Dream comes true for Cork jockey Graham Atkinson

Riding the favourite in the famous colours of JP McManus and on a Joseph O’Brien-trained gelding at the Curragh is a dream challenge for most jockeys.

But for amateur Graham Atkinson, first past the post at the famed Kildare racecourse on Sunday last was “a million dreams come true”.

The emotional Co Cork man said: “I’m speechless,” but added: “For 20, almost 30 years I’ve been in this game and it’s the first time I’ve ever crossed the line in front, I just can’t believe it!