Finian Maguire rides first winner

Sixteen year old Finian Maguire, son of Gold Cup winning jockey and riding great Adrian Maguire partnered his first winner at Listowel today, when steering his father's Mm Dazzler to win the concluding Brian MacMahon QR Race.

On just his third racecourse ride, Maguire's mount was slowly away from the stalls but was soon racing prominently. The rider moved the son of Fruits Of Love to challenge in the home straight and, under a polished drive from the youngster, edged ahead in the closing stages for a half length win over 7/4 favourite Marchese Marconi

An over-the-moon Maguire senior later stated “this is a super day. When I get home and watch the race a few times, I'll be calling it the best day of my racing career!

“He (Finian) was mad into football and hurling for a long time and I remember saying to Sabrina that at least we won't have to worry about him coming home broke up (from racing). Before long he switched on though and he can't get enough of it (racing) now. The improvement in him in the last three years has been unbelievable.”

The rider, who gained vast experience in the past in Flapper and Pony Racing, later stated “we fancied him (Mm Dazzler) to run a big race today and he did. He was slow away but I got after him after he came out and in the end, he quickened lovely. I took it up a bit later than I would have liked but got there in the end!”

Regarding his future, the teenager added “I'll see how my weight is. I'm happy enough to stay amateur if my weight is heavy but if I'm light enough, I'd love to turn professional.”

Maguire was subsequently suspended for two days using his whip with excessive frequency and for not giving his mount time to respond.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee