Katelyn Mallyon completed a big 48 hours for jockeys around the country when she rode Karoo to victory at Sandown yesterday.

The 16-year-old ended a frustrating run of close calls to notch her breakthrough first city win – a feat matched earlier in the day in Perth by one time moto-cross rider Joe Azzopardi.

And on Tuesday 15-year-old rookie apprentice Damien Thornton notched his first winner as a jockey when at his second ride he saluted the judge first at Geelong.

Katelyn Mallyon followed in the footsteps of her big brother Andrew in notching her milestone winner for leading Mornington based trainer Pat Carey.

The win was the 50th in the riding career of Mallyon – a grandaughter of triple Caulfield Cup winning jockey Mick Mallyon.

“I’ve been pretty frustrated but I knew it had to come one day, so it’s fantastic,” she said from the winner’s stall.

“Andrew won on Kelthorpe and I’ve won on Karoo, so it’s been a bit of a family tradition riding our first winner for Pat and I’d just like to thank him very much.”

Carey, still reeling from the shock and sudden death of stable star Cedarberg last week, had reason to smile.

“It’s a great story that,” Carey said of the Mallyon double. “They’re both great kids and this girl has got a huge future.”

“In 12 months time, 18 months time you’re going to be looking at a really fine apprentice,” he added.

Karoo, a $210,000 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale purchase, is by Helenus and is raced in the same interests as Cedarberg – led by Trevor and Terrie Delroy of Wyadup Valley Farm in Western Australia.

“I suppose every cloud has a silver lining,” Carey said. “That was a pretty hard week for them last week, but this win will give them a lot of job.”

Karoo is a full brother to two time winner Ulundi and is from an unraced Woodman half sister to Frank Packer Plate winner Afraah.

Meanwhile, the Thornton family had plenty to cheer about at Geelong on Tuesday when 15-year-old Damien won his first race at his second career ride.

Damien brought I’m Mysterious, trained by father Glenn, with a strong run down the outside of the field to win in great style.

“The horse finished off great,” Thornton Jnr beamed after the race. “It’s a big thrill.”

“He’s my favourite horse – he’s just the best!”

I’m Mysterious, also by Helenus, was purchased for $102,500 from the 2007 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

He is from the city winning Is It True mare – a full sister to Malaysia’s Sultan Gold Vase winner Always An Angel.

Thornton Jnr is as accomplished young horseman – later in the year he will represent Victoria at the National Pony Club Titles.

PICS – Colin Bull.