Oxfordshire's Rachel King was all smiles after booting home a winner on her first ride as an appren - tice jockey in Australia.

The 24-year-old, who hails from Waterperry, near Oxford, enjoyed a successful career as an amateur, riding winners all around the world.

She moved to Australia early last year to work for legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse at Kensington, Sydney.

And, after becoming her appren - tice, she had her first ride recently on Run Cannon Run for trainer Mark Schmetzer at Tamworth, New South Wales – and it turned out to be a winner.

The success had a certain poignancy for King’s family back in Oxfordshire as the following day, her grandfather, Owen King, of Garsington, died aged 91.

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His widow, Pat, said: “She was racing on the Thursday and we whispered the result into his ear just before he died.”

Chris King, Rachel’s father, added: “He managed to hang on until after the last race at the Chel - tenham Festival had been run, and more importantly until Rachel had ridden a winner.

“He always followed the grand - children in what they did.

“He would go and watch them and his sporting interests were second to none.”

A farmer, Owen also had horses and is officially credited as the trainer of Garethson, who won the Hambleton Hills Hunters’ Chase at Doncaster in February 2002 in the hands of his grandson, Ben.

A pupil at King’s School, Worces - ter, Owen represented the school in hockey, rugby and cricket.

It was in the latter sport he per - formed the notable feat of taking 9-6, including two hat-tricks in a match at home to Magdalen Col - lege School, Oxford, in May 1941.

He later played for South Oxford - shire Farmers, based at The Bal - dons.

He leaves a widow Pat, sons Andrew, Chris and Charlie, daugh - ter Ruth, and nine grandchildren, Rachel, Ben, Jemima, Thomas, Sam, Peter, James, William and Charlotte.

A memorial service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Garsington, tomorrow (2.30).