Jockey Bill Lee bridged a gap of 11 years and 12 days between winners for trainer Michael Halford today when landing the Dundalk Winter Series Championship Handicap (div II) on Havana Pearl (11/2).

Having a second ride for Halford since his sole success for the trainer on Melodie D'amour at today's venue on January 6, 2012, Lee today steered keen-going Havana Pearl to a two and a half lengths win over Satono Chevailier.

Halford reported “Ronan (Whelan, stable jockey) is on holidays in Australia and I'm delighted to use Billy, who reminded me that it is a long time since he rode a horse for me! He got there good and early on her and she did it nicely.”

He added "she has a lovely pedigree and her dam (Golden Pearl) won over six furlongs for us first time out. She's a bit too keen and hard on herself and, like her mother, she thought she was quicker than she was!

“She has been settling better this season and we thought she was worth a step up in trip. Learning to settle has been the key to her and she is genuine. We'll probably keep going and see can we win another one or two.”

Quotes from Michael Graham