Teen jockey Connor Murtagh has overcome extraordinary odds, defying a life-threatening heart condition to make his first ever appearance at Royal Ascot.

The former Caldew School pupil, 17, rode Another Touch in the Royal Hunt Cup this week.

Connor - who was born with a hole in his heart - has had three major heart operations, the first when he was 10 days old.

His most recent operation was last September after his GCSEs.

But despite this, he's never let it stop him doing the things he loved.

Speaking after his ride he said: "It was amazing - a great experience.

"I came 11th in the one mile race.

"I've ridden Another Touch a few times and he really looked after me. We both enjoyed it.

"The whole atmosphere of Ascot was brilliant. I've never experienced anything like it before. It was a fancy affair."

Connor's parents Sue and Barry Murtagh, who live at Ivegill, were unable to attend Ascot due to work commitments and his brother, Lorcan - a conditional jockey - is away on holiday.

Connor now works at the Richard Fahey stables in Malton, Yorkshire.

When Mr Fahey's assistant, Jess McLernon, told him he was riding at Royal Ascot he thought she was pulling his leg.

"I didn't know what Jess was on about," said Connor.

"She wished me good luck and I thought that was for the few rides I had at Carlisle that evening. Then when she said, 'no, you're riding at Royal Ascot'. I thought she was pulling my leg.

"I cannot put into words how I felt when I found out that Jess was actually telling the truth. To have a ride at Royal Ascot is the stuff that dreams are made of."

Connor underwent major surgery last September and was in hospital for a week.

"They told me to rest for three months but I was back riding racehorses within six weeks.

"The conditional has never bothered me and I don't have to take any daily medication. I've just had to have operations and once it's done it's done."

Cheryl Eastburn, enterprise and marketing manager at Caldew School, said: "Despite being born with a hole in his heart, Connor never let it stop him from doing anything at school.

"He played football and rugby and took part in all the school activities.

"He was a very positive boy."

Vicki Jackson, headteacher of Caldew School, said: "As a school we are very proud of both Connor and his brother Lorcan.

"They both had promising careers in flat and jump racing.

"They have performed at a high level since they were small and both of them are doing what they love."