FORMER pony show jumper Emily Costello partnered her first point-to-point winner on New Year’s Day when Keep Me Posted landed the winners of two race at the United Foxhounds’ meeting at Ballindenisk.

The now 19-year-old last competed in registered jumping in early December 2019 when she finished fourth in the 148cms 1.20m championship at Cavan on Hello Noble Lady. That 2007 Warrenstown You 2 mare Hello Noble Lady had been campaigned previously by Emily’s sisters Sarah and Laura. The last-named, who also recorded her first point-to-point success on Keep Me Posted (in a five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Ballycahane last March) produced Hello Noble Lady as a four-year-old.

“I competed three times at Dublin (on Hello Noble Lady in 2019, on Coumbrack Mr in 2018 and on Knock Your Socks Off in 2015) but once I started riding out the racehorses at home, I decided that I would prefer racing. My father Dermot and his brothers were all great point-to-point riders in their day and I hope to pick up some more rides now that I have that first winner under my belt.

“My uncle Tom trains Keep Me Posted and I ride out for him and for another Co Clare trainer, Aengus King, who gave me a ride in a bumper during the summer. I’m in first year studying Ag Science in UCD and live with my sister Jenny, who is Laura’s twin and a teacher in Dublin, during the week but go home every weekend.

“Keep Me Posted, who runs in my mother Claire’s name, is a six-year-old by Shirocco who has never finished worse than third in five starts (three under Laura, two under Emily). He may be sold, we’re not sure as yet, but there are a few young ones at home who should be out shortly.”