Little-known jockey, 18, from very famous racing family rides breakthrough first winner
A LITTLE-KNOWN jockey from a very famous racing family has made her big breakthrough aged 18 – after riding her first winner.
Gabriella Hill stole the show at Leopardstown on Thursday night with victory on Glor Tire.
PAGabriella Hill can’t stop smiling after winning her first ever race on the Jim Bolger-trained Glor Tire[/caption]
The 10lb claimer was so confident of victory that she eased the 11-8 favourite down near the line to win by just over a length in the mile race.
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In the iconic Bolger colours, she scooped an £8,500 jackpot for trainer Jim, whose wife Jackie owns the horse.
But the victory was worth more than cash, with it signalling the next stage of a very famous racing dynasty.
Gabriella is the great-granddaughter of the late Charmian Hill, owner of the legendary Dawn Run.
The only horse in history to complete the Champion Hurdle – Gold Cup double, Dawn Run made front-page news when she died aged eight.
A former winner of the Irish and French Champion Hurdles as well, her statue now looms over the parade ring at Cheltenham and the mares’ novices’ hurdle at the Festival is known as the Dawn Run.
Like many jockeys Gabriella started out in eventing and showjumping before making the switch to the high-octane world of racing.
And it’s something she’s looking to kick on with now she has her first winner under her belt.
She said: “To get a first winner here is brilliant and I’d like to thank Mr Bolger and Jackie who have been brilliant to me. I’ve learned loads since joining their team.
“I got my licence late last year and had a couple of rides, and this year it’s kicking off for me now.
“My grandparents and my parents are here and it’s great support with them all coming up. My great grandmother was Charmian Hill.
“We always had a couple of horses at home and have a few in training at the minute.
“I’ve always been riding and started with a local point-to-point trainer.
“She’s declared to run again on Saturday and hopefully we’ll be going with a chance if she runs.
“She’s come off her last run well and hopefully she can do the same.
“Hopefully I can ride out my 10lb claim this year and keep learning from Kevin Manning and Rory Cleary.”
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