IN the last week, I have ridden two winners for Michael Mulvany. I had already ridden one for my boss, Danny Murphy, at the start of last month. Now, with those three winners, I have already equalled last year’s total. Hopefully, I can kick on now and add a few more before the end of the season.

My father (Willie ‘Big Bang’ Casey) was a professional fighter. I did a bit of boxing myself from the age of 11 to 15, but never had any thoughts of taking it further. I would have been into most sports as a teenager. Boxing was just another way to keep busy, but horses were always my thing. I would have had ponies and cobs as a kid. I started going out to Moyross, where they ran a programme every weekend, which taught kids how to look after horses, put saddles on and ride them.

Wesley Joyce is a few years older than me. I would have seen him on the telly and he definitely gave me the inspiration to become a jockey. I felt that if Wesley could do it, why couldn’t I?

At 15, I went out to Eric McNamara on work placement. He is only about 20 minutes from us. It was my first experience of being in a racing yard and I learned so much. Eric and the lads that worked for him were all very good to me.

After spending a full summer there, I went up to RACE in Kildare. I was sent out to Johnny Levins for my six months work experience. Again, I picked up plenty of experience during my time with him. Unfortunately, when RACE closed down, I found it difficult to get accommodation, so was forced to move home.

I heard that trainer Michael Mulvany was looking for an apprentice and went up to him in Co Meath. Wesley was there at the time too, so it felt a bit like a home away from home. Both of them were very good to me. I spent two years with Michael. He gave me plenty of opportunities and I rode a few winners for him. Duke Of Leggagh was my first, at Roscommon in May 2025. That same horse was also my second winner, so he is a horse that I won’t ever forget. I also rode The Love Machine to win for Michael.

I was there from 2024 until just after Christmas this year. I moved back down to the Curragh, where I am now apprenticed to Danny Murphy. It took a while for us to get going, but I rode Sovereign City to win at Naas in July. Danny has been good to me since I started with him. I get to ride plenty of work. Shane Foley would ride a lot for the stable and it’s great to get to ride alongside him on the gallops. He is very helpful with advice or if I have any questions.

Michael Mulvany uses me whenever he can. I rode the two winners for him recently. With those and the one for Danny, I’m hoping that it will get my name out.

My agent Ruaidhri Tierney has been doing great work. I’ve noticed that I’ve started to pick up some outside rides since I had those winners. Hopefully, if I can get a few more wins, more trainers will start to use me.

Danny Murphy has given me plenty of opportunities. We hit the crossbar a few times before the winner in Naas. With the stable starting to hit a bit of form after a quiet period, I’d like to think that I can ride a few more winners. We will have plenty of horses for Dundalk over the winter. Danny’s horses seem to like the surface up there.

Ever since I’ve started riding, my parents have taken an interest in racing. My dad especially. He will go racing when he can and watches on the telly. My mother will go sometimes when I am riding.

I’d love to be champion apprentice next season. That would be the aim. I need to start riding more winners and more horses. It’s all about building up contacts and getting my name out there. Hopefully, over the closing months of the turf season and the winter at Dundalk, I can get amongst the winners.

Terry was in conversation with John O’Riordan