He deserves a medal! Showjumper leaves it late to win on first ride as a jockey

International showjumper Joe Whitaker realised a lifelong dream when winning on his debut ride at Newcastle on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old, who is part of the famous Olympic medal-winning Whitaker showjumping dynasty, gave the Tjade Collier-trained Ladronne a courageous ride, leaving it to the last moment to edge out Taras Day by a neck, giving the ecstatic trainer his first winner.

Watch the replay and see the full result

Whitaker had said "it would be a fairytale" if he and Collier could get their first winners together and after the race – division two of the 2m6f Equine Products Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle – the rider was jubilant when that dream had come true.

Whitaker sneaks up the rail before pouncing late to score on the 15-8 favourite at NewcastleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I could feel him on the bridle and I knew he had it, so I thought I'd wait until the very last second and then give it some," Whitaker told Sky Sports Racing after Ladronne, who had traded at an in-play high of 22-1 on Betfair, got up in the dying strides for Whitaker as the 15-8 favourite.

"Fair play to Tjade as well because his instructions were 150 per cent, what a man. He's going to be a serious trainer in the making," Whitaker added.

"I was just focusing on riding smooth, getting in a rhythm, breathing, relaxing, and just finding the race and taking it from there. I enjoyed every second of it and I guarantee I'll be doing it again."

Whitaker urges his mount over a set of obstacles up the home straight. The pair would score by a neckCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Trainer Collier, who saddled his first winner at the 12th attempt, added: "I'm so excited – I don't know what to say. I've got loads of youngsters going and I said to Joe, 'if you can give me a hand for a couple of weeks, I'll give you a nice ride', he did that and we found the right one for him. What a peach he gave it!"

Whitaker is not the first former showjumper to turn his hand to race-riding. Multiple Grade 1-winning jockey Robbie Power grew up competing in showjumping and landed his biggest success in that discipline when striking in the Hickstead Speed Derby in 2013.

Who is Joe Whitaker?

Whitaker is a talented showjumper in his own right, hailing from a famous family with a distinguished background in the sport. He secured several impressive wins on the circuit and picked up a bronze medal at the 2006 Junior European Championships.

All smiles: Joe Whitaker (centre) with winning connections, including trainer Tjade Collier (right), at NewcastleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Whitaker's career highlight came in 2016 when he was part of the Great Britain team to win the five-star Nations Cup in Gijon. His uncles John and Michael won medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

How we saw it

Live Tipster Richard Birch gave his immediate reaction to Whitaker's win at Newcastle

The jockey rode Ladronne as if he had been told the horse had 10lb in hand – he did! If I had backed him I would have been screaming abuse at the television all the way up the straight.

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