Sean Flanagan had his first ever Cheltenham winner on Tuesday, riding 80/1 shot Jeff Kidder to victory for Noel Meade in the Boodles hurdle.
Remarkably, the Wexford jockey flew himself to the Cotswolds for the festival.
"A first success for Sean Flanagan, flew himself over, and rode a winner," Ruby Walsh told Racing TV's The Road To Cheltenham Wrap.
"He flew himself over. It was his last flight with his instructor to get his licence. He passed his test, got his pilot licence, and rode his first Cheltenham winner."
JEFF KIDDER! 🇮🇪
A huge 80/1 winner of the Boodles!
Brilliant ride from Sean Flanagan and a brilliant winner for Noel Meade!#CheltenhamFestival #VMTVRacing pic.twitter.com/ocSBtBhuWc— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 16, 2021
Flanagan took over from Paul Carbery as Meade's stable jockey in 2016.
"As I said when I got the opportunity, I was never going to fill those boots," Flanagan told ITV Racing.
"I said I'd pull up my own ones and see how we get on. Noel has been stellar for my career; if I didn't have him, I wouldn't be riding. I can't believe I'm after riding a festival winner, it's my third winner in the UK.
"Coming here, we knew he was in great form. Noel was adamant that he had a big chance. I just worried that he hadn't got enough experience but then again they're all in the same boat [in this race]. In Fairyhouse, he won on very heavy ground. The bit of nicer ground today brought out the best in him."
Photo credit: Hugh Routledge/Sportsfile
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