Amateur jockey Emma Doyle has said turning professional remains a dream as she takes in the reaction to her victory in Dundalk on a first career ride under rules.
The teenager led Northern Surprise from the back of the field and a wide berth in the straight to come late and win the BetVictor Handicap for trainer, and her father, Tim Doyle.
An interview with Racing TV saw a stunned Emma struggle to take in what had just occurred, but two days on, she is turning her focus back to college ahead of exams at the end of next week.
She told Sunday with Miriam on RTÉ Radio 1: "It is very much a dream [to be a professional] but I have to be realistic at the same time.
"I'm definitely not going to be pulling out of college to pursue it any time soon. When I finish my course we will see how it goes. If I get on well this year and things go right for me, you never know.
"I couldn't believe the response [to the win]. I really wasn't expecting that.
"I had no expectations I could win the race. We actually had another horse from our yard (Spanish Soprano) running in the race. She turned out to finish second. We really fancied her and thought she'd have a great race and she did."
Emma paid tribute to her father for turning around the form of horse rated 87 two years ago.
She admitted Northern Surprise is a favourite among her family.
"The race went to plan for me. It worked out really well. I planned on just dropping in behind and trying to learn a bit. I could get some experience for my first day out.
"The horse was travelling brilliantly for me. When I turned him into the straight, I just had a lovely clear run and he really picked up well for me. It was great.
"He is a great old horse. He is eight years old now and he has become a little bit of a family pet. We have had him his entire career. Everyone knows him well at this stage.
"Dad rides him out every day. He lost his form in the last couple of years but testament to my Dad, he really persisted with him through his bad couple of seasons and it's really paid off for me. I have to thank him a lot.
"Once he turned it and passed a couple of horses he just started to really enjoy it. He put his head down and really grinded it out for me."
