CO Antrim-born Sammy Jo Bell made a successful return to racing action at Doncaster on Wednesday when landing the Leger Legends Stakes on Dubai Acclaim who was winning for the third time in 20 starts.

The 28-year-old hit the front on the bay a furlong out and then held off Noel Fehily, who was on board the 4/1 favourite, Hammer Gun, by a short-head. Dubai Acclaim, a four-year-old Acclamation gelding, is trained by Bell’s old boss, Richard Fahey, who described the race as “a thriller”.

The two Irish riders involved in the tight finish were among the latest to retire in the line-up of 16 former jockeys who also included Kieren Fallon (who is riding in the Pat Smullen Champions Race for Cancer Trials Ireland at The Curragh tomorrow), Timmy Murphy, Brian Harding, Andrew Thornton and Luke Harvey.

Sammy Jo, whose previous win on the track came in October 2017 at Catterick, retired early in 2018, whereas her partner, Phillip Makin, retired this March and immediately started training at Well Close Farm in north Yorkshire from where he has sent out seven winners to date, many of his runners also collecting best turned-out prizes.

Bell, who rides out at the yard every day, is Makin’s assistant, undertaking all the tasks which that role involves. They have just collected yearlings from the sales and will be busy breaking them, but she hopes to have time for some other equestrian pursuits.

“I have just brought the hunter in from the field so hopefully I will get out hunting and jumping a bit this year,” said Sammy Jo. “I’m doing a Countryside Live show cross competition in October so am looking forward to that.”