Nicole Lockhead Anderson, a former five-star showjumper, secured her first winner under rules by taking the Blackrock College AFC Ladies National Handicap Chase at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival on Saturday. Riding The Gradual Slope, the 24-year-old Aberdeen native edged out the field by a head in a thrilling finish. The victory marks a successful transition from showjumping to horse racing.
Nicole Lockhead Anderson rode The Gradual Slope to victory in the 2m 5f handicap chase for amateur riders, which featured 17 runners. Trained by Sean O’Brien and owned by Mark McDonagh, the nine-year-old grey gelding, a son of Shantou, overcame early positioning issues to surge late, beating Caragh Monaghan on Vaureal in the final stride at 16/1 odds. It was Anderson's first attempt over fences under rules, as she told Horse & Hound: “It was great just to be offered a ride in the race, so to win was incredible.”
