A HORSE named in honour of the late Scottish Rugby Union legend Doddie Weir has won its first race of the season.

Doddie's Impact (10-1), ridden by juvenile jockey Billy Loughnane, took a first-place finish over the 3-1 market leader Valadero at The Pertemps Network EBF Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster.

A percentage of the prize money will go to a motor neurone disease (MND) charity, which cruelly cut short Weir's life.

Jockey Loughnane said: “It’s class.

"Mr Brisland (Robyn Brisland) had him in good shape. I’d been in during the week to have a sit on him and I thought he’d go close.

“I think he had a tough opponent, but he knuckled down well and he wanted to win.

“I was riding without my claim in that race so it was brave of Mr Brisland to put me up.”

Mike Hocking, of Cross Channel Racing who part-own the winner, added: “We’re trying to raise money for the charity and what a story.

“It’s all about raising money and awareness for MND to try and find a cure.

“We are donating 50 per cent of the prize money to the charity and we have nine other yearlings so anyone can get involved. I can’t tell you if this is the best one though."

Brisland, meanwhile, has loftier targets in mind for Doddie’s Impact.

He said: “It’s an amazing story and fingers crossed they can have a lot of luck.

“We can start dusting off our top hats and go to Royal Ascot now.”

Doddie Weir OBE died in November aged 52.

The former Scotland International, who also had a spell at Newcastle Falcons, was diagnosed with MND in December 2017.

After his diagnosis, he set up the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation (MNDF) raising thousands for research.

Tributes poured in when the much-loved former farmer died and a memorial service was held at Melrose Parish Church in the borders that December to remember him.

His wife Kathy, from the North Tyne said: "Doddie was an inspirational force of nature.

"MND took so much from Doddie, but never his spirit and determination."