On a weekend where the 2015 Irish flat season came to a close, the exciting Blue De Vega gets the plaudits for his victory in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown last Saturday.

A first Group 3 winner for young trainer Michael O’Callaghan, who has made a notable impression from the very outset of the campaign, Blue De Vega was delivering on the immense promise of his maiden success at Naas in September. Far tougher tests lie in wait for this Lope De Vega colt in the first part of next season, but he showed he is a horse of major potential and there will certainly be more good prizes to be won with this Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale graduate.

Aidan O’Brien picked up the trainer’s championship for the 17th year in succession. The likes of the dual 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles and the brilliant juveniles Air Force Blue and Minding were among those to star for the Ballydoyle trainer.

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Pat Smullen won his eighth champion jockey title, reaching the landmark total of 100 winners two days prior to the conclusion of the campaign. Connor King picked up the apprentice title for the second time. He claimed this accolade in 2013, before giving best to Colin Keane in last year’s championship.

The last Group 1 of the season in England or Ireland, the Racing Post Trophy attracted a three-strong challenge by Aidan O’Brien, but the trio had to give best to the relatively unconsidered 33/1 chance, Marcel.

As the National Hunt season now gets into full gear, former Cheltenham winner Silver Concorde took centre stage at Leopardstown on Sunday when bagging the €100,000 November Handicap.

Curragh season

The year 2015 marked another positive one for the Co Kildare racecourse, with increases in both attendance and betting figures for the season.

Attendances figures, compared with 2014, increased by 6.5% to 109,960 in 2015, while the total betting on-course at the Curragh in 2015 was €14,556,628, compared with €11,219,935 the previous year. Champion jockey Pat Smullen was the most successful course jockey with 21 winners and Aidan O’Brien’s tally for the 2015 season at the Curragh was 27 winners and €2,390,740 in prize money.

Curragh Racecourse general manager Paul Hensey said: “It has been an excellent year both on and off the track, with increased attendances (+6.5%) and betting figures (+30%), while the majority of our key races have rated well above the required parameter and a number are in line for an upgrade in the not too distant future.

“The development plans are progressing very well and we will continue to use our current facilities for the 2016 season,” he added.

In total, 1,580 horses ran throughout the season at the Curragh for prize money of €9,649,750 across 141 races.