A YOUNG jockey from Darlington is celebrating her first winner after piloting Tarawan to a five-length victory at Doncaster last week.

Michaela Sowerby, a former member of the Zetland Pony Club and Zetland Hunt, began her career as an apprentice with trainer Ian Balding after graduating from the British Racing School at Newmarket.

The 21-year-old former Hummersknott School pupil turned amateur last December and is now under the wing of Andrew Balding at the famous Kingslcere stables in Berkshire.

Her maiden victory came in a 1-mile lady riders' handicap race.

The trainer said: "She rides very good work and had a few rides as an apprentice, but was always going to be a bit too heavy. She deserves more opportunities."