Cork jockey Kilbrin's Daniel King completes Galway Plate Hurdle Double

Jockey Daniel King, who hails from Kilbrin in the barony of Duhallow, has enjoyed a remarkable week at the Galway Races.

This afternoon he landed the €275,000 Grade 3 Guinness Galway Hurdle aboard the Tong Martin trained Putapoundinthejar, to rubber-stamp a sensational 24 hours for the talented young Cork jockey.

King won the Tote Galway Plate on Wednesday, partnering the Willie Mullins-trained King Alexander, to a half a length success. 

King, who is a prodigious talent was again seen to great effect in Thursday's featured race. 

In a poignant twist of fate, Putapoundinthejar gave the late Michael O’Sullivan his final winner at Down Royal last year in a maiden hurdle.

This afternoon's winning trainer Tony Martin landed his fifth Galway hurdle today. 

Afterwards he waxed lyrical about the Cork jockey.

"As good a rider since the likes of Ruby Walsh." 

King was always well placed travelling well aboard the progressive six year old. 

He got a dream run entering the straight and edged clear up the famous Galway hill, to win by three and a quarter lengths from Thisistheway, with Gameball and Ragmans Corner completing the places.

King was overwhelmed yesterday after his iconic Plate success on King Alexander but was in control of his emotions post race today. 

He reflected on a monumental twenty four hours at the Galway Festival. 

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. He won well the last day in Bellewstown but it was a step up in grade.

"He jumped savage the whole way round, he took me into the race so easily and it was just a matter of getting a gap.

“He winged the last and the gap opened up lovely.” 

King paid tribute to the winning trainer with whom he's struck up a formidable partnership.

“I love riding Tony’s horses. I love the way he trains them and everything about it.” 

Daniel is the younger brother of Connor King and hails from Kilbrin in the barony of Duhallow. King has been equally adept on the flat as well as NH. 

The Cloughjordan trainer Denis Hogan gave the young Cork jockey his first-ever winner as a sixteen year-old on Malbas in Dundalk.

Prior to the heady highs of Galway this week - King's best moments on the NH scene came for his brother Connor landing Navan’s Grade 2 William Hill Bet Builder Ten Up Novice Chase in February aboard the JP McManus acquisition Oscars Brother. 

He'd been formerly owned by the King family’s Mak King Racing Syndicate, Oscars Brother had also won the similarly-graded Florida Pearl Chase last November. He was purchased by JP McManus before Christmas.

That Navan success was only Daniel's second ride for JP McManus. 

Daniel King’s burgeoning reputation has escalated rapidly in recent months. 

The 21-year-old from Kilbrin was also seen to great effect here on the heavily backed Frankie John on Tuesday evening. 

That success rather aptly came for trainer Denis Hogan who gave King his first ever winner.