Irish racing’s annual trip to the beach kicked off in the Balmarino Handicap at Laytown today, where Laois based restricted licensed Shane Duffy recorded his first winner as a trainer with Hello Man

A first winner at the track for last year’s Leading Apprentice Jockey Gary Carroll, the son of Princely Heir chased the leaders before moving to the front over a furlong out, eventually scoring an easy two and a half lengths.

Afterwards a delighted Duffy stated “I train 13 horses, mostly point to pointers, and this is my only Flat horse! It’s great to get this first winner and Hello Man is owned by a few lads from Listowel (Lehaghaidhspraoi Partnership) and we’ll take the horse there next Tuesday for another handicap!”

“I myself was based with Christy Roche for eight years and have known and helped Gary (Carroll) to ride from an early age. I’ve had 10 point to point winners already with a strike rate of 32% and my father Paddy, aged 70, and rides Hello Man and a few more out every day!”