MY two sisters, Leah and Megan, had ponies for a long time. They did eventing, show jumping and hunting. I got the bug for horses from them. As they got older and grew out of their ponies, they were passed down to me.

I was big into hunting but also did a lot of eventing and show jumping. Becky Tandy and Annette Connolly were very good to me, I learned a lot from both of them. Ben and Jake Coen, who are my first cousins, were also pony racing when I was too young to compete. I travelled with them every Sunday. When I was around 9 or 10, I started riding out for trainer John Nallen. I am very good friends with his nephew, Sean Bowen, so that’s how that came about.

I was going in there for the best part of two years. I learned plenty about schooling horses during the time I spent with John. I wanted to start on the flat so, after a couple of years, I moved on to Andy Slattery’s. Ben and Andrew were both there at that time and I picked up a lot from them. It was a great experience getting to ride work alongside the two lads. Around the same time, when I started secondary school, I had my first ride in pony races and I was at that for four years. I rode 50 winners, including a good win for John Houlihan at Dingle.

My parents have always been huge supporters. They brought me up and down the country pony racing. They never said ‘no’ to anything that was thrown at them. They always had an answer.

Off the mark

At 16, I took out my apprentice licence with Andy Slattery. In September 2024, I had my first winner on the racecourse when Rock Etoile won at Gowran Park. To get that first winner was class.

It was great to have it for the lads (Slatterys). They supported me from the very beginning and continue to do so. Arch Enemy was a second a month later and, when Rock Etoile won again at Dundalk, I lost my 10lb claim.

Last season, I really got going and ended the year with 18 winners. I rode for a lot of different people and really got my name out there. At one stage, I was only a few winners behind the leaders in the apprentice championship but then I picked up a suspension at Dundalk and missed a few weeks towards the end.

At the beginning of this year, I definitely had the apprentice title in the back of my mind but, to be honest, it has only been in recent weeks that I began thinking I could win it. I rode a double in Navan last month and after that it dawned on me that I was in with a great chance. I suppose I’ve been checking the table more of late. Paddy (Harnett) and Reese (Holohan) are both keeping me honest. It will be a good battle between us until the end of the season.

Key figures

I’m based with Andy Slattery full-time. He has been a huge part of my success. Ado McGuinness also started using me from very early on. He continues to support me and we have enjoyed plenty of winners together this season.

Clonmacash is one horse of Ado’s that has done plenty for my career. I’ve ridden that horse to win six times. Adam Caffrey, who is Ado’s stable jockey, has been a big help. He’s put me forward for the ride on plenty of horses and has given me background information on them. Adam has gone close in the apprentice title race a couple of times in the last few years. Willie McCreery is another trainer that has really supported me. I’ve ridden some nice winners for him this season. Ben, Jake, Andrew Slattery and my agent, Kevin O’Ryan, have all been a massive help.

With 21 winners to date, I’ve already bettered last year’s total. If I can ride a few more over the coming weeks it should give me every chance in the apprentice title race. I’m very thankful to all the owners and trainers that have supported me throughout the season. Without their backing, I wouldn’t be in this position. I’m not the lightest, so when I lose my claim it will hopefully make it a bit easier. Ideally, I’d like to stay on the flat. I’ll keep tipping away over the winter and into next season.

Sam was in conversation with John O’Riordan