Emotional scenes as horse bought by mates of late Michael O’Sullivan wins

"It's huge. It's dad's first winner."

There were emotional scenes at Leopardstown on Wednesday, as a horse owned by friends of the late Michael O'Sullivan won the last race on the card at the student day in Dublin.

O'Sullivan died last February after falling off his horse during a race at Thurles.

Friends of his decided to buy a horse, Harbanaker, in his memory, and the 15/2 shot was a fitting victor in the 1m 1f O'Driscolls Irish Whiskey Handicap, ridden by Joe Sheridan.

Following the race, one of the owners, Ben Harvey, who is the son of Harbanaker's trainer, Willie, spoke to Racing TV.

He said: "It's huge. It's dad's first winner.

"We put this syndicate of lads together after Michael O'Sullivan died, he was our best friend.

"Everyone was in my house one evening and this horse came up for sale and I said 'lads will we throw in a few quid, and it will keep us together, that was the idea, for days out. Not really expecting to go and win.

"It's a little bit emotional because you would love if Mick was here with us, but it's all in memory of Mick, and great that he's won, and he's definitely looking down on us today."