Nothing is ever taken for granted in the racing environment, such is the fragility and nature of the beast

Striding out for the first ride of the year on “The Westener Boy” on New year’s day 2012, the long standing record of 72 winners in a calendar year held by Billy Parkinson and hailing back to 1915, was a record for unmitigated admiration, without once considering there was a chance to emulate

Halfway through the calendar year and registering 31 winners, the record was still a monumental feat to surmount, but June, July and August proved to be the catalyst of an exceedingly special year with 24 winners.

Standing on 55 winners, the thought of the record was now solidified as a possibility and not just a dream. But dreams are often shattered, and with several race meeting abandoned due to the most adverse weather in years, the next three months (Sept, Oct and November) only amalgamated eight hard fought winners to take the tally to 63. Every winner was vital, and having lost two races by a short head during the calendar year it would have made you hear the immortal words “what if”

December’s rides sprung into life quicker than the habitual snowdrops, and Patrick had the chance to equal the long-standing record at Navan on the 16th, in the Irish Form Book ‘Future Champions’ Flat Race (Grade 2). Starting off as the second favourite on board Union Dues, Patrick settled in fourth and made his move in the final furlong, leaving the odds on favourite in his wake. The record had now been equalled, and the smiles in the winners enclosure compounded this most historic moment

Again, the weather put paid to Patrick having the chance of breaking the record, as Downpatrick was abandoned due to flooding on the 20th of December. A nervy couple of days ensued, and the news that Navan on the 22nd failed an 8am inspection didn’t inspire confidence for the elusive winning ride

Despite the weather, Thurles on the 23rd went ahead but the conditions underfoot had deteriorated dramatically from the first race and Patrick’s only ride on Goldboy couldn’t cope with the going.

Day four (29th Dec) at Leopardstown festival arrived and Patrick was booked for three rides

Would ZUZKA deliver a late Christmas present and provide the magical 73rd winner to rewrite the history books? many people would have cast it aside as fictional, as how could a syndicate in its infancy continually provide such quality horses and enter into the annals of time

2.35pm and the white flag is raised. Bobbina went off at a rate of knots and stole a near 20L lead on the pack. Patrick sat quietly in a great rhythm and waited patiently for Bobbina to come back to the field. Two furlongs out Patrick made his move on Zuzka, they swung into the straight and soon had a 5L lead after jumping the last and galloped into the history books

A win onboard Outlander on the 29th of December nudged the final tally of winners for the calendar year to 74