First win for Magherafelt apprentice

THERE was great excitement at the Marsh Kyfe Equestrian Centre in Magherafelt last Saturday when Nathan Evans, son of proprietors Paul and Claire, won his first race on just his ninth ride.

The 17-year-old, who only got his licence last month, won the five furlong handicap at Thirsk on 16/1 shot Among Angels. The three-year-old Acclamation gelding, who was having his first start since the end of August, is trained by Mick Easterby to whom Nathan is apprenticed.

The previous Saturday, the jockey-partnered Easterby’s 20/1 shot Old Man Clegg to finish second to his stable-companion Hernando Torres over seven furlongs at Newcastle. That day, the jockey’s father Paul and brothers Harry and Yiayan travelled over to see him ride. The family is only learning about racing as, until Nathan signed up with the north Yorkshire trainer, they concentrated on show jumping.

In fact, the jockey’s first win came at a very opportune time as he represented Ireland on teams with Bertram Allen who finished third in the FEI world cup final in Las Vegas last Sunday. Hopefully, we will be hearing as much about Nathan in the future.