55-year-old apprentice rides his second ever winner in Ireland on the same horse in the space of a week

Iqbal Khan, a 55-year-old 7lb claimer from Pakistan, recorded his second winner in Ireland when successful at Dundalk on Wednesday evening.

His first had come just seven days earlier on Lahore Da King, and he partnered the same Tony Mullins-trained runner to land the 7f handicap at odds of 4-1. The horse is owned by Khan’s son-in-law Mudassar Rafiq, who was among those celebrating the success.

Khan was a jockey in Pakistan before moving to Ireland 20 years ago and has spent most of that time working for Jim Bolger.

Flying his native flag in the winner's enclosure, Khan was joined by Rafiq, who said: “Khan is from Lahore which is why the horse is named that. Tony Mullins trains the horse really well and he’s given Khan a chance and he’s proved he can still ride at 55. He only rides my horses and for Mullins now.

“It was a really good ride and I’m delighted with back-to-back wins. I can’t explain my feelings, I’m so happy – it’s very special.”

Khan made headlines for the wrong reasons in 2023 when, on his first ride in Ireland, he was suspended for ten days by the stewards for using his whip with excessive frequency. He was again sanctioned last Wednesday, receiving a two-day ban for his whip use in his previous success on Lahore Da King.

Perhaps mindful of that, Khan took his mount to the front turning for home before doing enough to hold off Profit Surge by half a length.

“The last furlong I went easy,” Khan told Racing TV. “Not too much whipping, only pushing. I still feel very fit for my age – I run every day. I love horses.”

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