First winner for Donegal teenager Jamie Orr

It was a red-letter day at Dundalk for Donegal youngster Jamie Orr who rode his first winner on Cherry Pink (11/1) in the Bar One Racing Best Odds Guaranteed All Shops & Online Apprentice Handicap.

Owned and trained by Bill Durkan, the Elzaam mare came from mid-division to lead a furlong out and had a length to spare over market leader Sarmiento Power at the line. 

Three times a winner for Ado McGuinness, this was the five-year-old's first success for her current connections. 

“When we got her we couldn’t believe that she had won in Laytown over six furlongs the year before that,” said assistant trainer Gary Bannon.

“To be honest we thought she wanted a bit further. We bought her for Jamie to learn, he’s apprenticed with us and works really hard.

“His cousin Conor (Orr) rode a Midlands National winner for us and asked me if we’d take him on. He hadn’t much experience and hadn’t been away from home.

“The boys bought this horse for a bit of craic, to teach him and get him going. He deserves everything as he’s a great worker.

“He’s a big part of our team and I’m delighted for him. His Mum and Dad are here too tonight.

“She’ll probably get a mile-and-a-half, she didn’t do a lot when she got there.

“We have schooled her and she might jump a hurdle next year. It’ll have to be in the summer, I don’t know if she’d be good enough for the winter.

“She’ll keep tipping away here for Jamie and we’ll have one or two more for him.

“Hopefully lads will start to give him a chance, it’s hard to get going for kids in this country. He’s a hard-working lad and deserves everything.”

“It’s a great feeling to get my first winner under rules,” said 18-year-old Orr.

“I’m originally from Donegal and my two cousins are jockeys, Oisin and Conor. They kind of led the way and started off riding ponies and I was bitten by the bug and started riding pony racing.

“Gary (Bannon) and the Durkans took me on and they’ve been very good to me, so it’s great to get a winner for them too.

“I’m with them the past year. I’ve learned a lot there about my style and race-riding, they’ve taught me a lot and I have to thank them all.

“It’s a great buzz and hopefully I get many more.

“My Mum and Dad were here tonight. They’ve done a lot for me and drove me up and down the country. I’d like to thank them too, they got the day off work and it was a good day to come down.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson