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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Townend rides first winner as Mullins' new stable jockey

Thu 2nd May 2019, 19:08

My Sister Sarah (nearest) alongside blundering Young Ted My Sister Sarah (nearest) alongside blundering Young Ted
© Photo Healy Racing

Paul Townend bagged his first winner as Willie Mullins' freshly minted stable jockey at Punchestown today as the Champion Jockey-elect steered My Sister Sarah to justify 4/1 favouritsim and win the Grade B Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle.

The daughter of Martaline finished an unlucky in-running sixth at Fairyhouse's recent Easter festival and today avoided trouble racing on the outer before staying on strongly in the home straight and scoring a two lengths win over Young Ted

Townend's transition in becoming Mullins' stable jockey has been a work in progress this term and following My Sister Sarah's success, the Champion Trainer stated “Paul is champion jockey this year but in the past when Ruby was injured he’s filled in very, very well. It’s (Ruby’s retirement) come at a nice time for Paul too.

“Paul is very cool like Ruby. He has a different style of riding but gets very good results.”

Mullins added “this filly got into a good bit of trouble in Fairyhouse; she’s not the biggest in the world and got intimidated by others around her.

“Today Paul dragged her to the outside and once he got out there he got her balanced and racing and she jumped well enough.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

1st
4/1Fav
Tote €5.60 €2.00
2nd
2L
18/1
€5.10
3rd
1L
28/1
€6.80
4th
0.5L
12/1
€3.80
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.