Dare To Flare (red) is driven out by Jake Coen © Photo Healy Racing
Younger brother of yesterday’s Ebor-winning jockey Ben, Jake Coen made a dream start to his riding career when partnering Dare To Flare to a 20/1 success in the Treo Eile Retraining Racehorses Apprentice Handicap.
It was a hugely polished display in the saddle by the pony racing graduate, who settled his mount well off a generous early pace.
Improving from early in the straight, Coen brought the Dandy Man gelding through a tight gap a furlong and a half out, and fought his corner to do so, before producing a winning challenge inside the final furlong.
The Kevin Walsh-owned 5-year-old stayed on well to score by a neck from Insignia Of Rank with Mountain Fox and the morning gamble Jo March (sent off 9/2 favourite) close up in behind in third and fourth.
A delighted winning trainer Andy Slattery (uncle of the winning rider) said: “Jake was just 16 last week and has just got his licence. He rode a few pony race winners in the last few weeks.
“He’s been riding with us since he was ten. His bottom weight would be about 8st4lb so he’ll probably end up jumping but that won’t be a problem to him either.
“He’ll get as much as he can out of the Flat and see how it goes.
“This horse had wind surgery since his last run up the north and it seems to have worked. I knew he was working fierce well but I didn’t really know how fit he was as I didn’t give him a real hard gallop at home.
“He’ll mix it over hurdles and on the Flat. Jake’s 10lb claim will help us on the Flat.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
