WITH a background in show jumping, I had never even sat on a racehorse until nine years ago. A losing bet on a game of pool was to lead me down a road, which would eventually see me take out a trainer’s licence. Having sent out my first two runners earlier this month, I am very excited about what the future has in store.

Both my parents were amateur dressage and club riders. With some land at home, an arena and stables, it was very much in the blood. I got my first pony when I was no more than three or four. I came up through the grades with the Meath Pony Club and I would have competed in my first Dressage Ireland competition towards the end of primary school.

It was more of the same throughout secondary school. Inter schools show jumping, eventing and dressage competitions. At 17, I represented Ireland in dressage. I would never have had much exposure to horse racing or been to a meeting growing up. Like most people however, I would have watched the big races at Cheltenham, Aintree, Ascot and the Derby.

I had wanted to join the Army Equitation School, but didn’t meet the requirements for eyesight. Instead, I went to college in UCD, where I did an Arts Degree in History and Geography. During those years, I worked part-time for show jumpers Cian O’Connor, Shane Carey and Barry O’Connor. After graduating, I spent the best part of a year with Cian O’Connor full-time. However, I soon came to realise that I just wasn’t a good enough rider to make it as a professional show jumper.

New job

I knew that I still wanted to work with horses, so I got in touch with a fellow Collon, Co Louth man, Rory Matthews, who manages Barouche Stud in Two Mile House. I went down there to try my hand at stud work; spending a breeding season and sales season at Barouche Stud. However, I found that I didn’t really enjoy it. I missed riding horses. I managed to talk my way into a job as marketing manager at Wolverhampton racecourse.

During that time, I lived beside trainer James Unett. When it came out that I had ridden horses, he started nagging me to come in and ride out for him. I always refused, as I had no experience with thoroughbreds. However, after losing a game of pool to James, I had no choice but to accept the forfeit. I found that I really enjoyed riding racehorses and I was hooked from that very first morning.

In 2018, I moved to Newmarket to take up a role as pupil assistant to trainer Ed Dunlop. It was my first full-time position in a racing yard and I learned a great deal during the season I spent there. I then moved on to become assistant trainer to Lucy Wadham. I spent three years in that role. Mid-way through my time with Lucy, I decided that I wanted to train.

In 2020, I completed the first module of the trainers’ course at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster. The previous year, I had completed a Level 3 Diploma in Racehorse Care and Management at the British Racing School. After finishing in Lucy’s in 2021, I did the Godolphin Flying Start. In May and June of my first year, I spent six weeks with trainer Mark Casse in Churchill Downs. During that time, I got to ride out Wonder Wheel, who ended that season as champion two-year-old and also won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Fillies.

At the end of 2022, I spent November and December down in Australia with bloodstock agent Damon Gabbedy in Melbourne.

Final placement

When I came back to England in 2023, my final placement was with Roger Varian here in Newmarket. Once my placement was over, I ended up getting a job with Roger on the back of that. I finished up in November 2024, then went to Charlie Hills as assistant trainer.

However, I felt I had hit a glass ceiling in terms of being an assistant trainer. The day after the 2000 Guineas, I sat down and wrote a business plan, then completed the final two modules of the trainer’s course over the summer. I left Charlie Hills in August and set about my own training career.

I am now back in Newmarket at Albert House Stables. We currently have six in training, with another one due in later this week. The yard has proved to be an ideal starter for a number of trainers in recent years. Charlie Clover and Alice Haynes both spent time here, while Chris Dwyer was once private trainer to the stables owner, Johnny Hon. Phil Cunningham and Richard Spencer of Rebel Racing were also based out of here at one stage.

My first runner, Time To Sparkle, was fourth at Kempton on February 11th. The following afternoon, Miletus was second at Lingfield. Despite a wide draw and not having raced since October, he was beaten only half a length. He has come out of the race really well and should improve from it. I’d be hopeful that he can be involved again on his next start. With two juveniles and two unraced three-years-olds yet to appear, I am looking forward to the coming months.

We have space for 23 horses at the moment and my goal would be to have outgrown the yard by the end of the year. I have a small team of great people around me here and I really rely on their experience. Hopefully, we can get amongst the winners shortly, then build on that over the coming months.

James was in conversation with John O’Riordan.