneally |
|
27/02/2011 |
Bennettsbridge |
6yo Geldings Maiden |
MOUNTAINOUS |
Eoin Doyle |
|
15/12/2010 |
Ballindenisk |
6yo Geldings Maiden |
GOTOYOURPLAY |
Michael J. Browne |
|
12/12/2010 |
Avaune |
Confined Maiden |
KLIPPER BREEZE |
Michael C. Griffin |
|
07/11/2010 |
Dromahane |
4yo Maiden |
VIADUCT JOEY |
Terence O'Brien |
|
03/05/2010 |
Dawstown |
4yo Maiden |
VIADUCT BUD |
Terence O'Brien |
|
03/05/2010 |
Dawstown |
5yo Mares Maiden |
CAILIN CEOL |
Michael C. Griffin |
|
18/04/2010 |
Dromahane |
Winner Of One 4yo (Mdns Excl) |
GURTACRUE |
Donal Coffey |
|
14/03/2010 |
Cloyne |
5yo Confined Maiden |
THE SQUATTER |
V. Clifford |
|
13/12/2009 |
Avaune |
Confined Maiden |
ROYAL CREW |
Terence O'Brien |
|
18/10/2009 |
Loughrea |
5yo Mares Maiden |
DEESHAN |
I. Madden |
|
09/05/2009 |
Athlacca |
7yo Mares Maiden |
PILOTS DREAM |
Martin Paul Fitzgerald |
|
12/04/2009 |
Ballydurn |
4yo Maiden |
GURTACRUE |
Donal Coffey |
|
15/03/2009 |
Cloyne |
5&6yo Geldings Maiden |
CASTLE ANSHAN |
Terence O'Brien |
|
01/03/2009 |
Lemonfield |
6&7yo Geldings Maiden |
DRALION |
Robert Donnelly |
|
01/03/2009 |
Lemonfield |
5yo Mares Maiden |
SHUIL NA DEISE |
G. Ducey |
|
14/12/2008 |
Avaune |
5&6yo Adjacent Maiden |
EVENING ECHO |
Matthew P. Collins |
|
09/11/2008 |
Kinsale (2) |
4yo Maiden |
FLORIDAHALL |
Michael C. Griffin |
|
26/03/2008 |
Inch |
Confined Maiden |
BALLYSASSIAN |
Terence O'Brien |
|
04/06/2007 |
Kinsale |
5yo Geldings Maiden |
KIRBYS GLEN |
|
|
11/04/2007 |
Inch |
Confined Maiden |
BEALAHA CABIN |
|
|
18/03/2007 |
Belclare |
4yo Maiden |
SHOULDERTOSHOULDER |
|
|
11/02/2007 |
Tallow |
Confined Maiden |
ADROPANDABOTTLE |
|
|
23/04/2006 |
Ballysteen |
5,6&7yo Geldings Maiden |
LOSE THE ATTITUDE |
|
|
09/04/2006 |
Tallanstown |
Adjacent Hunt Race |
HELLO BUD |
|
|
05/03/2006 |
Skibbereen |
5yo Mares Maiden |
SMALLTOWNTALK |
|
