Midnight Music (noseband) comes on the outer to score© Photo Healy Racing
Jane Mangan became the first successful lady rider in the long history of the amateur handicap, on the opening night of Galway, when guiding Midnight Music to a cosy victory.
It was yet another remarkable night for Dermot Weld, who was winning three out of the first four races on the first day at Ballybrit.
There were plenty in with chances turning for home in the two-mile event and Clarach in particular travelled with ease.
Mangan had tracked that rival through, however, and her mount quickened in style when asked for an effort.
The Lady O'Reilly owned filly pulled away in the closing stages to post a two-and-three-quarter length success. Cry For The Moon stayed on for the runner-up spot while Clarach failed to pick up when ridden and was two lengths back in third.
The winner was making the step up to two miles for the first time and Weld revealed afterwards that it was a leap into the unknown.
“I tend to pick the right riders!” said the Rosewell House handler.
“She gave it an absolutely perfect ride. We discussed it beforehand and the one doubt was if she would get two miles. She had to ride her to get it.
“I said when the pressure came not to panic and when horses came round her not to be tempted to go with them – to count to five and wait, then get her balanced and go.
“She's the first lady to win it and it's a great credit to her. I can't speak highly enough of her. For a 7lb claimer she rides like a professional.
“She's a small filly so we decided to take the weight off. I thought she would need the 7lb.
“Her father and my mother are very good friends and they are a wonderful Cork family.
“I won this race four times myself as a rider. It's nice for Lady O'Reilly who also bred the filly. It's a nice prize.”
It was a dream success for 18-year-old Mangan, who was riding at the festival meeting here for the first time:-
“She travelled like a dream. Our one worry was that she might not stay as she's only raced at a mile-and-a-half.
“In the dip she was travelling very well and I also saw Clarach travelling well so I followed him through.
“As soon as I shook the reins the response was immediate. She was going away at the line. I didn't even have my whip as I dropped it a furlong out.
“I was delighted to get the phone call. It's my first ride for Mr Weld and my first winner at Galway. It was also a privelege to ride for Lady O'Reilly.
“My dad won the Plate here in 1997 as we watched that video so many times. He's at home today and I think he's better left at home as I ride more winners then!”
It was a 155/1 treble on the card for trainer Dermot Weld.
The crowd was slightly up for the first day of action this year, with 17,710 through the gates as opposed to 17,570 last year. A rise of 140.
Bookmakers saw an increase in the ring as the figure went up from €1,309,926 last year to €1,412,596. A rise of €102,670.
The Tote aggregate was down, however, from €663,167 last year to €599,047 this term. A fall of €64,120.
