A long way to Tipperary as Sexton steers first winner

Amateur rider Harry Sexton steered Katherine (25/1) to an emotional first success today, landing Tipperary's TipperaryRaces.ie Handicap Hurdle for his father Adrian Sexton who was notching a second success in his second stint as a trainer.

The six-year-old mare was herself getting off the mark on her 11th attempt and battled to a neck success over Big Island having raced prominently.

Sexton senior explained “I had some very good horses, had lots of winners but gave up training for 10 years and we moved to Australia. We came home two weeks before the lockdown and one of the reasons was Harry wanted to have a go at being a jockey.

“He had always been listening to these stories and watching DVDs and videos of our horses running.

“We can only train what we have and I have to thank Marc (Salmon) who has stuck with me when others deserted. He has three horses with me, we're looking for a couple more and if it wasn't for good owners I'd be finished.

“Harry also rides out for Peter Fahey and my son Darragh and Harry's friend Conor Lammon all help in the yard.”

Sexton, whose previous two winners were Bears Hug in 2022 and Ballygill Gale back in 2009, added “in Australia I worked at the harness racing track so took a major step away from racing but today we completed building new stables so are looking for more horses and owners.”

Jockey Sexton, 18, was emotional and reported “this is unbelievable. It was hard work getting here and my father works so hard it is about time he had his winner and I'm very lucky to be riding these horses because she is a great mare and we knew she had a good chance today.

“I'm very grateful to the owner Marc Salmon for letting me ride.

“It was surreal jumping the last in front and I was hoping she'd stay going. She seems to like it around here, is a fighter and kept finding for me.

“I finished my last Leaving Cert exam two weeks ago, I want to stay at this game but I'm not too sure my mother will be impressed!”