Memorable first win on British soil for Mullingar’s Chloe Lyons

Mullingar apprentice jockey Chloe Lyons celebrated a major career milestone at Wolverhampton on Saturday when she rode her first winner on British soil aboard Grand Duchess Olga.

The 22-year-old guided the 12/1 shot to victory in a competitive seven-runner contest over 1m 6f at the all-weather track, defeating several seasoned riders including Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle. It marked a richly deserved breakthrough moment for Chloe after 22 attempts.

Chloe began her racing journey under the guidance of Ciaran Murphy and Dot Love at Charlestown Stud, Mullingar, where she rode three times and obtained her Irish licence. Their early belief in her potential laid the foundations for what is now a promising career in the UK.

“Ciaran and Dot gave Chloe the start, and she’ll always be extremely grateful to them,” said her mother Loren Crowley. “They got her going and gave her the first opportunity when she didn’t know what was next.”

Chloe's proud dad Stephen Lyons has played a major role in her career also and nurtured her love of the sport over many years. It's a proud achievement for both Loren and Stephen and a memory to savour for Chloe's siblings.

Chloe moved to Britain in her late teens and progressed through stints with Mike Murphy and Michael Keady, followed by TJ Kent in Newmarket, before joining her current yard with Julia and Shelley Birkett.

After the race, Chloe reflected on the win, confident that she had ridden the best horse in the race and undeterred by a stewards enquiry.

"Turning in for home, I felt I had too much horse underneath me... Three furlongs out, I had to go for it... She did it really well."

Following the stewards’ enquiry due to a slight drift in the final stages, the result stood, with no interference noted.

Chloe is set to ride again on Friday next at Doncaster and, with confidence growing, it’s clear this victory won’t be her last. Indeed, the town of Mullingar will be keeping a much closer eye from now on and willing her to further success.

The Mullingar rider’s achievement is a proud moment for her family and her hometown and a testament to the grassroots support from Charlestown Stud that helped get her there.

Read the full story in this week's Westmeath Examiner.