WATCH: Young Limerick jockey Calum Hogan celebrates first racecourse success

A TALENTED young Rathkeale jockey enjoyed a memorable evening on the racecourse when partnering his first ever winner at Limerick. 

Rathkeale handler Eric McNamara always enjoys saddling a winner at Greenmount Park but he got more of a kick from giving young Calum Hogan – son of former jockey Ray Hogan – his first winner on Bear Claws in the 16-runner Limerick Racecourse Apprentice Handicap.

Sixteen-year-old Hogan belied his inexperience with an excellent ride, not panicking and focusing on maintaining his horse’s balance as he delivered his challenge up the rail for a cosy success at 33/1 on Friday.

The exciting Hogan only made his racecourse debut at Dundalk Racecourse in February. Friday night's victory came on just his fifth ride in total after getting a month's racing experience in the UK with trainer David O'Meara.

Last year, Calum made the transition from the pony racing circuit to signing on as an apprentice with up and coming young trainer Donnacha O'Brien, based near Cashel, Co Tipperary.

Congratulations to Calum Hogan on his first winner at @LimerickRaces last night - and a top ride, too, aboard 33/1 chance Bear Claws. @Calumhogan4 pic.twitter.com/9EzRDWhKRt

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 24, 2023

Calum, who has completed fifth year at Colaiste Na Trócaire in Rathkeale, plans to finish secondary school before concentrating full-time on his race riding career.

The promising young Limerick rider has had great success on the flapping scene, with Bubba Watson winning for his West Limerick connections at the famed Dingle Races on Derby day.

Calum spent his childhood riding his pony Trigger, before eventually riding out for Rathkeale trainer Eric McNamara at 11 years of age old under the watchful eye of his dad Ray, who has ridden plenty of winners as a National Hunt jockey himself.

Calum, who is the second oldest of four children to Ray and Rose, picked up the racing bug from a young age and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his dad Ray and first cousin Trevor Naughton. He is hoping to emulate the success of other top Limerick jockeys, including the likes of Emmet and Conor McNamara, Chris Hayes and Billy Lee.

Meanwhile, less than 24 hours before coolly steering Tahiyra to victory in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, Chris Hayes was doing his stuff on the domestic scene, recording victory in the Richmond Homes Handicap at Leopardstown on Thursday evening on board the Andy Oliver-trained Semblance Of Order.

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Lovely interview from @LimerickRaces yesterday with 16-year-old Calum Hogan after riding his first winner under Rules.

Good ride it was, too - a name to look out for! pic.twitter.com/1tRxVmc19H

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 24, 2023

The three-year-old Buratino gelding has been in a rich vein of form this year, finishing third and then winning at Sligo for another Limerick pilot, Billy Lee, before just being touched off with Hayes in the plate at Curragh Racecourse in May. The pair were on the right side of another head bobber this time around, finishing strongly to score by a neck.

Billy Lee combined with one of his main supporters, trainer Paddy Twomey as Gunzburg justified 5/4 favouritism when following up a promising debut run with an unextended three-quarter length victory in the ELECC Maiden at Down Royal on Friday. Stepping back to five furlongs suited and a step up to stakes class seems inevitable.

Eric McNamara made the long trip north pay on Saturday when saddling Londonofficecallin to a 9/2 triumph at Down Royal and in the process, providing in-form jockey Leigh Roche with a double on the card.

Upcoming Fixtures:

Ballinrobe – Monday, June 26 (First Race 5.15pm)

Naas – Wednesday, June 28 (First Race 5.30pm)

Curragh – Friday, June 30 (First Race 5pm)

Curragh – Saturday, July 1 (First Race 1.40pm)

Curragh – Sunday, July 2 (First Race 1.50pm)