Sam Ewing has first racecourse rides at Roscommon

 

The 16-year-old has been one of the leading riders on the pony racing circuit, riding his 100th winner in that sphere last August, having also won the prestigious Dingle Derby. 

 

The latter success in 2017 came for Downpatrick man Brian Laird when competing against the likes of Shane Crosse, Ben Coen, Andrew Slattery and Dylan Browne-McMonagle, all of whom have made the successful transition to Apprentice Jockey’s on the track, which Ewing hopes to follow in the footsteps of.

 

Both of the ten-pound claimers rides come for Meath trainer Ger Lyons, with stable jockey Colin Keane on the sidelines having picked up a two-day suspension for careless riding at Leopardstown, and each of Ewing’s mounts made the frame on his introduction.

 

The Antrim youngster guided the Kodiac newcomer Dress Code to third in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies maiden, whilst recent Gowran Park runner-up Avarice had to once again settle for second as he chased home Paddy Twomey's Bolivar in the Irish Stallion Farms maiden at 2.30pm.

With heavy rain drastically altering conditions, the Roscommon fixture was blighted by a number of non-runners which also included Ewing's intended final mount of the day, as he had been set to ride the top weight, Marchons Ensemble in the Athlone Handicap before he was withdrawn.

 

Ewing has followed his father Warren into race-riding with the now successful handler having recorded 95 successes between the flags from 1987 to 2003.