Present gift-wrapped as Supple rolls back the years

Willie Supple got Dana’s Present up in the last stride to grab the spoils in a three-way photo finish to the Clipper Logistics Leger Legends Stakes at Doncaster yesterday.

Gay Kelleway, the first woman to ride a winner at Royal Ascot, looked home and hosed on Pelmanism when she hit the front a furlong out and took a couple of lengths out of the field.

However, the complexion of the race changed dramatically in the last 50 yards as Dana’s Present (12-1) snatched the verdict by a nose under a vigorous ride from Supple.

The judge could not separate Pelmanism (11-1) and Excellent Puck (12-1), ridden by recently-retired jumps jockey Jimmy McCarthy, as they dead-heated for second place.

Supple, born in Tralee, retired from race-riding in March 2012 after a career spanning 25 years.

He moved to Britain in 1998 and was made number two jockey to Hamdan Al Maktoum two years later.

The 45-year-old enjoyed considerable success in Britain and Dubai during his time with Sheikh Hamdan, which ended in 2006 when he returned to Ireland.

Supple said: “It was a good buzz to get back.

“It’s hard when you retire at first to know what to do, but it was good to get back and see the lads and I enjoyed it.

“It was good to get the winner. I must thank Kevin Prendergast for keeping me fit by letting me ride out five mornings a week.

“It’s great to come back to Yorkshire. I lived just up the road in Dishforth for a while and the people here were always good.

“I’m not sure how many winners I rode, over 1,500.

“I had a lot of good days at places like Ascot and York and I was lucky enough to get on a few of Godolphin’s horses.

“I won the Lockinge for Godolphin on Fly To The Stars (1999) and Dubai was very good to me.

“I thought I’d be third or fourth a furlong out. It wasn’t until the last 50 yards the horse really got going.

“It’s a great day and for a great cause.”

Kelleway said: “I think I went too soon, but he was just going so well.

“I had plenty of horse under me, but he’s a bit lazy and as soon as I stopped pushing he stopped. He gave me a great ride and I’m very thankful to Brian (Ellison, trainer) for letting me ride him.”