Second winner for 'Socks' Madden

Tom Madden has made a fine start to his riding career and the 16 year old partnered his second winner, on just his tenth ride, on the Dick Donohoe trained Happy Anniversary in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Apprentice Handicap (div 2) at Dundalk this evening.

Madden, already known as 'Socks', being a brother of Niall 'Slippers' Madden and son of Niall 'Boots' Madden, won the Dingle Derby earlier this year and partnered his first racecourse winner at Cork last Saturday on Susiescot.

Following Happy Anniversary's win, trainer Donohoe stated “she (Happy Anniversary) had a great year last year but had an injury in the spring and chipped a bone on a fetlock joint which needed surgery.

“Joseph (O'Brien) rode her here at the end of last year when she was starting to lose her form but he said she handled the surface well then so I wasn't too worried about that today. She may run here next week if there is a suitable race.”

He added “Paul Sweeney, from Donegal, owns her and I'm delighted for him as he's has been very patient since buying her at Goresbridge Sales last July.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee