It has been called the 'ride of the season' after Hugh Morgan steered Young Dev to victory at Navan today without his irons for the majority of the race.
The Kilkenny jockey's feet slipped out of his irons before the second fence of the Racing Again March 6th Handicap Steeplechase.
It made for a very uncomfortable three miles for the 24-year-old jockey around the undulating Meath track.
But not only did Morgan complete the course on Young Dev, he was remarkably able to cajole the17/2 shot to victory.
Racing TV pundit and legendary jockey Ruby Walsh said: "110 out of 10 to Hugh Morgan. That is horsemanship at its absolute best. Take a bow."
Explaining what had happened, Morgan said: “My right stirrup broke after the first and I kicked it out. I’m grand at the minute, but I’d say I’ll be sore in the morning!
“The horse had run plenty of times, so I said I might as well keep going. It took a bit of getting used to going down to the fences without them (irons) and I just left him to sort himself out and gave him a squeeze.
“It was great – it was something new anyway! It’s my first ride for Denis [Hogan], so it’s very important to get a win.”
