Red letter day for Van Buuren on Patience

No Patience sprang a 25/1 surprise to give Kyanna Van Buuren a first racecourse success in the Tulsk Apprentice Handicap at Roscommon.

The John McConnell-trained gelding was soon prominent from his low draw and was in front after a couple of furlongs.

Van Buuren asked her mount for an effort passing the two pole and kept the four-year-old going in the closing stages to record a convincing two-and-a-quarter length win over 3/1 favourite Clear Quartz

The winner was recording his fourth career victory and his first since joining his current yard, having been picked up from a Dundalk claimer in February.

The winning rider said afterwards:- “Everything went perfect. He travelled well and got there easily enough. I’m just delighted to ride a winner and thanks to Siobhan (Rutledge) for getting suspended!

“I’m from Holland and not from a horse racing background. I moved over here when I was young.

“I was in college but my course got changed and my sister was working in Gavin Cromwell’s yard so I went in for a few weekends and I was advised to take out a licence as I’m light.

“I just did it for a bit of fun and rode out in John’s a few evenings and decided to give it a go.”

John McConnell added:- “I’m delighted for the owners and Kyanna. It’s obviously her first winner and she’s been working for me the last year.

“It’s tough to get people going in this game so hopefully that might get her started. She can ride and just needs the experience.

“The horse was got cheap in a claimer. He was drawn on the wrong side the last day in the Curragh and I thought he was a big price today but didn’t think he was going to win like that.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)