I DON’T have a traditional background in the racing and breeding industry. As a child, I loved my ponies and would help out at the local riding school in Ballymore every chance I got. I grew very close with the family who ran the riding school and we would head off up and down the country every other weekend in the horsebox.

They allowed me to compete on some lovely ponies for them. We also had ponies at home with our cousins so that kept us busy right up through our teenage years. The racing was always on television at home.

I have fond memories sitting on the living room floor for big race days in my grandad’s picking out horses and watching him do out the points to see who had won the pot over the years. At that time, I had no idea of the opportunities for employment and the avenues available within the industry.

My parents were always hard-working people so I looked up to that growing up. Funny enough now they both actually work in Gilltown - although neither directly with horses. I didn’t love school and, let’s just say I wasn’t very academic, so horses were a huge escape for me.

Soon after school at 19, I found out I was going to be a mammy. A baby raising a baby, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. My son Cian is 13 now and who he has become fills me with pride. When he was six months old, I decided to do a beauty therapy course.

Complications

I went on to work in some really successful salons. I was working in Millies when I became pregnant with my second child, Indie. I went off on maternity leave but after I had her I became critically ill with maternal sepsis. A few days after her birth, I was in ICU, away from my new born (who was also in ICU). It was a very scary time in my life. The infection was so aggressive that my body was starting to shut down and the doctors decided the only course of treatment was to try emergency surgery - a hysterectomy to remove the source of the infection.

However, my body was so weak at this point I was at a high risk of cardiac arrest on the operating table. Thank God, my body was strong and being only 25 years old probably helped me there. At the same time, it was also life changing, as a 25-year-old girl, a hysterectomy was soul destroying.

I wasn’t in a good place. I was in a lot of pain mentally. I was struggling and I decided to take some time at home to be just be mammy. When I felt ready to go back to work, I really wanted a change, and to do something that made me happy. It made me think about the little girl I was and my horses.

Taking a chance

I laugh about it now, but I decided to send a blatantly honest email to a local (Newtown) stud saying I had no experience in stud work or even thoroughbreds but that I was eager, willing to learn and to work hard. I got a phone call, and had a chat with Cathy Grassick who asked me to come in for an interview.

I remember Cathy saying her late father Brian was a huge advocate for giving chances and, I guess I am lucky that Cathy is still very much guided by him in her work, and in the running of the farm.

We started gradually. It was all new to me but I was learning from some of the very best people in the industry. I definitely lacked confidence at times but the team, especially Jamie, would always believe in me.

It is a beautiful farm where everyone just wants the best for the horses and to look after each other which all stems from Sheila (Grassick). She is always looking after us so well and always there with support. I am very grateful to get to come to work with a smile on my face and work alongside such good dedicated horsemen and women.

My job is really just basic horsemanship, providing a high standard of care with attention to detail. It very much changes from season to season - which keeps things interesting. I am looking forward to the upcoming sales but at the same time I get great enjoyment in the simple day-to-day things.

Positive relationships

Just being there to earn the trust of the horses, creating confidence and forming a good, positive relationship with them. They are so uncomplicated really. One of my favourite parts of the job is watching the maidens become mammys and getting to see the foals grow.

Just last Friday, I took the kids to the RDS Dublin Horse Show to watch a yearling on the farm, Meadowpark Legacy (Monty at home), win his yearling class - Champion Yearling, Traditionally Bred Young Horse Championship and the Pembroke Cup. He’s been a big personality on the farm and to see him go to Dublin was incredible and a tribute to Cathy and his connections.

One morning, I was in mucking out and Sheila and Cathy both came to the stable door and said something arrived in the office for me. My heart dropped, although it was only the nomination for the Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards.

It felt so special just to be nominated in itself. I always feel appreciated in my work but this was something to show my kids and family. Then another morning, Cathy called me. I had a mare in each hand at the time.

She told me to check my emails, that I had won! I was with the girls on the farm and they were so delighted for me and I was delighted for the whole team as everyone had given me so much time and helped me along.

Michelle was in conversation with John O’Riordan.