Flanagan to move to Britain Jockey Sean Flanagan is set to move to Britain where he will team up with trainer Evan Williams from July 1. Flanagan, 23 later this month & from Clonroche, Co Wexford, has cited the lack of opportunities as the reason for his departure, saying “I’d prefer to be riding every day but some of the yards I have been riding for here have gone quiet and my rides have dried up.” He added “I met Paul Moloney (stable jockey to Evan Williams) recently and asked him about a job in Britain. He set me up with a week’s trial with Mr Williams three weeks ago and everything went very well.” “Paul is obviously stable jockey and while Adam Wedge is also getting opportunities in the yard, hopefully there should be rides available for me too. I’ll have no trouble riding off bottom weight and am looking forward to the challenge.” Regarding his reasons for leaving, Flanagan says “I dislocated my left shoulder last August and six weeks later fractured my left elbow - it has been very difficult to get going again since coming back. “I rode winners for trainers like Dusty Sheehy and many smaller Wexford trainers but many of those yards have been hit by the recession and as a result my rides have dried up. I still ride for Liz Doyle, Jimmy Mangan and Colin Bowe and will be looking forward to riding a few when I come back on weekends.” Flanagan partnered 23 winners in the 2008/09 season and has ridden big race wins in the Thyestes Chase and MCR Hurdle (formerly Ladbroke Hurdle) while also claiming the Midlands National. Thomas Weekes
