Stephen Crawford© Photo Healy Racing
Amateur jockey Stephen Crawford recorded his first career double at Newcastle yesterday when steering both his trainer brother Stuart's bumper winners on the day, continuing the phenomenal success story of the family.
The family, based three miles from Larne Port, have enjoyed a terrific run, particularly in Britain, in recent times and sent out winners of both divisions of yesterday's bumper with Mister Nibbles and unbeaten treble bumper winner Izzini.
Izzini's feat of winning all three bumpers was remarkably achieved just 16 days earlier by stablemate Aintree Bumper winner Legacy Gold, which was sold last Wednesday for Stg210,000.
Jockey Stephen Crawford, who won the 2012 Fegentri World Series, stated “after Legacy Gold winning, it was great to get Izzini to win three bumpers too and she (Izzini) is a genuine wee thing who'll either have a run over hurdles soon or be left off.
“We were disappointed Mister Nibbles didn't get into the Aintree Bumper as we thought he'd run a good race in it but yesterday worked out really well for both horses. There's a good chance Mister Nibbles will be kept on the go now as he'll be better on better ground and will go hurdling.”
Regarding Legacy Gold's sale, Crawford said “on one hand it was great for her owner Chris Johnson to sell her but on another we're sad to see her go but you can't have it both ways! Mr Johnson has a few half brothers to her too which is good.”
Crawford, who won the Cambridgeshire as an apprentice jockey, has ridden 13 winners from just 67 rides in Ireland and Britain this season but says he is more than willing to travel if required for outside rides.
He says “I don't normally ring for rides as I prefer to think if people want you, they'll ring. It can be frustrating getting on horses but I'd drive to Cork if I had a ride!”
