Two jockeys from Tallow recorded a remarkable steeplechase double in the world famous International Gold Cup in Virginia in the US at the weekend.

The winning jockey in the race meet's main event, the International Gold Cup Timber Stakes, which had a purse of $50,000, was Kieran Norris on his horse Foyle. He beat his former Tallow neighbour, Mark Beecher, on his mount, Straight to It, by a length.

While both jockeys lived close to one another in their native west Waterford, they don't live in close proximity to one another in Virginia where they are both now based. Virginia has a strong horse racing tradition and many Irish jockeys gravitate there to work.

Norris's horse Foyle defied his 11.60-1 betting odds to win the Gold Cup at Great Meadow Race Course in The Plains, Virginia on Saturday last. The horse ran the three and a half mile course in 7:21.60 on turf rated as 'good' on the day.

Norris had further success that day, winning the Division 1 Maiden Hurdle on Awesome Pearl. And there was more success for Tallow jockeys with Richie Rohan winning the Division 2 Maiden Hurdle on Lea Von. Both those races had a purse of fifteen thousand dollars.

Tallow native Ray O'Brien, who now lives in Dungarvan, knows both Kieran Norris and Mark Beecher, and has been following their fortunes in the US. This week he said he was delighted to see them doing so well. He congratulated the two jockeys and Richie Rohan on their tremendous success, and also sent congratulations to their families in Tallow.

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