MANY congratulations to Kells, Co Antrim rider Neil Gault who recorded his first point-to-point success at Farmacaffley last Saturday.

The 24-year-old, who is in his second season with a licence, rides mainly for the Ross yard in Newtownabbey. However, it was his granduncle, John Bryson from Doagh, who provided him with the winning mount on Gonal in the concluding older geldings’ maiden at the Tynan & Armagh meeting.

“I used to work mainly with half-breds, breaking and producing them to sell,” said Neil. “I only got into racing about two years ago and had my first ride at Toome in April last year. That was also on Gonal and we were last of the five who finished (nine starters). I have one horse of my own, Puddle Alley, and I keep him with John’s brother Billy as he lives closer to me.

“My family would have an interest in racing but the weather was so bad on Saturday that none of them came to the meeting. They’ve had too many experiences of bad days and are now wise!”

In eight rides last season, Neil finished fourth at best. He has had a similar number of mounts this term and was most unlucky not to get off the mark at last month’s Ward Union fixture near Oldtown where the Eyssen Ross-trained Vandergraaf was beaten a head into second in the novice riders’ maiden.

In a similar race today at Tyrella, Gault is due to ride the Ross-trained Fluffball. The seven-year-old Westerner gelding runs in the colours of trainer turned bloodstock agent Brian Lusk who was at the launch of the Downpatrick racing season on Wednesday.