NEWS of success for Irish jockeys as young Liam Browne (19) has won the Salisbury Racing Experience Hands and Heels Apprentice Series run by the British Horseracing Authority for riders who have not won more than 10 races under rules. He was presented with his trophy at Salisbury Racecourse recently.

Grandson

Liam rode his first winner in May this year at Newbury and now has eight in total. He is the son of horse and pony producer Martin and his wife Hilda and grandson of his namesake, the classic-winning trainer who was famous for his production line of top apprentices, including Michael Kinane and Tommy Carmody.

“I learnt my trade through my dad,” Liam told The Irish Field. “He got myself and my brother Max going and I learnt a lot through pony club races. I was riding out at Michael Halford’s but it’s so competitive in Ireland it’s hard to get a ride let alone a win.

“I came over to Richard Hannon’s yard last October and have been getting on grand. I get on with everyone and I thought I would be homesick but the time has flown by. It’s a laid back yard.

“This hands and heels series is a good thing – it teaches young jockeys not to be using the whip too much.

“I have 10 days booked to go home at Christmas so hope all goes well with that.

“I’m doing a lot of the backing of the yearlings that come into the yard, whether from the sales or homebreds. It’s very straightforward. To be honest I found a lot of those mountain ponies a lot harder as they could be wild, whereas the yearlings are all well-handled from the sales and the like.”

The call ended as Liam’s driver concentrated on getting the jockey to Wolverhampton for the evening’s rides but next stop promises a bit more glamour as Liam is off to Del Mar and the Breeders’ Cup where he will be part of the Hannon team.