Bright N Shine (right) © Photo Healy Racing
Robyn Donaghue-Leahy continues to impress and the Cobh native recorded her sixth win of the season when the Terence O'Brien-trained Bright N Shine (6/1) claimed the Children's Heartbeat Trust Apprentice Handicap.
A winner on Dundalk's all-weather surface last November, the Fulbright gelding tracked the leaders and made her challenge once rounding the elbow.
Driven to the front inside the final 150 yards, Jonathan and Jason O'Callaghan's four-year-old scored by a length-and-a-half from Tartaraghan
"I don't think we went overly quick and I felt we were getting racing very far out," said the winning rider.
"The lads had told me beforehand that this lad had a turn of foot and to count to three, count to four. I counted to seven, and seven again!
"He's very versatile trip-wise - he would go a strong mile, a mile and a-half, he has shown it up in Dundalk. Good ground is the key to him.
"I rode out for Terence in my first job, I was there for five or six years. I only left to go and get my licence and he had no Flat horses at the time. He put me up on my first racehorse and he taught me plenty when there was a lot to learn, so I can't thank him enough.
"I went to Terence's for a week's work experience and I'd go back on weekends after that.
"I have plenty of learning to do and plenty of tidying up to do, but I'm delighted to get the ball rolling and for it to keep going."
Quotes from Michael Graham
