THERE was a win for Team Ireland on the first evening of the 2024 Racing League. It was came courtesy of the George Boughey-trained Thunder Moor, who was headed before battling back to claim the five-furlong handicap under Billy Loughnane.

Loughnane ended the night at the top of the jockey standings on 108 points, with Callum Shepherd next in on 79 points.

Boughey said: “Everyone complains about prize money, me as much as anyone, but Racing League offers great prize money. We will keep supporting it as best we can.”

The East made a strong start with three winners on home soil at Great Yarmouth. Managed for the first time by ITV Racing’s Chris Hughes, The East picked up 163 points from the seven races to edge out reigning champions Ireland (153 points) on the opening night.

The East struck twice in the opening three races, with Callum Shepherd recording a double on Ed Dunlop’s in-form Walter Hartright in the extended 11-furlong handicap and the William Knight-trained Royal Velvet in the mile handicap.

1,000th win

Hayley Turner celebrated her 1,000th career win in the UK as she brought up a three-timer for The East on Dylan Cunha’s Expressionless in the 14-furlong handicap. Turner rode her first winner on Generate at Pontefract on June 4th, 2000.

She said: “It is really nice to do it. There are so many good girls riding behind me like Hollie [Doyle], and she will probably do it before the end of the season, so it is nice to get there first.”

Saffie Osborne, Racing League’s leading rider for the last two years, helped to leave Wales & The West (130.5 points) well-placed in third after she guided Clive Cox’s Pedro Valentino to victory.