MY oldest brother, Sean and, younger brother, Niall were both professional jockeys. Standing six foot four, that was never going to be a realistic option for me.

Although I rode as an amateur in point-to-points, the long-term plan had always been to go training. After dropping out of college and, spending the last four years gaining an education in different racing yards, I took out my own licence in November. I couldn’t be more pleased with how it has started off.

I’ve already trained two bumpers, with one of those later selling well at the recent Cheltenham February Sale.

Dad grew up nearby to trainers John and David Kiely. My aunt Breda is married to David. My mother’s side of the family, the Phelans, are even more involved with horses. Her dad had stallions and, my uncles Eamon and Michael work in the stud industry. Maurice trained in Kildare, while Pat still holds a licence in Epsom.

After learning to ride from Sir Gertrude at Finnisk Valley Equestrian Centre, I went on to the Waterford Pony Club and started riding out for David and Breda.

Great experience

In my early teens, I would also have gone into John and Thomas (Kiely) on a Sunday morning. School holidays were spent at my uncle Eamon’s Derryluskin Stud.

I had my first proper paid summer job working for Con O’Keeffe in Kilbarry Lodge Stud. I spent three seasons with Con and it was a great experience.

Through Eamon, I also got the chance to spend a summer in Germany working for Arc-winning trainer, Peter Schiergen. Another summer was spent in Epsom, with my uncle Pat. I did a bit of hunting and showjumping up until 16 and while still in fifth year, I had my first ride in a point-to-point.

Con gave me my first point-to-point winner, when Racing Again won at Mainestown in December 2017. A few weeks later, I rode Definite Dilemma to win the local confined race at Dungarvan. He was trained by David Kiely and, owned by my dad. My brother Niall had his first ever ride in that same race. Although he would later go on to become a Grade 1 winning jockey, I have the bragging rights having beaten him!

With my height hindering any dreams of becoming a jockey, I started a business degree in WIT. Having started riding out for Joseph O’Brien, I found myself in the yard more than in lectures. I dropped out of college after first year.

I sat down with dad and we agreed that I should give racing a go, if it wasn’t a success I could always go out and get a real job! I spent a year with Joseph, then went and rode out point-to-pointers for Paul Kiely.

After a year, Sean rang me and recommended that I come over to England to Will Biddick. I came for a week’s trial and loved it. I rode a couple of winners that first season but Covid cut it short.

The second year, I gave the novice riders’ championship a good rattle, before finishing second. One of the highlights was getting to ride around Cheltenham in a hunter chase in May. I spent two seasons with Will, split by Covid. In between, I came home and went to Emmet Mullins, who is a first cousin of mine.

Pupil assistant

With most of Will’s yard being pre-trainers for Paul Nicholls, I would have got to know Paul. When he asked if I would be interested in becoming his pupil assistant I jumped at the opportunity. I spent the 2022/23 season in that role. To further my experience, I then went to Australia at the end of that year, taking up a job as foreman with Ciaron Maher.

I was six months with Ciaron, before moving on to breaking and pre-training for Irish man Robert Quinn. Robert, who also holds a trainer’s licence, only had about 30 horses compared to Ciaron’s much larger operation. I’ve always felt that it doesn’t matter how big or small a yard is, you will learn something everywhere you go.

I rounded off my four-year experience with a three-month stay in Kentucky with Bull McKeever. My cousin Andrew, who was buying yearlings over there, suggested I come over for a few weeks. I really enjoyed the time and stayed longer.

Having spent much of my early years working with point-to-point and National Hunt horses, it was nice to get the chance to work with flat horses. When I came home in November, I took some time out to make a plan. I’ve always found that I make the best plans at home in Dungarvan.

Trainer’s licence

A chance meeting with Anthony Murphy at the Goffs National Hunt Sale led to me taking out the trainer’s licence. I wouldn’t have known Anthony all that well but we are both from the same GAA club.

He told me that he kept a few horses which he was hoping to train from his home place and said that if I wanted to give it a go, he would support me.

Kiltybo was my first runner at Thurles just before Christmas. Nan’s Choice gave us a first winner when taking the bumper at Gowran on February 14th and, five days after, Kiltybo won back at Thurles. He went on to win again at Naas last Sunday.

The day after Kiltybo won, we sold Nan’s Choice at the Cheltenham February Sale.

It was a great result for Anthony, who has put so much investment into the business. To get a decent payday in the first year was brilliant. I have a dual licence and would be open to training flat horses if the opportunity arises. The flat is a worldwide industry and, we have to give ourselves every option.

Conor was in conversation with John O’Riordan.