Caragh Monaghan all smiles after her first success© Photo Healy Racing
All-Ireland-winning ladies footballer Caragh Monaghan upset the odds riding her first winner today, landing the appropriately-sponsored Gaeil Colmcille GAA Kells Handicap Hurdle on 40/1 outsider St Denis's Well at local course Navan.
Monaghan was on the Meath panel which ended Dublin's five-in-a-row bid when winning the 2022 All-Ireland senior ladies football championship and today was riding in her 17th race on a gelding which had pulled up last-time-out.
Racing behind the leaders, Monaghan's mount today travelled strongly and under a cool ride, improved to lead at the last before being pushed out for a comfortable success from Makfils
Monaghan, who plays football for Meath club Seneschalstown, reported “I'm absolutely thrilled and it's great to get my first winner at my local track. I'm from Kentstown, just ten minutes from Navan and all my family are here.
“I'm with Gavin Cromwell and Ian Donoghue (today's winning trainer) and was in Cheltenham yesterday with two of Gavin's horses. I came home last night for this ride.
“I've had a good few rides on the track so I'm delighted to finally get one on the board and hopefully a few more will come. I used to play football for Meath and have a few all-Ireland medals.”
Regarding the race, she added “he travelled everywhere for me, jumped for fun and loved the ground. They didn't go much of a gallop so I was happy with where I was. I didn't want to take him back because I didn't want the two in front to get too far ahead.
“I let him pop away and slowly increased it down the back. He travelled from the word go and I couldn't believe it when he was in front how well I was still going. He'll definitely stay further.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
