Emma Doyle made a stunning racing debut on Friday night as she won at Dundalk just a day after receiving her jockey licence.
The 19-year-old business student piloted Northern Surprise (20/1), owned by her mother Claire and trained by her father Tim, to victory from the back of the field in the BetVictor Handicap at Dundalk.
Doyle told Racing TV: "I honestly couldn't believe it, he just kept picking up down the straight. I was barely touching him.
"I knew him from his good days when he won three around here and he loves to come wide. Not a bother on him, he tried to run away on me coming back!
"I should know him a lot better but he is dad's pet, he rides him out every single day. I know him well enough at this stage."
"I wanted to drop in and learn a bit but it worked out a whole lot better for me!"
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 4, 2019
A great interview here with Emma Doyle, the 19-year-old 10lb claimer who's a winner after her first-ever ride this evening at @DundalkStadium pic.twitter.com/W5G1mw5oRs
Despite the dream first ride, Doyle is not yet planning a career as a jockey - though she's open to taking the reins again for her father, who also trained the runner-up Spanish Soprano.
"I've ridden in a few schooling races but it is much different out there," she said. "It was a lot faster.
"I wanted to drop in and just kind of get a schooling around but it worked out a whole lot better for me.
"I'm 19 and I'm in my second year at Maynooth so this is just a weekend job really. I'm studying business and marketing. The three and a half hour journey up paid off.
"Hopefully for the winter he'll give me a few chances!"
