Ryan Treacy has made a dream start to his professional career as a jockey, riding two winners in a week including a 66-1 shot in on his first ever outing.

The 18 year old from Donagh only gave up his amateur status last month, but he has already notched up two memorable successes for trainer Oliver Brady.

"On my first ride back he gave me a ride at Downpatrick on a horse called Flamenco Prince, and he won at 66-1," said Ryan. "He had never won before. It was a bit of a surprise for me and for Oliver as well. He couldn't believe it. I led the whole way and three fences out a horse passed me and by the last fence he was fifth, but he got home by half a length. The horse started to stay on for me and get into gear. I had only got my licence on the Monday and on Tuesday had ridden a winner! It felt amazing. Then I had three rides in Kilbeggan on the Friday but I had no winners there, fourth was my best. Then on Tuesday, which was seven days later, I rode at Galway in the feature race, and won it on Imperial Shabra and beat some very good horses."

That win on the 14-1 shot prompted trainer Brady to declare "you should be putting that young man in for ride of the year!", but Ryan is quick to praise both Brady and horse owner Rita Shah for giving him the backing and opportunity to fulfil his dream.

"Only for them I wouldn't be getting these chances," he admitted. And after setting his heart on a career as a jockey from a very young age, he is fulfilling a long held ambition. "I started riding a horse when I was four years of age," he recalled. "Nobody in my family is into horse riding, but all I ever wanted was to become a jockey. When I was 12 or 13 I was doing plenty of hunting with the Fermanagh Harriers and I got into it through Willie Vance, who started to bring me to Point to Points. I saw the racing going on and always dreamed of doing it. I went to David Christie because he was the main man in Fermanagh and I asked him for a job and he taught me a lot. I went on from David's to Oliver Brady's and I was getting chances there and the horses were there to ride. He was great that way. He always said if I worked hard in the yard he would support me and give me a chance and he definitely has done that. I thought about going professional a lot and Oliver said he would back me all the way and he would work with me and give me a chance. I knew he wouldn't have as many amateur races for me so it was either do that or change yards again, and I didn't want to do that because it felt like I was in the right place at the right time, and so I decided to make the move. It was a big step and you are always going to be learning no matter what. It's a learning game."

Ryan was initially awarded a conditional licence which restricted him to riding Oliver Brady's horses, but following his winning debut he has now been awarded a full licence and he is hoping he can start to make a name for himself. "I have no set plans at the moment," he revealed. "I will just get rides as they come along but I have an agent now that will get me rides and hopefully I'll get more from Oliver as well. It's all about getting out there and getting noticed and hoping you can get something.

"It's something I would love to make a big career out of but it's not going to be easy. It's going to be hard work all the way, but as long as you are willing to do it, you can get there. No-one can stop you only yourself."