Jonjo O'Neill Jr paid tribute to JP McManus' daughter-in-law Emma after winning on board Flight Deck this afternoon.
The young jockey rode the horse to victory in the IML Marine Management Handicap Hurdle at Bangor-on-Dee.
It was the first winner for JP since Emma's tragic passing, with the horse racing owner withdrawing his runners from all races following her death in Barbados over Christmas.
Emma McManus, 40, a Trinity College graduate, and daughter of former Irish tennis star and businessman Peter and Paula Ledbetter, died suddenly on December 30th.
Horses owned by the businessman began running again on Wednesday.
Trained by his dad, O'Neill Jr partnered the 9/2 shot to success in the famous green and gold silks at the Welsh racecourse.
Speaking after the race, the jockey told Sky Sports Racing: "I'm delighted to get the win for JP and Noreen [JP's wife] today.
"There was a family tragedy with Emma and we're all thinking about John [JP's son].
"It was a travesty. Noreen bred this horse herself so it's an emotional one."
Emma had been enjoying post-Christmas festivities with loved ones at the family’s private residence near the Sandy Lane hotel and golf resort co-owned by JP McManus , after she had suddenly complained of feeling unwell.
Speaking at her memorial service earlier this week, her husband John told mourners: "Life has changed irreparably for us all.
“No words can describe the pain and sense of loss that I feel since my beautiful Ems passed away. She was the very centre of our family and the person who the kids and I turned to for everything,”
