JACQUELINE KIDD WINS FOR IRELAND AT NEWTON ABBOT

02-09-2008

Unlike 2007’s return match of the Anglo-Irish Ladies challenge which was abandoned at Newton Abbot due to waterlogging, this year’s return match on 20th August  was lucky to survive an inspection with a repeat in the weather!   Sponsored for the first time by AT THE RACES, only 6 runners went to post, 2 teams of 3 each, with Ireland represented by Sharon Dunphy, Jacqueline Kidd and Lisa O’Neill and Great Britain represented by Faye Bramley, Gemma Gracey-Davison and Zoe Lilly.  Setting a very steady pace, the girls took their time, with the tempo increasing in the final home straight and Gemma Gracey-Davison looking the likely winner at the penultimate flight.  However, Jacqueline Kidd quickened away in a driving finish to secure this year’s series for Ireland.   Jacqui is of course no stranger to us, having won the runner-up slot to Rose Davidson in this year’s 2007/2008 Ladies NH Amateur Jockey Championship as well as winning the 2008 Cadale Ladies Hurdle Series this spring.  Many thanks to At The Races for their generous sponsorship (and great interviews!) and to Limerick and Newton Abbot racecourses (especially Jason Loosemoore and Angus Houston) for their great support, and we look forward to the 2008/2009 challenge which will return with fresh teams to Limerick this November and Newton Abbot next summer.