CALLUM HAS A WINNING NAK

Rookie lands Ebor glory

BABY-FACED Callum Rodriguez enjoyed the biggest win of his career as he fired Nakeeta to victory in Europe’s richest handicap.

Rodriguez, 20, who chose riding over becoming a boxer, had suffered sleepless nights in the lead-up to the Ebor at York after connections started to plot victory in the famous race months ago.

Nakeeta failed to make the cut in last year’s contest but Scottish trainer Iain Jardine had mapped out a 12-month plan that would end with glory on the Knavesmire.

Rodriguez kept his cool to deliver the

12-1 shot at the perfect moment and he fended off the late lunge of favourite Flymetothestars to plunder the huge

£177,000 pot.

The rider, who was enjoying only his

41st career winner, said: “This is the stuff that dreams are made of.

“I have had sleepless nights because I have known I would be riding this horse for two months. I have spent a lot of time with Mr Jardine studying form and I have ridden Nakeeta a lot at home but this was the first time I had ridden him on the racecourse.

“Mr Jardine has had the Ebor in mind for a long time. He has been an unlucky loser in some of his races and it has worked out perfectly.

“I thought I had got to the front too soon and when the other horse came to me it actually helped my horse as he doesn’t like being in front.”

Rodriguez, originally from Lancaster, cut his teeth with trainer Richard Ford and is now apprentice to Michael Dods in Darlington.

It was former national hunt rider Jardine’s biggest success as a trainer.

He said: “Callum gave him a great ride. His 5lb claim made the difference.

“This has been the plan for some time. The horse has been unlucky in his races previously but I had to keep the faith.”