IT was an afternoon to remember for apprentices Mikey Sheehy and Siobhan Rutledge who notched up the first victories of their respective careers in the two divisions of the apprentice riders’ handicap.

The first to strike was Sheehy (16) as The Lady’s Bid (10/1) got on top in the closing strides of her 10-furlong heat to edge out Alice Milligan by a head. Sheehy, who is apprenticed to Joseph O’Brien and only had his first ride late last month, was registering his initial success on a red letter day for his family, with his father, Eamonn, sending out two winners at Wexford. Meanwhile, this was a first career success for The Lady’s Bid who is owned by the Grange Racing Syndicate and was giving Kells-based trainer Paddy Rogers his first winner for three years.