I WAS recently named one of the overall winners of the Godolphin-sponsored Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. For me, it’s a massive achievement as I don’t come from a racing background. I had been nominated a few times previously but, to be honest, you never expect to win anything like that. I couldn’t be more pleased, and it just shows that if you work hard and put in the time, you can progress in racing.

I grew up in a council estate in Rathkeale, Co Limerick. I have four sisters and one brother. My dad was a security guard and my mother a carer. It was almost by accident that I was introduced to horses. A neighbour of ours, Denis Hogan (Ray Hogan’s brother) worked for local trainer Eric McNamara. Growing up, I would have been very good friends with his son.

One morning, when he was going in to feed the horses, Denis asked if we wanted to come along. While I was in the yard, the head lad, Johnny Doab, asked if I wanted a part-time job. It all started from there. I would have mucked out and fed the horses at first.

After a few months, I was allowed sit on a quieter horse. I would ride them down to the gallops, jump off and the work riders would take over. All of the lads were a massive help to me.

Like a lot of young fellas, I had no real interest in school. In fact, I hated it. After leaving at 16, I went to work for Eric full-time for a few months. When things slowed down in the yard for the summer, he told me that he wouldn’t be able to keep me on. I just said to Johnny that I would be in the next morning. I wasn’t expecting to get paid, but I wanted to pick up experience.

Moving to RACE

By that stage, Johnny, Eric and Ray Hogan had convinced me that I should go to RACE. Although I was very tall and was never going to be a jockey, there were plenty of other opportunities within the industry. You also continue your education at RACE, so I was able to graduate with an equivalent of the Leaving Certificate.

While in RACE, I was sent out to John McConnell on work placement. That was in 2009. He would have still been training on the Curragh at that time. Usually, you don’t stay in the yard after your placement ends, but after graduating in 2010, John offered me a full-time job and I accepted. The following year, when he moved up to Stamullen, Co Meath, I went with him.

He would have had about 20 horses on the Curragh but increased in numbers in later years and now has over 100 in training. In 2016, I took a complete break from horses and moved back down to Limerick. My brother had passed away the previous year and that was one of the reasons I came home.

I was employed as a gardener in Adare Manor. In order to earn extra money, I would sometimes also help out at banquets or functions. After a few years, I just did the banqueting exclusively. I enjoyed that side of the industry as well. Throughout those years, I would have kept in regular contact with both John and yard owner Mark Kavanagh. They had always wanted me to come back up to Stamullen. I did enjoy the change for a while but racing never really left me. I returned to John’s around Covid time and I’ve been back here over six years now.

Yard duties

First time around, I would have ridden out in John’s. By the time I left, I had stopped and was working on the ground. Since coming back, I do all of the racing side of it. I still muck out 26 boxes every morning. I also do all of the yard maintenance: grass cutting, fencing, hedge cutting and general duties. John never has a list or anything. He basically lets me get on with it as he knows I will get things done.

He and Mark are ‘A1’. I am very fortunate to have them as bosses. They have been always been good to me; they helped me get my HGV licence, which was a massive help, and they’re always there for me. I’ve learned a lot working here. I live on the yard 24/7 and have the place to myself. I would also be heavily involved in health and safety, and oversee all of that here.

In terms of travelling horses, two trips that particularly stand out are taking Seddon to Far Hills in New Jersey and Mahler Mission to Auteuil in France. As far as I know, it was John and Debbie McConnell who nominated me for the recent awards. I was delighted just to be in the mix but, having lost out a few times before, I wasn’t expecting to win.

It’s just nice to know that you are appreciated by your employers, so being nominated was something in itself.

To be named one of the finalists was a great surprise. I hope that it might show others that don’t come from a racing background that there are opportunities within the industry, and people like us can still make a career within it.

Brian was in conversation with John O’Riordan.