Tasracing

It was a dream come true for 20-year-old apprentice Chloe Wells when she landed a winner at her first race ride in Devonport on Sunday.

Wells partnered Gee Gees Cricket ($12) to an all-the-way victory in the Happy Mother’s Day Benchmark 66 Handicap over 1350m, and what made the win even more special was that it was aboard a horse trained by Team Wells, that comprises her father Dean, uncle Trent and grandfather Leon Wells.

The apprentice was elated after the win and the screams of joy from a plethora of family and friends who packed the leger grandstand to cheer home the talented young rider, was testament to her popularity.

“I’m just rapt to be out here riding in races and to land a winner at my first race ride is unbelievable,” Wells said.

“It’s a bit of an emotional roller coaster and the enormity of what I’ve done hasn’t really sunk in yet.

“All I’ve wanted ever since I was a young teenager was to be a jockey, but Mum and Dad said I had to finish school and college before I could do it, so I did all that and here I am today.”

Dean Wells was also emotional after the win.

“That was a bit special and I’m not usually one to show my emotions,” her father said.

Chloe’s mother Meagan Wells said it was one of the best days in her life.

“All Chloe has wanted to do is become a jockey and she has done everything we’ve asked of her before becoming an apprentice, and this win at her first ride is the result of a lot of hard work on her part and a great amount of determination,” Mrs. Wells said.

Very few apprentices enjoy success at their first race ride and the first to congratulate her was fellow apprentice Codi Jordan who rode against her in the race aboard Date Night.

Jordan ended the meeting with a treble so it would be fair to say apprentices dominated the nine-race card.

Watch Chloe Wells guide Gee Gees Cricket to an all-the-way win at her first race ride in Devonport on Sunday: