Thomas O'Connor celebrates his first winner on Kp's Ladyofknock © Photo Healy Racing
Kp's Ladyofknock brought up a first winner in the saddle for Thomas O'Connor in the extended two-mile handicap hurdle at Clonmel.
Eyes were drawn to the 28/1 chance as she closed on the leaders after the third-last flight. She led on the approach to the final two furlongs and was full of running as she tackled the final two hurdles.
The four-year-old filly got away from the last well and increased her advantage to two and a-half lengths at the winning post for trainer Mark Fahey. She certainly didn't go unbacked having opened at 50/1.
The places were occupied by Mayos Vendangeur (5/1jf) and Star Official (9/1) in second and third respectively.
The winner was making her first start for Fahey having been unplaced in eight starts for Peter Maher.
O'Connor said: "I'm delighted. I'm based with Mark six mornings a week, he has been very good to me and has given me plenty rides.
"I'm 18, from Dingle and have no background in racing although I'm 100 metres over the road from the Kennedys (champion jockey Jack and Paddy).
"Jack used to ride horses by my house every day of the week so got the bug from there and they have been very good to me. I spent a season flapping and another season point-to-pointing with Sam Curling, who was very good to me.
"She goes well at home and I thought she had a good chance running off a light weight. She did it well in the finish."
Fahey added: "It was a surprise although we don't have her very long. She was fit, healthy and well when she came, but came (with) it a bit of an attitude and didn't delay too long in getting her out (to run) as I didn't want her getting bored with the change of scenery.
"She worked very very well in two bits of work for me and Tom rides her out at home, so knows her well.
"To be fair to Peter, he said she has loads of ability but needed to be sweetened up. She might go back to '0's' and 'P's' now but, if we can keep her genuine, she might win again.
"She had a light weight and Tom is good value for the 7lb claim, so we tried to make things as easy as we could for her.
"He is a great lad, works hard and you couldn't get better than him and is a good rider too."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
