Teenage jockey Josh Williamson wins his first race at Clonmel

A slice of racing historical past was once made at Clonmel Racecourse in Co. Tipperary, Eire, on Thursday (26 October) when teenage jockey Josh Williamson rode his first winner over hurdles.

The landmark good fortune got here 36 years after the schoolboy’s father, the mythical Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Norman Williamson, rode his first winner on the similar observe and, much more coincidentally, each debut victories got here on gray horses.

Seventeen-year-old Josh’s win got here with an excellent journey at the Edward O’Grady-trained home-bred Housemartin within the Kilclooney Woods (QR) handicap hurdle in heavy going over two miles and half of a furlong.

“It was once my first time sitting on him – I’ve simplest been into Edward’s a handful of instances, so it was once excellent of him to let me journey him,” mentioned Josh, who crossed the road greater than 4 lengths in entrance at the six-year-old, who was once despatched off at odds of 15/2.

“It was once a terrific enjoy. I used to be a few duration in entrance as we jumped the final and once we landed and he picked up once more, that’s once I began to calm down somewhat and I used to be thrilled to win.”

A rapturous go back for the schoolboy jockey

In 1987, the primary of Norman Williamson’s 1,268 winners got here at Clonmel on Jack ‘N’ Jill and teacher Edward O’Grady was once instrumental all over Williamson senior’s driving occupation, the duo combining to win the very best inexperienced persons’ hurdle on the Cheltenham Competition in 2003.

Norman was once amongst a robust contingent at Clonmel final week to offer Josh and Housemartin a rapturous welcome to the winner’s enclosure.

“There have been a large number of other folks there – together with my Granny Trish,” mentioned Josh. “She flew over and concept she was once going to omit the race however she were given in simply in time!”

After the jubilations at Clonmel, Josh went directly to journey in two extra races at Sligo the next day to come, completing 2nd at the Gordon Elliott-trained Bleu De Vassy, then he was once again in motion once more at Galway on Sunday (29 October) – a some distance cry from the typical schoolboy’s half-term spoil.

Josh has two extra years in school however he rides out for Gordon Elliott on weekends and at each different alternative and he credit his college for permitting him time clear of the school room when required: “They have got been excellent to me – there’s an figuring out that that is my interest,” he instructed H&H.

From Ecu eventing champion to hurdling good fortune

Josh was once a part of the gold medal-winning Irish pony group on the Ecu championships in 2022 however says, “Ever since I began driving ponies, I couldn’t wait to show 16 to get my licence.

“Even whilst I used to be eventing, I used to be ready so that you can journey in racing.

“I’d like to visit faculty and juggle it with race-riding on the similar time and spot how that works out – it’s labored out for my first cousin Harry Swan, so it might be nice to do the similar.”

Many of us have noticed the similarity between Josh’s driving taste and that of his father Norman, who accomplished the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double on Alderbrook and Grasp Oats in 1995.

“My dad is a brilliant assist and after each journey he’ll pass during the race with me – even supposing he couldn’t watch it, he’ll communicate me thru it and inform me what I did fallacious, inform me what I did proper,” Josh mentioned. “I believe it should be genes or one thing, despite the fact that.”

The longer term appears very vivid for this younger ability.

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H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her function as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her all over the world reporting from presentations and interviewing riders, connections and the ones concerned in the back of the scenes. Since becoming a member of H&H from BBC Game in 2005, she has written on each matter around the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to solid control — and has interviewed gold medallists, international champions and winners galore. She additionally has first-hand enjoy of operating within the equestrian trade as a driving trainer and backyard supervisor.