History is made

Yesterday we went to Aintree to see Big Bucks attempt to break the record of consecutive wins by a British race horse. This record has stood for 60+ years.

He duly obliged, winning his 17th race in a row. I was lucky enough to be level with the finishing line on the roof, and then forgot to alter my camera to get pin sharp focus on the horse!! Well, I can't change that, but the shot is ok.

You will have gathered that this is a sport that I love, so to see this horse in a century achieve this is one of the highlights of my life.

Well done Big Bucks, Ruby Walsh, Paul Nicholls and the Stewart family. I cannot ever see this record being beaten, and I expect Big Bucks to extend the record by several more races.

I will post a few more of my racing and crowd shots over the next few days, and then from a new course on sunday.

[Alex Bell]

Great personal capture Sean - well done! I feel vicariously triumphant as a result of reading your heartfelt description :)

[Sean O'Neill]

Thanks Alex, I am thrilled with what you have written. Sometimes we post photos that hit the spot with people, flowers, animals, sunsets, macros. Sometimes photos are far more personal to us and don't receive as many comments because they aren't as interesting to others. This is one of the latter, so it means so much to me that you have taken the time to say what you've said. Thank you. It is one of the best comments I have ever had.

[Leslie]

Love when history happens and you are there. There is soooo much in this picture. The horse and jockey are the only thing moving and I think that adds to the picture. Are those ducks in front of him? I think catching the three photographers in it is great too. But imagining the excitement and noise as it's happening a getting this shot is the most amazing thing. With all that in mind .....fav for me

[Sean O'Neill]

@lesip Thanks Leslie, and especially for the Fav. It is enough for me that it is one of the best moments of my life, so to get such great comments and a Fav is definitely the cherry on top of the cake! The "ducks" are cameras with remote control set, to get a great pov shot. I have so many others from yesterday, enough probably for the rest of my year!!! Some of the fashion was incredible, I will post some more tonight as I am away all weekend. I have been at the course for about 12 of his 17 wins including 6 of the last 7, and hope to be so for more in the future. I feel privileged to have such a deep affection for the sport. Thanks again, you are very kind.

[Lisa]

Wow great shot, I heard big bucks, had big bucks on him!

[Jen Hudson]

Nice capture of the finish. Nice that you were able to be there to see this.

[Sean O'Neill]

@lizzy_lu123 @jennywren Thanks both. Jen, I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

[Sandie Reardon]

You're too hard on yourself, Sean. This is a very nice capture of that record-breaking event.

[Sean O'Neill]

@sandier Thank you Sandie. I have always been frustrated by my errors!! Thank you all the same, I am appreciative of your sentiment.

[Zuzana]

Wow great shot! And to win 17 races in a row, that's unbelievable!!!

[Debbie Orlando]

That grass is certainly green and lush! Great capture of the horse and jockey in action, Sean.

[Simon]

Awesome action shot, i need to start doing these kind of shots

[Sean O'Neill]

@zuzana @debsphotos @simon0128 Thank you all. Simon, I love racing, you could do a whole 365 from racing. In fact that has given me an idea.....

[Valerie]

So exciting to have been there Big Bucks is fantastic and congrats to Ruby Walsh too. You were so lucky to be there Sean and to get that shot in all th excitement was truly brilliant.