A TEENAGER from Long Marston near York is quickly proving to be a princess in the sport of kings.

In her first-ever race under Rules, 17-year-old Helen Smith - who only won her jockey's licence last month - rode her mount to a superb victory on the all-weather track at Southwell.

She goes for glory again tonight having been handed a ride on Chrysolite in the Sweetheart Selling Stakes at Wolverhampton, and she will no doubt boost her reputation further should that race prove to be anything like her first.

Aboard the Barry Hills-trained Rafters Music in the six-furlong handicap at Southwell, she was last turning for home but had a dream run up the far rail and kept the horse well-balanced as it got up to snatch a thrilling win in the final few strides.

Second was Clopton Green, ridden by noted jockey Martin Dwyer, while third was the Enrico Incisa-trained Morgan Le Fay, ridden by Kim Tinkler. The favourite, Royal Romeo, trained by Great Habton-based Tim Easterby, was fifth under JP Spencer.

It was an amazing debut for Smith, who has worked for the highly-regarded Hills at his massive South Bank stables in Lambourn, Berkshire, for almost a year - becoming the first-ever female jockey at that yard.

The former pupil at York's Manor School had been licensed to race only a fortnight before the ride - and still needed written permission to do so from her father, David, because she is still a minor until her 18th birthday in June.

He said: "She's always wanted to do it. She applied to go to Newmarket to be trained as a jockey and qualified, and then Barry Hills took her on about ten months ago.

"She only got her licence about two weeks before her first race, and I had to sign a declaration to allow her to do it. I don't think I would have been able to stop her anyway," he joked.

"We're very proud of her. I watched the race, and the horse just came through and took it by half a head."

Smith, whose parents live at Butt Hedge, herself was overjoyed after the win. "It felt brilliant. I was so scared before the race and everyone at the yard and on the track was giving me advice on how to ride him," she said.

Updated: 14:23 Saturday, February 17, 2001