Jockey turned trainer Adam Kirby continues fine debut season after a double at Brighton

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Credit: Darren Cool

By Peter Moore at Brighton Tuesday 6th October 2026
Pictures Credit: Darren Cool

Former jockey turned trainer Adam Kirby continued his encouraging start to his training career after bagging a double at Brighton’s penultimate meeting of the season in his own colours.

South Kensington started Kirby’s afternoon off in grand style by taking the 1m handicap by two and a quarter lengths.

My Mate Mackley made sure Kirby went back to Kirtling with a couple of winners to make it 21 in his first season as a trainer.

South Kensington was bouncing back from a heavy defeat at Redcar last time, while My Mate Mackley followed up his recent course-and-distance success under 5lb claimer Taryn Langley.

Credit: Darren Cool

Tough Decision made a winning debut in the mile maiden under Jack Doughty. Tom Clover’s runner made a pleasing debut and when asked to pick up by Jack Doughty, produced a sustained effort to deny 9-4 favourite Queens Bandit by three quarters of a length.

“He was a bit green but he did it well in the end,” Doughty told Sky Sports Racing. “I wanted to get cover to teach him a bit, but I never did so I just sat there on the wing and he was in a nice rhythm. Coming down into the dip I could see Saffie [on Queens Bandit] had a few lengths on me.

“I could feel he was picking up well, so I got him balanced. He was lugging left in the finish but once he galloped out he was smart. Tom said he was still very babyish and his work has been good, so it was just a matter of how he took to the track.”

Tony Carroll looks to be in line once again to be named the leading trainer at Brighton this season. With just one final meeting to come next Thursday, Carroll is five clear of his nearest challengers after picking up his 13th success at the Sussex track after Launceston just held on under Charlie Tucker to score by a head.

Burford Beauty failed to win a race for Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell, but the switch to Charlie Clover’s Newmarket yard paying off already with the filly taking the 7f handicap for her new yard by three quarters of a length with Saffie Osborne in the plate.