McParland's dream debut winner provides perfect family fairytale

Young jockey Ronan McParland had long dreamed of riding his first winner on an Irish racetrack, but when the breakthrough finally arrived at Punchestown on Tuesday this week, the script could hardly have been written any better.

Tuckmill is a horse that has meant a great deal to the McParland family over the years. Owned by Ronan's grand-uncle Tom and trained by Peter Fahey, the ten-year-old carried family hopes into the William Hill Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle and produced a performance to remember.

Sent off at 12/1, Tuckmill was settled into a handy position after the two-mile mark before moving smoothly into contention. He took command rounding the home bend and, after jumping the final two flights fluently, powered clear for a convincing success.

The victory sparked scenes of delight among family and friends and marked a significant milestone for the 20-year-old Crookstown jockey.

"I had a couple of winners in the point-to-point but it's just really nice to get one under rules," said McParland.

"To do it in the family colours and on a horse that we've had so long is just great. It was nice to win for Peter Fahey too and give something back to him.

"And for it to be in Punchestown as well was so good."

A lot had to fall into place for the perfect story to unfold.

Tuckmill had run encouraging races at Bellewstown in August and then particularly so again when finishing third at Navan last month. Originally, he was due to run at Cork last Sunday, but McParland was hoping that plan would change.

"He was due to run in Cork but I was trying my best to get him not to run there because I wanted to ride a horse for James Nash in a point-to-point in Loughrea.

"Thankfully, he was entered in the race on Tuesday as well, so I was able to go and ride for James Nash and that horse won too, so it was a good few days."

The name of that James Nash-trained winner? Couldntmakeitup. You really couldn't.

Following Tuckmill's promising run at Navan, McParland travelled to Punchestown with plenty of confidence.

"Off the back of his last run, I knew he was back in love with the game again. He finished third there and this wasn't any better of a race, so if he stepped forward at all I thought he'd have a chance.

"I felt that if he travelled well early on he'd be right in the mix turning for home. I would have been disappointed if he hadn't been."

McParland comes from strong local sporting stock. His father, Bryan, was the long-time proprietor of the Stream Inn in Calverstown, while his mother, Aundrea, is a member of the well-known Tallon family from Kilgowan.

That makes the young jockey a cousin of former Kildare footballer Padraig Fogarty, while his aunt Siobhan's marriage to Johnny Doyle further strengthens the family's sporting connections. Grand-uncle Tom, meanwhile, is well known locally not only as an owner and breeder of horses but also for his years working at the Kildare Chilling Factory.

Many members of the family were on hand to celebrate the victory in the winners' enclosure.

"My grand-uncle was there, my uncle, my mother and a few others as well. Podge (Fogarty) was there with Paul Bell. My grandmother was there too.

"I had an uncle home from Australia and he was there as well. Thankfully my grand-uncle was there. He's not getting any younger and doesn't get racing too often anymore, so it was nice to have him there."

McParland is currently based in Wexford, where he rides out regularly for Colin Bowe.

"I'm in with Colin six mornings a week and then I go schooling for lots of different lads in the afternoon. I'd never really be idle and I'd often be working for somebody in the afternoon as well."

A couple of nasty falls and serious injuries, including a broken wrist and three fractured vertebrae in his back, have slowed his progress at times. However, with those setbacks behind him and his first success on the track under his belt, the young rider is determined to build on the breakthrough.

"I just want to get going as best I can and try to get as many winners as possible as an amateur. I love point-to-pointing, that's a big passion of mine, but I'd like to get as many rides on the track as I can as well.

"Maybe in a few years' time, if I can keep improving, I'd have the intention of turning professional.

"I'll probably get more rides than ever in the point-to-point this year. My boss has lots of horses and I'm there a while now, so I should get more opportunities on them. I'd try to be riding every weekend anyway."

Victories like Tuesday's, achieved for a respected trainer in Peter Fahey and on a horse with such deep family significance, can only help raise McParland's profile. He'll be hoping Tuesday's family fairytale is the first of many memorable days in racing