Alan Crowe, 15, got his riding career off to the best possible start when successful on the Christy Roche-trained Teacher Preacher, his first ever ride under rules, in the Glebe Handicap at a rain-sodden Roscommon last evening.
Crowe, who hails from Roche's hometown of Bansha in Co Tipperary, is a graduate from the pony riding circuit and only signed up with the Curragh-based handler last week. Teacher Preacher was sent to the front over half a mile out but appeared beaten when headed briefly by Shahnaad inside the final furlong. However, the five-year-old mare rallied to great effect in the closing stages to beat the fast-finishing Brackloon Boy by a neck, with Shahnaad a short-head back in third.
Roche was successful again just half an hour later but this time in his role as jockey when partnering Buncrana to land the Abbey Maiden.
The Charles O'Brien-trained filly was sent to the front well over a furlong out by Roche, now on the 62 winner mark for the campaign, and kept on well to beat Bold Tycoon.
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