Seventeen year old Sean Kirrane gained his first career winner at the Curragh today, winning the Curragh Tickets Online Apprentice Handicap on Bainne for his employer trainer Johnny Levins.

Drawn wide in 17, Kirrane held up the daughter of Strategic Prince before delivering his challenge late-on, eventually edging to the front close home for a head win over Jealika

Afterwards a delighted Kirrane said “everything went to plan and the pace suited me. I’m 17 and from Blackrock in Dublin and have been with Johnny (Levins) for a year now. I received my license in October and had my first ride in January.”

Bainne was today winning her third race at the ‘home of Irish flat racing’ and in doing so is something of a Curragh rarity, in that her wins at the venue have been between ratings of just 69 and 77.

Levins today said “I’m just delighted that Sean was able to get the ride on her and to get a winner at the Curragh is great for him.

“She’s been a very consistent filly, loves it up here and that’s her third win here. We may find another few races up here for her.

“She’s improving away and is going to be 80-something now, so we are going to be looking at Premier Handicaps with her after that.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee