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Sheehan well pleased to reach 500 winner mark

Gavin SheehanGavin Sheehan
© Photo Healy Racing

Dunmanway County Cork jockey Gavin Sheehan reached a career milestone of 500 winners when guiding Sartene’s Son home in the Iscoyd Handicap Hurdle at Bangor today.

Sheehan, whose biggest success to date came on Cole Harden in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2015, was rewarded with a front-running ride on the 22-1 shot, trained by Robert Bevis.

Sartene’s Son was never in much danger throughout the two-mile-seven-furlong contest and crossed the line 10 lengths clear of Loch Garman Aris.

“That’s winner number 500, so it’s great,” Sheehan told Sky Sports Racing.

“I walked the track and I just thought the one thing I needed to do out there was to stay on that inside because there is one strip for one horse down the inside that’s fresh, so I thought I had to get to that.

“I spoke to Mr Bevis beforehand and said I’d like to pop out and try something different. When I got to the front I just had to sit up and ride my own sort of race.

“I felt if I could save a bit turning in we might have a go and we did. He stuck his head down and galloped all the way to the line.

“He jumped brilliant and that was nice.”