Trophy bonus for jockey after River Icon victory

PERTH: Garritty lifts the Solheim Cup after thrilling finale to showcase race

Winning jockey Billy Garritty got his hands on a famous golf trophy at Perth yesterday after guiding River Icon to success in the Solheim Cup 2019 At Gleneagles Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

Trained in Carrutherstown by Iain Jardine, River Icon held off Murphy’s Law – also trained in Scotland – in a thrilling finale before Garritty and Jardine enjoyed the winner’s presentation complete with the Solheim Cup, at the racecourse for one day only.

It was a fitting race to mark the collaboration between Perth Racecourse and the 2019 Solheim Cup, with racegoers enjoying selfies galore alongside the trophy ahead of Europe taking on the USA at the family-friendly golf event at nearby Gleneagles in September.

Hazel Peplinski, racecourse chief executive, said: “What a fantastic race and what a brilliant afternoon.

“Racegoers have been intrigued to see the stunning Solheim Cup on display here today and it really whets the appetite for more world-class golf returning to Gleneagles this September.”

Paul Bush, director of events at VisitScotland, added: “It is exciting to showcase the 2019 Solheim Cup to another enthusiastic crowd at Perth Racecourse.

This is another example of sports working together to celebrate a worldclass event taking centre stage in Scotland, and the Perthshire community have been hugely engaged since we announced the 2019 Solheim Cup will take place in iconic Gleneagles.”

Elsewhere Lucky Robin was an all-the-way winner of the £16,000 Heineken UK Handicap Hurdle for Brian Hughes.

Trained by Brian Ellison and sent off at 5-1, the Malton raider kept on gamely from the final flight to trounce the favourite Chef De Troupe by two and a half lengths.

Hughes said: “His three previous wins all came at Market Rasen but he’s handled conditions here well. There was a little concern about the ground but he’s found plenty and dug deep.”

Gordon Elliott and Richard Johnson teamed up for a short-priced double with Braid Blue and Creadan Grae.

The success of Creadan Grae saw four-time champion Johnson reach his half century for the 2019-20 campaign.

Next up at Perth Racecourse is the annual Summer Carnival on Saturday August 17, with just a small number of centre course tickets remaining.

For more information on Perth’s 2019 racing season and to purchase tickets visit www.perth-races.co.uk.

Picture: Grossick Photography. Billy Garritty with the trophy after his win for trainer Iain Jardine in the Solheim Cup Hurdle at Perth yesterday.