ST Patrick's Day brought good fortune to horsewoman Sally Ireland as she became the new darling of Britain's oldest horse race.
Cheers went up when she won Kiplingcotes Derby at her third attempt.
As reported on the Mail's website, Sally, 31, stormed to victory in the 482nd running of the historic race, near Market Weighton.
She achieved her ambition to win the derby on a horse called Charlie.
Sally, of Bryan Mills, Lockington, near Beverley, said: "I'm thrilled to bits and it is a case of third time lucky.
"The race went really well and Charlie produced the pace at the end when I asked him to.
"I have previously been placed third and nowhere and it has always been an ambition to win this historic race."
Sally, who works at Mike Sowersby's racing stables in Goodmanham, near Market Weighton, hopes to defend her title at the 2012 derby.
It was a proud moment for the horse's owner and a previous winner at Kiplingcotes, Liz Stubbins, of Thornton, near Pocklington.
Sally was presented with the winner's trophy by TV personality Julia Bradbury, who was filming the quirky race for the BBC's Countryfile programme.
Runner-up was Emma Herbert-Davies, 25, of Otley, on her Irish hunter called Blue.
She said: " It's unique so I decided I wanted to be part of a centuries-old tradition.
"It's a race that's not for the faint-hearted and we came very close to winning."
In third place was three times previous winner John Thirsk, 46, of Holme-on-Spalding Moor, on his new horse Bob.
Twelve runners and riders took part this year.
● Picture gallery: The Kiplingcotes Derby
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