Cheltenham second for jockey with strong Athlone connections

A jockey with a strong Athlone connection was in the limelight in Cheltenham today, after guiding a 25/1 shot to second place.

Sean Cleary-Farrell, a seven-pound claimer, put his advantage to great effect on top weight Gold Dancer in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase today at 2pm.

Cleary-Farrell belied his youth to produce a fantastic ride positioning his mount prominently throughout, before being past going up the hill by the eventual winner, Meetmebythesea, who won by four-and three-quarter lengths.

Gold Dancer is owned by Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud and trained by Willie Mullins.

Cleary-Farrell is a son of the late Athlone jockey Sean Cleary. He was born in 2003 days before the passing of his father in hospital, following a fall from a horse in a race in Galway.

Based in Carlow, where his mother Maggie resides, Cleary-Farrell has strong connections to the Athlone area.

His uncle Rory Cleary has enjoyed considerable success as a jockey, and his grandfather Tom Cleary from Carrickobrien, Athlone is a well-known horse trainer.

Another Athlone jockey Kielan Woods was due to ride one of the favourites Sixmilebridge, but the horse was withdrawn this morning due to concerns over the ground conditions.