Former Cumani assistant Patrick Owens saddles his first winner at Chelmsford

One of Newmarket's newest recruits to the training ranks was celebrating at Chelmsford on Thursday as Patrick Owens sent out his first winner with only his second runner.

Owens, who has amassed a wealth of experience as former assistant to Luca Cumani as well as the likes of Eddie Kenneally, Mike Doyle and Erwan Charpy, took out a licence last August and is based at the Authorized Yard at St Gatien Stables.

His second runner, Venusta, earned a share of the spoils when dead-heating in the mile apprentice fillies' handicap.

Watch Venusta give Patrick Owens his first winner

Venusta, ridden by Finley Marsh, dug deep to help get Owens on the board as she was joined on the line by favourite Agent Of Fortune.

A delighted Owens said: "I'm on cloud nine. This is unbelievable. I knew I could do it, but the feeling of elation is unbelievable.

"I'm so happy for the horse, the owner [Paul Cairns], Kevin, who works for me and does such a good job and my partner Amy. If it wasn't for them and the owners I wouldn't be here.

"I thought Venusta was beat but I had a lot of faith in her and knew she had it in her. I'm over the moon and hopefully it's the first of many."

Owens, who also spent time pre-training for some of Newmarket's biggest yards, has started from scratch with a string of six and added: "I've had no financial backing or anything and it's brilliant. I'll be at the sales tomorrow with my chest out and hopefully someone might want to have one with me!"

Fellow rookie trainer James Ferguson, son of former trainer and Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson, also celebrated his maiden winner on Thursday when Arabian King scored at Southwell.

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