Wesley Joyce will have his first ride for trainer and legendary jockey Johnny Murtagh this afternoon at Dundalk.
The 18-year-old is working at Murtagh's yard as an apprentice after graduating from the Moyross Youth Academy and the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE).
He will partner Misterio in the opening race at Dundalk, the five furlong Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap at 4pm.
Speaking ahead of the race, Joyce said: "I went to RACE and I got a placement here at Johnny's. Then Covid came and I had to go back come. Then Johnny rang my ma and said there's a house here in the yard if I wanted to move up.
"The next day I moved up. It's nice to work here. The boss is nice, everyone's nice in the yard."
Murtagh added: "I remember my first ride like it was yesterday. Very nervous going to the Phoenix Park with Jimmy O'Neill. Went in, Dave Fox the valet looked after me. He gave me everything.
"I'm trying to tell them that this is going to happen very, very quickly. It will be over before you realise it.
"For me, it takes you 15-20 rides just to get into the swing of things - get the pace, get how quick it all happens."
On Joyce, Murtagh said: "He rides very well. He's a bit of a natural. He's very natural on a horse. Horses like him, but it's the next step now."
Ireland and Munster rugby star Keith Earls was among those to wish Joyce luck ahead of the race.
He tweeted: "Great to see best of luck Wesley."
