BACK in 2007 an eight-year-old rider called Jack Kennedy rode his first ever winner in pony racing and both Daniel King and Daniel Gilligan, who both rode their first winners last Sunday in Ballyferriter, will be hoping their careers can follow a similar path.

The 11-year-old Kanturk, Co. Cork rider Daniel King, a brother of flat jockey Connor, was the first to make the breakthrough as he led from four furlongs out before holding the late challenge of Carrig Ava by a neck.

The runner-up was ridden by Daniel’s brother Rory, and the winner is trained at home by his father Richard, who owns it in partnership with Seamus Carey.

To make it a great day for the Kings, Rory went on to ride a double.

Rory, who is 14 years old, took the 14.2hh race on the family-owned Rosa Park, sitting in fifth spot through the first part of the race before delivering his challenge inside the final furlong and narrowly coming out ahead of Crystal Lady and Michael O’Connor. King then teamed up with the Castle Racing Syndicate-owned Pablo Escobar, who made all to win 10-furlong race in impressive fashion.

breakthrough

Craughwell, Co. Galway rider, 10-year-old Daniel Gilligan, son of National Hunt trainer Paul, made his breakthrough in the 14hh race where he rode Bubalicious to victory for his mother Natalie and brother Liam.

The winner was always holding Obe One Knobi, on whom Darragh Moriarty was also seeking his first winner.

Darragh O’Keeffe was another rider in double form and he took the two-mile race on Horan’s Cross for Abbeyfeale owner Tom Cahill.

The rider had the proven beach specialist in front all the way and they stretched clear over the final quarter-mile to win well.

O’Keeffe then teamed up with locally-based Joe O’Brien to take the maiden race with The Three Sisters, delivering his mount with a smooth run from four furlongs out to win well.

Ross Sugrue is one of the most improved riders on the circuit and he had his biggest winner to date as he landed the 12-furlong Beal Ban Derby on Monday Blues for his father Ray.

Riding in the Total Enjoyment colours previously worn by Bryan Cooper in pony racing, Sugrue saved crucial ground on the tight bend into the finishing stretch before sprinting home.

Bandon rider Michael O’Connor has made great progress in his first full season pony racing and he teamed up with the Dooks-based McGillicuddy stable to win the 15hh race with Red Handed.

Trained on the beach, Red Handed made most of the running, she was another to save crucial ground on the bend and once she gained the initiative she never looked likely to surrender it as she won from the Danny Sheehy-ridden English Bill.

The Killinaule, Co. Tipperary rider Andrew Slattery registered his second win of the season when he rode Temple Hill Tamara for John Joe O’Keeffe to win the 12.2hh race, bringing the winning sequence of Conor Walsh and Tail To Tail to an end and making a great start to the week that saw his father land the big handicap in Galway on Tuesday night with Creggs Pipes.