AFTER spending the winter at home, I travelled back over to America at the end of February. Since I returned, things have been very good. I’ve eight winners ridden and I’m leading jockey at the moment. The season doesn’t end for another six months, so it will be very hard to hold onto the lead but, you never know. I will try my best anyway.

My father Billy used to ride in point-to-points. He had retired by the time I was born but he still rode out in John Halley’s. We never had horses at home but my grandparents lived up the road from Pat Doyle’s yard. We used to gallop greyhounds on his gallops. I was around 14 or 15 when I started going in to ride out in the yard. Before that, I had learned the basics in the Tipperary Equestrian Centre.

I also did a good bit of show jumping and rode in a handful of pony races. I had a couple of spins in point-to-points while I was still in school. Amber Gambler was my first winner, at Belharbour in February 2016. I had one ride on the track for Pat before riding Mossback to win a bumper at Limerick in April. I was doing my Leaving Certificate orals at the time, so it was a mad dash from school!

After finishing my exams, I went to work full-time with Pat for a while. I rode another winner on the track for him and 11 or 12 in point-to-points. I also rode a winner under rules for Joe Murphy. After leaving Pat, I spent two summers working for Joe. I spent two or three seasons with Sam Curling, for whom I also rode a winner on the track. Later, I went on to work for both Andrew Slattery and Willie Mullins. I’ve been in a lot of yards!

Going to America

I first went over to America for the summer seven years ago. Jack Doyle, Pat’s son, arranged for me to go over to Willie Dowling in Maryland. They were looking for an amateur rider and Jack asked if I would be interesting in giving it a go. I rode three point-to-point winners while I was out there. I was there for two months before coming home. The plan was to return the following year.

I had my flights booked and all but Covid hit and that had to be shelved. I was kind of tipping away at home for the last few years, so never thought about returning. I was riding out for Donnacha O’Brien last winter, then decided to come over here to America for the spring. This time I was based in Maryland with Jack Fisher. I also rode out for Tom Garner. I rode five winners on the track while I was out here.

Once the season was over, I went back to Donnacha O’Brien but the intention was always to come over again this year. I applied for and was granted a visa. In February I came over to work full-time for Tom Garner. His wife sponsored me for my visa. I will stay here until the season ends in November, then go back home for the winter.

I have no definite plans when I do but I’ll probably ride out for Johnny and Julie Cashin. They have always been very good to me and I rode three winners on the track for them. Hopefully, I can pick up a few rides on the track when I am back in Ireland.

Home away from home

I’ve been delighted with how everything has gone over the last few months. I’ve ridden winners for four different trainers. Tom Garner has been very supportive of me but I’ve been lucky to build relationships with a few others as well. There are loads of Irish jockeys around Maryland. Sean McDermott, Graham Watters, Jamie Bargary, Gerard Galligan and Dan Nevin are all based close by. It’s a real home away from home.

The spring season only has another three or four race days left but, then the autumn season runs from the end of September until the last week of November. I’d love to still be in contention for the jockeys’ championship at that stage but I know it won’t be easy. I have a five-year visa so hopefully I can build on the progress I’ve made this season and do even better in the coming ones.

Tom Garner is only new to training. (Evan rode his Sultan Pierji in the Saratoga Grade 1 on Wednesday). I am very fortunate to be riding for him. Getting amongst the winners this year has helped get me noticed and a few outside trainers have supported me. If I can continue to build further contacts and keep my name out there, I’d hope to be competitive again next season and beyond.

Evan Dwan was in conversation with John O’Riordan.