First ride a winning one for Keith Moriarty

Keith Moriarty (16) recorded his maiden success on his first ever ride as he partnered Calm Bay to victory in the Follow Navan Racecourse On Twitter Apprentice Handicap.

From Killorglin in Co Kerry, Moriarty is based with Tommy Stack and he has been riding on the pony racing circuit for more than five years.

Calm Bay, who is trained by Harry Rogers, was sent off a 16/1 chance this afternoon with his last success coming at Dundalk way back in July of 2012.

The eight-year-old son of Medecis, who was once rated 94, raced today off a career low mark of 51 today, and he carried just seven stone eleven here with Moriarty’s ten pound claim.

Drawn out widest of all in stall fifteen the bay gelding broke smartly and made all.

He was ridden over a furlong out and he kept on well from there, scoring comfortably by two lengths at the line. Kiss The Stars who was sent off the 4/1 favourite, kept on to take second under Colin Keane for Tom McCourt while Moonbi Creek was just behind in third under Ray Dawson for Michael Mulvany at 13/2.

Harry Rogers, who was recording his second winner of the week, said afterwards: "He is a good young lad and he did what he was told.

"I couldn’t get a jockey for this horse and Keith’s dad was on the phone to me first and then Keith was on the phone every day to get the ride.

"It is great to see someone get a chance and I’ll used him again.

"The horse was down in the weights and hopefully he will go to Bellewstown now."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards interviewed I.T. Queally, rider of Too Many Diamonds concerning his use of the whip in this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(b), in that he continued to use the whip when his chance of winning or being placed had gone and having considered his record, suspended him for two race days.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham