September 18, 2006
Jockey Catherine O'Brien Wins First Race

FORT ERIE, September 18…Catherine O’Brien won her first race as a jockey Monday afternoon at Fort Erie. The 26 year-old native of Montreal guided G T’s Polecat to victory in the fifth race.

“It was great every step of the way,” said O’Brien. “I’m thrilled to win here (at Fort Erie) where I got started.”

O’Brien, who grew up riding show horses, started with thoroughbreds in 2001 as a groom for trainer Roger Attfield. She started galloping horses one year later at Fort Erie for conditioner Mark Casse. O’Brien spent the last three years with Sam Son Farm and trainer Mark Frostad and is now concentrating on a career as a jockey.

O’Brien rode four races at Woodbine and one at Fort Erie prior to today’s victory. She rode her first two races for Sam Son Farm. “I was honoured to wear those colours,” she said. “I was so thrilled.”

G T’s Polecat and jockey O’Brien tracked the leaders around the far turn then moved to the rail for the stretch run and drew off in the final yards winning by 2 ½ lengths.

G T’s Polecat, who is owned by G. T. Heat Stable and trained by Steve Owens, paid $28.40 to win.

Daryl Wells
Media and Communications 1-800-295-3770 ext. 3204
e-mail: dwells@forterieracetrack.ca