Teenage dream comes true for Stone-Walsh

Malaysian provided Conor Stone-Walsh with his breakthrough success, as she just prevailed in the Story Of Dundalk Stadium Book Buy Online Apprentice Handicap.

The 16 year old Co Wexford native, who had his first ride at Gowran in May, is based with Joseph O'Brien and is due to sit his Leaving Certificate next year. .

Previously trained by Jessica Harrington and James McAuley, the chestnut victor had her first start for Charlie Moore over the course and distance in October.

A close-up fourth on her next outing, she was subsequently disqualified after her rider, Dylan Browne McMonagle, weighed-in light.

Sent off a 9/2 joint-favourite this evening, the Pride Of Dubai four-year-old just prevailed in what was a bunch finish, with a nose the margin of victory.

Top-weight Hurricane Helen (20/1) was the one just denied, while Capla Knight (9/1) and Havana Pearl (7/1) were a head and a neck away in third and fourth respectively.

The well-backed Bronze River (20s early) was the other joint-favourite and he finished a disappointing tenth.

"Relief! I'm delighted now, I can't believe it. It has been a while coming, but look we have it now and I'm delighted," the winning rider commented.

"I got my licence at the end of May and I'm in Joseph's at the weekends. Thankfully school are good enough to leave me off on Friday's so I'm in Joseph's on Fridays as well. It's probably most important to get the education first but I'm delighted to get this done today anyway.

"She was quite keen, more than I wanted her to be. I knew I couldn't get there too soon with this filly but thankfully she kept on well for me anyway.

"I had a good conversation with Dylan (Browne McMonagle) last night and a lot of thanks goes to him. He explained everything to me.

"I didn't think I had won but when we were halfway down the back I thought maybe I am up. I didn't want to be too confident because I didn't want to look like a clown!

"I still can't believe it and it will probably take a while to sink in.

"My uncle (Benny Walsh) trains point-to-pointers and I done a lot with him when I was younger. I did a lot of pony racing and rode nearly 90 winners. It all stood to me today.

"I done a lot of schooling when I was younger but I'll stay on the Flat for as long as I can and I'll see how it goes after that."

"Joseph is great to us all. We learn loads down there and the likes of Dec (McDonogh), Shane (Crosse) and Mikey (Sheehy) are great to learn from."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham