Budding Ballybofey jockey set for big stage at Royal Ascot

A young Ballybofey jockey will make his debut at Royal Ascot this week.

Kyle McHugh from Carrickmagrath will go under starter’s orders on Wednesday afternoon in the Queen Mary Stakes.

It is undoubtedly the biggest day so far in the fledgling career of the Finn Valley horseman. 

The 19-year-old, a son of Shane and Aine McHugh, will saddle Caitlin G, a big-priced outsider trained by Michael Keady and owned by Jim Gill.

In June 2023, McHugh rode his first winner when he steered 13/8 favourite Big Baby Bull to victory for trainer Denis Hogan in Limerick, taking glory in the Appreciation Apprentice Claiming race.

McHugh is now based with Keady Racing in Newmarket and works with agent Frederik Tylicki.

Now, he is set for the biggest race of his young life as he takes Caitlin G - a two-year-old that was in action at Windsor last week, finishing ninth - to the 2.30pm race on Wednesday.

McHugh’s fellow Donegal jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle has a mount in the same race, the Letterkenny man going on Eskimo Pie for trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam.

Royal Ascot is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, held annually at the Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire.

In his younger teenage years, McHugh boxed with both Finn Valley Boxing Club and Raphoe Boxing Club, but moved to pony racing after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic curbed his career between the ropes.

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McHugh was picked up by the Tipperary-based Hogan before switching over to Keady.

Donegal riders Browne McMonagle, Oisin Orr and Luke McAteer all have rides at Ascot over the coming days.

On day one, Browne-McMonagle is listed for five races and is pencilled in for two on Wednesday; while Orr is on for two races today and one tomorrow; with McAteer scheduled for two mounts today.