Winning joy after 52 years

A north Shropshire horse owner was celebrating today after securing his first ever racing win - after 52 years involved with the animals.

Bryan Probin has been involved with horses since he was 15 and his hard work and dedication finally paid off when his horse, Three Ships, won a race at Ludlow racecourse.

The horse, ridden by Charlie Huxley, came first in the two metre handicap hurdle race at the course yesterday.

"I'm a very happy man this morning," said Mr Probin, from Tybroughton, near Whitchurch.

"It's fantastic, it's like a dream come true. I never slept a wink last night.

"I'm 67 and I've waited 52 years for this, I've had seconds and thirds and fourths.

"I had my first ride at 15 on a horse that was 16, it's been a long wait but it's worth it."

Mr Probin said Malpas-based Steve Wynne is the animal's trainer.

He added: "Fair dos to Steve, it's all down to Steve. We are old family friends. His dad and me, we were riding together when we were kids.

"We are all Shropshire lads, all together with a winner, it's nice."

The owner said the key to the eight-year-old horse, which he has owned for 18 months, was a right-handed track. He said: "He has a quirk in his head somewhere that if you pull on the left reign he goes faster and faster and faster and makes life very difficult for the jockey.

"He was right yesterday, he was on the right run, he jumped like a stag."