Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle
Dylan Browne McMonagle has been enjoying huge success outside of Ireland this month and that continued yesterday with the Donegal rider bagging a big-race double in France.
McMonagle has announced himself on the European stage in recent weeks with a Group Two success aboard the Michael O’Callaghan-trained Black Forza at Glorious Goodwood at the start of the month followed up by his second Group One success last weekend.
The 21-year-old scored aboard the Joseph O’Brien-trained Al Riffa (3/5 favourite) in last Sunday’s Group One Grosser Preis von Berlin in Hoppegarten and he continued a whirlwind month in Deauville yesterday.
McMonagle had two rides at the Normandy track and both proved victorious as he landed a Listed prize for two-year-olds when giving Apples And Bananas (2/1 favourite) a front-running ride for his boss O’Brien.
Things got even better for the Letterkenny native later in the meeting as he teamed up with British trainer Ollie Sangster as Simmering (7/5 favourite) stamped her class all over the Group Two Prix du Calvados as McMonagle’s mount came home three lengths to the good.
“It was a lovely ride and I know Dylan from when I did my stint at Joseph’s (O’Brien). He’s a very nice rider, rides in a good style and kept it simple, which was always the plan,” Sangster said.
McMonagle will be out to add to his French tally when partnering O’Brien’s American Sonja in today’s Group One Prix Jean Romanet (1.33) at Deauville, a race where the Kilkrnny trainer also saddles Maxux with Epsom Derby-winning rider Mickael Barzalona in the plate.
There will be other Irish interest at the meeting as Joseph’s father Aidan sends Whistlejacket, partnered by Ryan Moore, into action for the Group One Prix Morny (2.50) while Jessica Harrington saddles Naas Group Three winner Sea The Boss, under Shane Foley, in the Group Two Prix Alec Head (3.25).