IT WAS AN unforgettable day to cherish for Emma Doyle on Friday in Dundalk, as the 19-year-old won her first race just a day after receiving her jockey licence.
The Tipperary native piloted Northern Surprise to victory at the BetVictor Handicap in Louth, with the racehorse owned by her mother Claire and trained by her father Tim.
“I honestly couldn’t believe it,” she said speaking about her debut win shortly afterwards. “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
The Moyne native is currently completing a degree in business and marketing at Maynooth University, but admitted that racing was still a part-time endeavour at the moment having only received her licence on Thursday.
“I’ve ridden in a few schooling races but it is much different out there. It was a lot faster,” she said.
“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.”
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