MANY congratulations to former East Down Pony Club member Sam Hamilton who, on just his third ride in a point-to-point, recorded his first win at Tattersalls Ireland last Sunday and did so on Yewtree Hill, the Kalanisi gelding he competed in three EI90 classes last year!

This was a breakthrough success for both horse and jockey, as it came in the second division of the concluding older horses’ maiden for novice riders. Amazingly, they won by a length from Relax To The Max, who is trained in Crossgar by Colin McBratney and was ridden by another former event rider from Downpatrick, Darragh Hanlon.

As an event horse, Yewtree Hill was owned by Sam’s mother Michelle but, on Sunday, the seven-year-old ran in the colours of his trainer, Brian Hamilton senior, the rider’s grandfather. Sam’s father, Brian Hamilton Junior, twice won the point-to-point championship in the Northern region and was one of the country’s leading amateur jockeys.

While he was always going to move into racing, Sam enjoyed three good seasons eventing the Connemara gelding Cahanagh Black Flyer. The combination recorded two EI90 (P) wins in 2021, were placed twice at EI100 (P) level the following season and won two EI100 (P) classes last year at their local track, Tullymurry. On their final outing together, they finished 11th of 28 – on their dressage score – in the EI100 (P) national championship at Kilguilkey House.

Now 21 years of age, Cahanagh Black Flyer, a son of Westside Mirah, has returned to his previous owner, Cara Lindsay, who competes him in working hunter classes. Sam, who turned 17 in July, has just started an apprenticeship in joinery and is extremely fortunate that his employers are involved in racing and are willing to allow him time off if he needs to go schooling or point-to-pointing.