AT about the same time as Patrick Mullins was winning a Grade 1 chase at Aintree on Gaelic Warrior, another amateur rider was enjoying his first racecourse winner at Naas.

Adam Leahy (22) from Old Leighlin in Co Carlow not only rode Party President to win a handicap hurdle, he also owns the horse which he has in training with Tony Mullins.

With three point-to-point winners also to his credit, Adam turns professional next week, having been advised to do so by his boss Shark Hanlon.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing though as Adam missed the first three months of the year with a broken hip, and it was his own horse who inflicted the injury on him in the Naas parade ring last December.

Recalling the incident, Adam told us: “I had just got mounted when he reared up and I fell back. At first I thought I was only winded but after 30 seconds the pain took over in my lower body. It was awful.”

Adam was taken to Tallaght Hospital and had surgery the next day. He was home a day later and after 10 days in bed he was put into an Irish Injured Jockeys rehab programme by Dr Jennifer Pugh. “I went to Wayne Middleton and Gavin Egan three or four days a week. It was hard work but I was back riding three months to the day after my accident and I’d say I am stronger now than I was before the fall.”

In the meantime Tony Mullins had got more experience into Party President and connections fancied him for his handicap debut last week, which he won well.

“Full credit to Tony for doing a great job with the horse,” Adam said, “and I’d like to mention Tom and Magette Meagher of Kedrah House Stud. They bred the horse and sponsored me in point-to-points, and they were the first to congratulate me when the horse won.”

Adam says he is not going to sell Party President yet. “We’re going to go for another handicap and maybe even go chasing with him next season. Hopefully I can ride him again, depending on the weights.”

Trainers interested in booking Adam can call him on 083 0461911.