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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Alix Balfe rides first winner at Cork

Mon 1st Apr 2024, 15:33

Alix Balfe with MacinamillionAlix Balfe with Macinamillion
© Photo Healy Racing

Twenty year old Alix Balfe partnered his first winner today, steering Macinamillion (12/1) to land Cork's Leisure Domes Ltd Handicap Hurdle for his employer trainer Gavin Cromwell.

Both Balfe and Macinamillion were each 14-race maidens coming into today's race and having raced mid-field, the winners improved to lead approaching the final flight and battled well to beat Aboy Joey by a half-length.

Macinamillion carries the colours of the Tralee-based Oak Lodge Farm Ltd syndicate while trainer Cromwell was at Fairyhouse where, some twenty minutes later, he won a Grade 2 hurdle with Bottler'secret

At Cork delighted Balfe reported “he is a little trier of a horse, runs free but it was grand to get him switched off today and he got the business done.

"I'm with Gavin six days a week and with Pat Downey in the evenings so thanks to Gavin and Ger (Teahon, part owner) for giving me the ride today - I'm grateful for the opportunities.

“I'm 20, from Kells and my grandfather rode a few point-to-pointers and I got into racing that way, so all credit to Dad and my grandad. I had a couple of spins in point-to-points on our own horse who unfortunately broke down and turned conditional then.

“I'm getting going and tipping along nicely now, credit to Keith Donoghue (fellow Cromwell-based jockey) too and to my agent Gary Cribbin.”

About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.