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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

'Busy man' Sutton rides first winner

Wed 21st Feb 2024, 17:09

Balum and Jack SuttonBalum and Jack Sutton
© Photo Healy Racing

Twenty-one-year-old amateur jockey Jack Sutton registered a first racecourse winner today, steering his family's Balum to land Punchestown's Sherry Fitzgerald Brady O'Flaherty Supporting Longford GAA Handicap Hurdle.

Balum (7/1) returned from a 478-day absence when finishing third over today's course-and-distance 23 days ago and in today's race, made most of the running to easily beat runner-up Beau's Candle by nine lengths.

Balum's trainer Dermot McLoughlin later reported “Jack is from outside Ashbourne and had previously ridden the winner of a point-to-point. His family have a pub which he works in, he rides out and has a farm as well - he's a very busy man!”

“Jack's Mam (Eileen) and Dad (Raymond) own her so it's great. He comes into us and rides out and is a good young lad.”

Regarding Balum he added “we'll see what happens with the handicapper now. She had a good run the last day and it brought her on. It was grand for the young lad to get started and we'll go from there.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

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.