Julie McDonald celebrates winning on Miss Louise© Photo Healy Racing
Julie McDonald savoured her first success on board Miss Louise in the first division of the 45-65 mile and a half handicap in Fairyhouse.
The 10lb claimer made her race-winning move three and a half furlongs from home as she sent her mount past the favourite Angel In The Sky
The six-year-old mare took a few lengths out of that rival straightening for home.
McDonald kept her up to her work and the pair sailed home by two and a quarter lengths at 10/1 for trainer Pat Murphy. Enquire Within (22/1) came through for second without ever threatening the winner. Bolero was another half a length away in third at 11/2.
McDonald said: “I'm delighted with her, she just hung a little bit coming into the straight. That's my first winner and only my third spin on the track and first on turf.
“I'm 18-year-old and from Laois, I've just done the leaving cert. I'm in Pat's every morning and come in to ride this mare.”
Murphy added: "It’s a special win for Julie on just her third spin. She is with me for three years and took her licence out in January.
"She has been riding this filly for a few weeks now and seems to have got a nice tune out of her. Julie used to do a bit of pony racing.
"I’d like to thank the owner, Oliver Casey, for giving Julie the ride. The mare had become inconsistent and we said we’d try something different. If anything, Julie has helped rejuvenate her."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
