A rising star appeared at Ballinrobe tonight with sixteen year old apprentice jockey Emmett Butterly looking the real deal, when recording a 27/1 double for his boss Michael Halford.
The former pony champion rider came in for praise from Halford following his initial win, and sixth of his 31 race career, on Stef's Girl in the Tim Kelly Electrical Handicap.
Still claiming a seven pound allowance, Butterly raced the daughter of Petardia prominently before riding the winner clear in the straight for a two and a half length win.
Halford later mentioned 'Emmett gave her a great ride and did well to get a good position from an outside draw - he has a great head and never panics.'
An hour later, Butterly, riding Man Of Aran for Halford, got the better of Fran Berry on Fitzroy, in a driving finish to the Corrib Oil Claiming Race.
A short head separated the horses at the line following a great battle inside the final furlong.
Another apprentice who has already made plenty of headlines is Limerickman Chris Hayes, who landed the Jimmy Tierney Memorial Handicap on Harry Rogers' Lucky Slipper.
The winner raced prominently throughout but only got her head in front on the line, denying Max Scal by a short head.
Rogers later reported 'I only have the horse six weeks but she should be capable of winning a similar race soon.'
Jockey Sean McDermott gained a deserved success on Pat Fahy's first reserve Camdengreenmachine in the Healy's Statoil Beginners Chase.
McDermott does well from limited chances and was recording his first win since a painful dislocation of his hip at Kilbeggan in June, giving the son of Camden Town a positive ride to beat Four Aces.
Fahy reported 'the horse is not straightforward as he takes a fair pull and veers about a bit. He and has lost races from doing that and Sean did well to keep him straight.'
The opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden saw Myles Sunderland record his first juvenile winner, with Damjanich.
Ridden by Niall McCullagh, Damjanich made all for her easy four and a half length win over Radiator Rooney.
Afterwards, Sunderland reported 'she'll handled the bends well and will now go for a winners' race at Sligo next week. She is only one of three two year olds I have in training.'
Eoin Doyle has several options at Tramore later this week for his Tingshaw Ring, winner of the 2m4f handicap hurdle while Air Of Confusion and Paul Flynn gained an overdue success for trainer Iggy Madden in the handicap chase.
