12 years ago, Sligo amateur jockey John Joseph Gerrard quit horse racing to start a cleaning business.
But, at the age of 31, he made a decision in recent times to return to the sport and he renewed his jockey's licence.
After two rides in Roscommon and Sligo in recent days, Gerrard rode the Mark McEniff trained Fassbender to victory at Downpatrick on Wednesday evening.
The horse is owned by the Sligo's John A Doyle.
Watch Johnny's Racing TV interview with Kevin O'Ryan here:
🗣️"I hadn't sat on a horse for five years!"
Brilliant interview - amateur rider John Joseph Gerrard quit riding to start a cleaning business, but has returned having lost two and a half stone and can't hide his elation after winning on Fassbender @DownpatrickRace! @irishkor pic.twitter.com/SsDBFYjhmw
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 13, 2022
