Oisin Enright© Photo Healy Racing
Oisin Enright, a recent graduate from RACE, enjoyed a dream first racecourse ride when Thaleeq surged home in the Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital Derek O'Sullivan Memorial Apprentice Handicap over a mile at the Curragh.
He came from off the pace and switched the 20/1 shot right a furlong and a half down as the pair pursued front-running Heer At Dawn who was beginning to wander.
Thaleeq availed of a lovely seam through to lead at the furlong pole and put the race away in emphatic fashion in the closing stages.
He raced clear to oblige by two lengths from Wayne R Walker (15/2). Aristovic (8/1) and Cleveleys (9/1) finished third and fourth respectively.
Dermot Weld said: “He rides well and that's why I put him up here at the Curragh. He's just 17 (from Limerick), but he's talented and I had a lot of confidence that if the horse was good enough he'd be good enough.
“I told him to take his time on him, ride a very patient race on him and get him to relax. The last time he ran in an apprentice race he ran a bit keen.
“He dropped him out and rode very cool. I said to him there will be a wall of horses in front of you but don't worry, just get your horse balanced and take it from there.
“He's a boy with a future, I wasn't surprised with the ride but I was hopeful for the horse.
“Jumping hurdles has sweetened him up. Darragh O'Keeffe rode him last time and wanted me to run him in Tramore tomorrow, as he thought he'd win, but I said no we were going to the Curragh.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
