“This is just a weekend job, really.”
College students, how did you spend your Christmas holidays? Did any of you race to a stunning win on your maiden ride?
That is what 19-year-old Emma Doyle did at Dundalk Stadium, on Friday, when she drove Northern Surprise over the line ahead of the chasing pack to start her racing career perfectly.
Northern Surprise, owned by her mother Claire and trained by her father Tim, went off as a 20/1 outsider but Doyle brought it home in some style. Following the race, Doyle, who is studying business in Maynooth University, 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!”
Doyle has been involved in a few schooling races but this was her first go in the big leagues. She rode Northern Surprise to victory ahead of Spanish Soprano, who is also trained by her father.
“I wanted to drop in and just kind of get a schooling around but it worked out a whole lot better for me,” she said.
“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 [from Tipperary] paid off.
“Hopefully for the winter [my father] will give me a few chances.”
"I wanted to drop in and learn a bit but it worked out a whole lot better for me!"
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
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 4, 2019
Some start for the young jockey from Tipp.
