MATT O'CONNOR was the toast of the racing world on a national scale last week following his victory on 'Kimberlite King' at Fairyhouse on Wednesday last.

Many readers will remember the awful injuries sustained by the young Duncormick man at Thurles in late March of 2009, with many involved in racing hoping that they would not end a very fine career. But O'Connor is a really tenacious battler and, following a period in a coma and difficult months of recuperation and rehabilitation, he returned to the saddle, having got the green light from the medical personnel in October.

Since then, a limited number of rides have seen him finish second on ten occasions, with O'Connor getting back into the winning groove in this race. Quick to thank everyone involved in his recovery, from family and medical people to his employers, O'Connor should really take a bow himself as many others would have opted out long and ever ago.

With this monkey finally off his back, O'Connor can now concentrate on the future in a sport that he loves and one that he has real talent in.

BREEDING FACTS

According to recent statistics, 15% of foals born in any year are on the ground in February (12%) and January (3%) of the year, at least if 2009 figures are anything to go by.

This information, compiled by Weatherbys, shows 21% of foals born in March, with 33% born in April and 24% in May. This essentially shows that the covering season begins in February of any year and finishes in June, with 93% of all foals born by May.

In addition to these figures, the foal statistics for 2009 show that 78% of registered foals are officially marked as bay in colour, with 14.5% chestnut horses and the balance a mixture of brown, grey, black or other. This might go some way to refuting the nonsense that chestnut-coloured horses don't win as many races as bay horses! How could they, there are five times more bay horses born, so how can chestnut horses win as many races as them?

Do you get it, this bay/chestnut divide is an illogical nonsense and no rational person could believe it! So, buy a chestnut horse if you like its breeding and confirmation, use a chestnut-coloured stallion if it's the right one for your mare, but don't be a believer in gobbledegook!

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Alain Cawley is currently on the sidelines due to injury, so Paul Nolan gave the leg up to Robert Power on 'Moskova' at Fairyhouse on Tuesday last. This versatile mare, a seven-year-old by 'Montjeu', seems more than capable of mixing it over hurdles or fences and took this ¤14k race comfortably at 4/1. This mare has possible targets at Cheltenham or Fairyhouse on her future agenda.

Another county winner came at Thurles on Friday, where Michael Cullen saddled the eight-year-old 'Glacial Storm' mare, 'Would You Do That', to win the mares beginners chase over three miles. Drifting in the market, the Seán Flanagan-ridden mare won at 14/1 to even surprise Cullen, according to reports.

BETWEEN THE FLAGS

With the season back in full swing nationally, local competitors travelled to every corner in search of a winner. Competition at every angle was very fierce, however, with only two winners to report at the three meetings on the second-last weekend of February.

These were recorded up in the north of Ireland, with Michael Fogarty opening proceedings when winning on 'Float My Boat' for Seymour Crawford. This four-year-old son of 'Beat All' was more than a little lucky to take this four-runner race, as two of the opposition, including the clear leader, 'Profit Margin', fell at the last fence.

The other local winner came in the shape of 'Zagman' for Colin Bowe and Barry O'Neill, with the five-year-old son of 'Zagreb' quickening clear to win. Running in the colours of Jeremy English, this good horse won this second division on the five-year-old maiden stylishly.

The next local meeting will be the springtime Killinick Harriers fixture at Lingstown on March 14. With a winners' race opening proceedings, the banks course will be used for the open lightweight, giving everyone an opportunity to see the new fences put in place by the local hunt committee.

As a curtain-raiser for the following week's Cheltenham Festival, this fixture gives ample opportunity to generate a few extra euro to invest on your fancy in the big races.