Julian Pietropaolo savours his first victory© Photo Healy Racing
It was a red-letter day for Julian Pietropaolo in Bellewstown as he rode his first winner on Art Of Unity in the Dickie McGuinness Handicap.
The 8/1 shot tracked the leaders and travelled well a quarter of a mile down. He was pushed along to lead over a furlong out and kept on to fend off fast-finishing My Girl Sioux (7/1) by half a length. Clarinbridge was another length away in third at 10/1.
Pietropaolo said: "I'm 16 and from Cork, a small village called Ballynoe. My cousins had ponies and when I was younger I used to go with them after school riding ponies.
"I progressed into a National Hunt yard with Donie Murphy.
"From there I spent the summer in Joseph O'Brien's. I took out my apprentice licence with Joseph after being there for a few months.
"I love it up there and Joseph is building me up nice and slowly. It is what I have always wanted to do since I was four or five years old.
"He found plenty, I just had a quick look up at the two (pole) and I couldn't believe he was still on the bridle. He loved the ground as well.
"Massive thanks to Muredach (Kelly, trainer) as well for the ride on him."
STEWARDS REPORTS
M.W Hassett, rider of Turn Up The Beat (GB), trained by David Richard Barry, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mounts bit broke in the stalls and it was replaced.
S. Foley, rider of Coolcalmncollected (GB), trained by Ciaran Murphy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount leaned right.
The Raceday Stewards interviewed Aidan Coleman, Authorised Represetative for Kevin Thomas Coleman, trainer, to explain why his charge arrived at the start without the correct hood as declared beneath a red removable hood and was subsequently withdrawn by order of the Raceday Stewards. Aiden Coleman stated that a hood was declared in error and it was the trainers intention that his charge would wear the removable hood to the start. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that the trainer was in breach of Rule 194(e) and having considered his clean record in this regard, they cautioned him on this occasion through his Authorised Representative.
Alyse Jane Clarke, rider of Only A Star trained by T.G.McCourt, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that her mount hung right throughout.
