Fitzgibbon excels on Spark

Abbie Fitzgibbon recorded her first winner on the track when guiding Dark Spark to victory in the concluding St. Johns Theatre Listowel (QR) Race at Listowel.

After a slightly slow start, the jockey had Dark Spark quickly on terms before the partnership moved through the field to take up the running. Early in the straight, both Barbados and Dance Jupiter looked live threats but neither could get by the winner.

Without doubt, the decision to come wide into the centre of the track proved a race winning mood and connections should be applauded for their foresight.

Winning trainer Mick Winters said; "we have him two and a half months and James Sheehan pre-trained him and he came in in tremendous order. He is a big horse, with a good pedigree and maybe he needed time.

"We were delighted when the race broke up this morning as there was prizemoney for the first six. This is a bonus as we were here to compete for experience for Abbie.

"Abbie is a great girl and is with us full-time and David Christie is also giving her rides in point to points."

"The horse will go for a beginners chase next."

Recording her first winner, Abbie Fitzgibbon said; “I have no racing background, my family are more into hurling and my brother (Darragh) plays for the Cork senior team.

"I was the person who advised to buy this one as a foal with the intention of selling him on again as a three-year-old but we ended up keeping him and he’s brought us a bit of joy. It’s nice to get the first winner, especially on him - it couldn’t have worked out better.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.