The birthday success came as Redcar staged the north’s first apprentice-only race meeting on day three of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival.
“It’s the perfect present,” said tree surgeon Nathan, who owns the filly in partnership with Jedburgh trainer Gary Rutherford.
The winner of the Celebration of Tanker Finally Retiring Apprentice Handicap was ridden by Rhys Elliott, who rode for Nathan on the flapping tracks before he got his licence.
“I couldn’t have anyone better riding my first winner under rules on my birthday,” said Nathan.
Gary added: “She’s been unlucky and was due a win. We picked her up fairly cheaply and she’s had three seconds and now a win in six runs.”
Warren Fentiman showed why he’s considered to be a rising star by landing the Sky Bet Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival Apprentice Handicap on Double Parked.
It was his first winner for Tim Easterby – the Malton yard his dad Duran has served with such distinction.
Double Parked showed a great attitude to stick his neck out and hold off favourite Immediate Effect and Gloriously Sassy in a close finish.
Warren said: “The step up to a mile suited him and it looks like he’s turning into a nice horse who battles all the way to the line.”
Assistant trainer William Easterby said: “Warren gave him a cracking ride. He judged it really well and saved a bit for the end. With his dad such a big part of the yard, we’ve obviously known Warren since he was very young, and he’s got his head screwed on the right way.
“Double Parked is also going the right way. He got the trip well and just has a fantastic attitude.”
Jockey Jack Nicholls made headlines at Redcar in May 2023 when he won by five lengths in his first ever race.
Two years on, the son of trainer Adrian Nicholls was back in the Redcar winner’s enclosure after easily taking the opening race, the Racing TV Free Trial Apprentice Handicap, on course specialist Eeetee for veteran Malton trainer John Wainwright.
The trainer added: “The horse loves the track, the softer ground helped, and the rider is a very good lad, so everything was in his favour.”
“A horse on the up” was how jockey Liam Wright described Zou’s Your Daddy after the gelding, trained at Newmarket by George Scott was brought with a well-timed run to win The Sky Bet Extra Apprentice Restricted Maiden Stakes.
Liam said the son of Zoustar had benefited from a wind op, adding: “He was the class horse on form and the wind operation has definitely helped. He hit the line strong and is a great ride.”
Elemental Eye, trained in the Scottish borders by Iain Jardine and ridden by Mohammed Tabti, took the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Handicap in good style.
Owners Alan Hynd and Mark Dolder play local cricket in the Northumberland leagues and call their racing partnership ‘The Cricketers’.
Elemental Eye was breaking his maiden at the 21st attempt and Alan said: “It’s been a long time coming and we’ve had to be patient but Mohammed was brilliant on him. It’s nice to see him hit ’em for six!”
Oisin McSweeney was another young rider seen to good effect on Berkshire Phantom to give North Yorkshire trainer Fionn McSharry her ninth winner.
Fionn, former travelling head girl with Richard Fahey, is in her second season as a trainer and has shown her versatility with winners over both codes and all kinds of distances.
She said: “This horse ran well to be third at Beverley over this new trip and he’s in good form but he needs holding onto as long as possible.”
Malton trainer Julie Camacho was full of praise for talented young jockey Tom Kiely-Marshall after Holbache won the finale, the Racing TV Apprentice Handicap.
“Tom does a brilliant job because he’s not an easy ride and he rides him all the time at home,” she said.