THE southern region meeting in Taghmon, Co Wexford had the stage to itself last weekend and it proved to be a memorable day for Sean Bowen and Ava Sugrue, both of whom registered their first winners.

Thirteen-year-old Clonmel jockey Sean Bowen made his breakthrough on Crystal Lady in the first split of the 14.2hh race. Sean sent the Tyner Syndicate-owned mare to the front from the flag-fall and he judged the fractions to perfection to win by two lengths from Its Father Ted under Julie McDonald.