2000 Guineas win for Athlone's Rory Cleary

Athlone jockey Rory Cleary (33) rode his first Classic winner in the Curragh this afternoon.

Cleary produced a superb front-running ride on Mac Swiney for Jim Bolger in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas. The 8/1 shot held off stablemate Poetic Flare in a tight finish in the centrepiece of today's meeting.

The 2000 Guineas is the first Irish Classic of the flat season.

This year's event marked the 100th birthday of the race, which was first run in 1921.

It's the biggest win in Rory Cleary's career and one that will be celebrated through the town and country as the Clearys are amongst the most respected families in horse racing.

Cleary son of Tom and Kathleen from Carrickobrien, Athlone, has been a professional flat jockey for many years.

He is from a family steeped in horse racing. His father, Tom, is a trainer.

Rory's brother Sean, who was also a jockey, died in 2003 after a fall in Galway.