Keithen Kennedy celebrates his first success on the track© Photo Healy Racing
Keithen Kennedy enjoyed a day he will never forget as he booted home his first winner aboard 25/1 shot Glamorously for Jessica Harrington in the Slane Nursery Handicap at Navan.
He rode his mount for more effort inside the two pole as they chased clear leader Stopitnowjulia and the pair made eye-catching headway to close with a furlong to race.
At this stage, Stopitnowjulia had been headed by Avanti Avana and Uncle Albert with Barley Cove thrusting through between them.
However, all three were cut down by Glamorously and Kennedy in the final 150 yards as they stormed into the lead before winning going away by a length and a-quarter from stablemate Dramatic Entrance (15/2) to give Harrington a one-two in this extended five furlong sprint. Barley Cove was half a length further away in third at 22/1.
Kennedy said: “I'm 16 and from Monasterevin. This is my dream ever since I could walk.
“I started with Mrs Harrington two summers ago.
“The race worked out perfectly for me. The two in front went a nice gallop, I just sat in behind and took my time. She quickened away lovely for me and I'm very happy. That's only my third ride.
“I'm in sixth year at the moment in school, in St Pauls on Monasterevin, but I went in and rode out this morning before coming here.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
