Teenage jockey John Gleeson, 18, claims a surprising victory in his first ever trip at Cheltenham Pageant after A Dream To Share romps dwelling within the Weatherbys Champion Bumper
There was a really particular conclusion to day two of the Cheltenham Festival when 18-year-old John Gleeson steered John Kiely’s A Dream To Share to an exhilarating Weatherbys Champion Bumper success.
The 85-year-old Kiely has gained many large races all through a protracted and distinguished profession within the coaching ranks, however one notable omission was a victory on the Pageant.
He discovered the proper ally to fill that void within the unbeaten five-year-old, who was bred and beforehand owned by ITV and RTE presenter Brian Gleeson and his spouse Claire.
He headed to Prestbury Park on the again of a win on the Dublin Racing Pageant final month, and with new homeowners, having been snapped as much as run within the colors of JP McManus.
However the 7-2 probability remained the mount of the youthful Gleeson who produced a trip befitting a person with far more expertise than his tender years and somebody experiencing the white-hot ambiance of the Pageant for the primary time.
Jockey John Gleeson celebrates profitable the Champion Bumper with A Dream to Share
Rounding the house bend, he had Patrick Mullins and the 16-5 favorite Reality To File in his sights and it was not lengthy earlier than he was asking his mount for an effort – quickening neatly within the rain-sodden floor to breeze previous his outdated rival and make sure Leopardstown type in a win to recollect.
Kiely stated: ‘I used to be all the time pleased with the horse during, he is been a pleasant horse since day one however I used to be involved concerning the floor at the moment to be sincere.
‘I knew the horse was tip-top however I used to be frightened concerning the floor so I am delighted with the best way it labored out.
‘Simply with the bottom I frightened that he’d get there too quickly, however the younger man was incredible. He is been coming in each morning to trip him. He’ll muck out and he’ll do every little thing, I simply hope he retains his ft on the bottom now.
‘I have been coming right here since 1976 and we had the winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle in 1993 with Shuil Ar Aghaidh (educated by his brother, Paddy).
‘I am 86 in Could, I gave up driving three years in the past with Covid. I’ve spent my life in racing, you by no means assume as a teenager you’d get to be on this hallowed spot.
‘This horse is called nicely is not he, they named him on Christmas day as a household, A Dream To Share, it is beautiful.’
The profitable rider stated: ‘I can not consider how easily it went, to be sincere. Did that simply occur? I can not consider it.
‘We form of got down to maintain it easy. The bottom was a bit poached in all places, however we thought on the skin it was a bit higher.
‘The bottom is kind of holding, so we determined to take our time and he did it so nicely. I adopted Patrick and it labored out so completely.
‘Simply to be right here on the Pageant, it is unreal. To have a winner for John Kiely on the Cheltenham Pageant – that man is so good to me and I can not thank him sufficient. To Mr McManus as nicely, for letting me maintain the trip, I am very grateful.
‘It is very particular. We’re a small crew at dwelling, however we strive our greatest to get to the large stage and to win is unbelievable.
‘I’ve recognized John for so long as I can keep in mind and I trip this horse day-after-day earlier than going into college. I’ve needed to park the books for every week, but it surely was undoubtedly value it!
The 18-year-old jockey claimed a surprising victory in his first ever trip at Cheltenham Pageant
‘My mum named the horse on Christmas Day a few years again and my dad will get an incredible kick out of it.’
Gleeson senior stated: ‘It is large. Cheltenham Pageant, together with your son driving, in these colors and educated by a maestro in John Kiely – it is practically a e-book!
‘The horse was named by my spouse Claire. We all the time say every little thing good in life is value sharing and this horse we all the time thought was good.
‘The dream was to have a winner on the Cheltenham Pageant educated by John Kiely. He is 86 in Could and now he is had his first Pageant winner – it is fairytale stuff.’
