San Andreas and Shay Wallace © Photo Healy Racing
From Ballynoe, Co Cork apprentice Shay Wallace made the breakthrough aboard San Andreas in the concluding Book Online At DundalkStadium.com Handicap.
Upped in trip to a mile and a half for the first time, the Joseph O'Brien-trained eight-year-old proved very easy to back, drifting from 12s to a starting price of 25/1.
Settled behind the leaders on the outer, the now nine-time winner took closer order from early in the straight and was ridden to challenge the front running Tribal Star with a furlong and a half to go.
The pair then had a protracted tussle, with the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate-owned victor getting on top close home to prevail by half-a-length.
The aforementioned Tribal Star (5/1) had to settle for second under Jamie Powell, while 5/6 favourite Slieve Binnian could only manage a disappointing fourth.
"I can't thank Joseph and the owners enough, they have been very good to me since I started. A big thanks to all of them," Wallace enthused.
"I think this is my ninth ride now, so I am very happy to get a winner on the board.
"I'm from Ballynoe, Co Cork near the town of Fermoy. I'm 17 and did a bit of pony racing last season which I think was a very big grounding for me.
"I went to RACE in September of last year and from there I got sent to Joseph, so I'm here about a year now and loving it.
"It panned out very well. He broke well, we sat kind of second there one off the rail and we were there the whole race. He loved where he was and when we got to the three (pole), he kept rolling and kept coming along very nicely. He hit the line and did it very well.
"First time over a mile and a-half and we were thinking would he stay or would he not. From his run the last day with Julian (Pietropaolo), I thought myself that he might have it in him to stay."
When asked what his first impression was when he went by the line in front, he replied: "Oh my God I can't believe it!"
Remarkably 13 different jockeys have partnered the winner in his 59 races to date, with Ryan Moore, James Doyle and Donnacha O'Brien all getting a spin on this admirable bay.
STEWARDS REPORTS
J. Kearney, rider of Jawhary (GB), trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right.
P. McGettigan, rider of A Daughtersdelight trained by Patrick Magee, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount rolled around up the straight.
J.A. Powell, rider of Waystar trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right up the straight.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
