ALTHOUGH a promising career as a jockey was ultimately cut short following a serious fall in a beginners’ chase at Thurles, I have reinvented myself as a bloodstock agent in recent times, working with my father, John, at Graigue Farm. I am really enjoying my new career and feel very fortunate to remain involved in an industry I have known since childhood.

We always had horses and ponies at home when I was growing up; my father hunted and bought and sold a few horses. From an early age I used to go to the sales and race meetings with Dad. He would often give me a sick note in the morning, collect me from school a few hours later, before dropping me back to the bus that evening. As far as I am aware my poor mother never found out!