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A rider shooting for the stars as he revels in best season

David Jennings talks to the Irish rider earning lavish praise

Billy Lee: the best rider in Ireland, according to Willie McCreery
Billy Lee: very impressed by Ming at NavanCredit: Caroline Norris

He was probably wrapped up in the moment or drunk on Champagne Or Water, but when Willie McCreery was asked to put into words what Billy Lee meant to him after the pair teamed up to land the Listed Listowel Stakes last month his reply raised a few eyebrows.

“To me, Billy Lee is the best rider in Ireland,” McCreery said without hesitation, and the kudos continued: “Billy is very kind, especially on fillies, and asks them instead of telling them. That's important to me as it means they improve from race to race. He gave me my first Group 1 winner too. He's different class.”

Lee laughs off that lavish praise.

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Deputy Ireland editor

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