'This is my last day's racing' - Ciaran Mckee bows out with 80-1 winner

Wednesday: Wolverhampton

A visibly emotional Ciaran Mckee called time on his riding career after guiding 80-1 shot Macs Dilemma, the rank outsider of ten runners in the 7f handicap, to victory on his stable debut for the jockey’s longtime supporter John O'Shea.

Mckee, who is also O'Shea's head lad, was riding just his second winner of the year on the three-year-old formerly trained in Ireland by Eamon Sheehy.

Mckee told Sky Sports Racing: "I stopped riding in 2017 – I got a little bit heavy for the Flat. John's been a huge supporter of mine all the way through really and this is my last day's racing. In the new year I'm joining the BHA to become a starter."

O'Shea was full of praise for the jockey who had also ridden ten jumps winners for Gloucestershire-based trainer, and said: "He had two stints with me, first time as a jump jockey when he came from Alan King's. He got a bit heavy, got married and went to be head lad at Tom George's for a few years.

"Then, I think he just missed the riding, so we had a chat where he'd be the head lad and ride whatever rides I could get for him. His work ethic is second to none; there is nobody in racing that would deserve a couple of winners more than him."

There was no dream double on the day for Mckee as his final career ride, O'Shea's Bolly Bullet, failed to beat a rival in the 6f handicap.

The race was instead won by a combination previously unseen at Dunstall Park as Irish-based apprentice Oisin Orr made the trip worthwhile, riding a first winner at the track on Ballyare for jumps trainer Lucinda Russell on his only ride of the day.

Results, replays and analysis

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