Shamiran and Mark Enright (right) are about to win the Apprentice Derby© Photo Healy Racing
This year's winner of the Eflow Rewards Apprentice Derby at The Curragh this evening won't produce a long-term Flat jockey, with victory instead going to budding jump jockey Mark Enright, on the Stephen Nolan trained Shamiran
Enright, who has been seen to good affect over jumps recently, was hard at work on the son of Polish Precedent as leader Equity Swap went clear a furlong out. In the closing stages, Shamiran benefited from a strong ride to lead close home, for a head win.
Afterwards winning trainer Stephen Nolan stated “Shamiran ran in the Ulster Derby last Saturday where he got a bit of a squeeze three furlongs out and his race was over after that.
“He was well the next morning – mad fresh, so we decided to come here. He was going to the Galway Festival and he needed a run before then anyway.
“Mark (Enright) gave him a super ride and was very strong. Shamiran has a couple of options at Galway – if it is 'soft', he could go for the Galway Hurdle and if it comes up 'good' he could go for the 2m5f handicap hurdle on the Saturday.”
