AS someone who has worked in racing since my mid-teens, I was delighted to recently be honoured at the Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. With finalists nominated by those within the industry, it means so much to see that the hard work and long hours don’t go unnoticed.

My parents always had horses, but more hunting than racing. I was on a pony before I could walk and, from about four or five, I hunted with the [Galway] Blazers. I did pony club, shows and hunter trials all the way along as well.

Albert Broad is a cousin of my dad’s, so I suppose that’s where the racing came from. During secondary school, I spent a week on work experience with Martin Cullinane and I ended up with a part-time job out of that.

At 15, I also started riding out and doing general yard work for Ross O’Sullivan. Throughout the rest of secondary school and all through college, I would have been working for either Martin or Ross when I wasn’t in classes.

I rode in a few point-to-points in my late teens. My dad bought me an open horse to ride; he was usually a safe ride for two or two and half miles and gave me great experience. I never won on him, but we did finish third once.

After my Leaving Certificate, I did a three-year degree in Equine Business at Gurteen College. I rode out for Ross and went racing a bit during that time, and also did all the store sales with Martin.

After I graduated, Ross offered me a full-time job. He had the likes of Call It Magic and Baie Des Iles at that time. I enjoyed some great days travelling with those horses and many others.

After three years with Ross, I left to go to Australia. I was with the Hayes brothers in Lindsey Park for six months. My boss there was Erik Broad, who is Albert’s nephew. I rode out every morning and did a little bit of racing. To be honest, I just never really settled over there and was a bit homesick.

After returning home, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. Katie (Walsh) rang me to ask if I’d come work for herself and Ted. That was three years ago and I’ve been here ever since. I go in every morning and feed Katie’s horses first; Ted does his own. We ride out the racehorses after that. When those are done, the breezers and pre-trainers are next.

I do all the racing for Ted and I also do all the sales with Katie. I don’t think I’d ever make a trainer, but in a few years, I’d love to do something like what Katie is doing.

I really enjoy watching young horses progress the whole way along. I love working with the breezers at home and have always liked doing the sales. I couldn’t be in a better place to learn how to do things the right way.

Special surprise

In April, I had a nice surprise when I discovered I’d won an Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award. Ted and Katie nominated me, along with Alan Donoghue and four or five of my friends. I never mentioned the awards to anyone, so it never even entered my mind that I would be a nominee.

When I was named as one of the winners, it was such a surprise. Those of us that work behind the scenes in racing do it for the love of horses, nothing else. At the same time, it’s nice to know that all the hard work that mostly goes unseen has been noticed by a few others.

You just get on with the early winter starts in the wind and rain, but receiving any form of recognition shows that hard work does pay off. To be honest, just being nominated, especially by your employer, is enough - it proves that they appreciate the work that you do. You can’t ask for much more.

At the awards ceremony at the Keadeen Hotel, I was genuinely shocked to receive the overall Irish Racing Excellence Award. I honestly felt that everyone in that room deserved it. It was a great honour to be surrounded by so many dedicated, hardworking people who give their lives to our industry.

Godolphin deserve great credit for sponsoring the awards and the night itself, as it’s an opportunity for those of us who work behind the scenes to be acknowledged.

For my own part, I want to thank Katie, Ted and all those that nominated me, as without their kindness I wouldn’t have received such recognition.