Waterford's Niall Houlihan wins January Jockey of the Month award

Dungarvan jockey Niall Houlihan has been named Britain's Jockey of the Month for January.

The award comes after Houlihan won his first Grade One race in the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase on board Editeur Du Gite at the end of last month.

Houlihan told Great British Racing: "These races are where you want to be so to win a Grade One having won a Grade Two on Editeur Du Gite at Kempton over Christmas was fantastic. I’m very lucky. 

"The way he jumped and travelled was breathtaking. You don’t worry about anything riding him, you just enjoy it. I love the horse to bits.

"He is very easy to get on with. That was my fourth win on him from five races but I’ve been quite lucky to get on him at the right time. Gary and the owners have put a lot of faith in me."

The Waterford native donated his £500 winnings to Cancer Research.