I RODE my first career winner on Found A Diamond at Thurles last month. Having waited so long to get that one, it was as much of a relief as anything else. Hopefully, I can build on that now; pick up some more outside rides and maybe, another winner or two. I’d like to think that it won’t take as long to add a second one.

We always had horses around at home when I was young. My grandfather bred a few and we would have had half-breds and ponies. I learned to ride on some of those, but had never sat on a thoroughbred until my mid-teens. It was through my auntie that I ended up getting a weekend job with trainer Anthony McCann.

For the first year and a half that I was there, I worked on the ground. After some time, I began to ride out a couple of the quieter horses. Anthony had some lovely horses at that time. Togoville, who won seven races for him, was one of the stable stars.

In 2021, I came down to Kildare to enrol in RACE. As part of my placement, I was sent out to Ross O’Sullivan where I spent 10 months. It was a great learning experience and I enjoyed my time there. I continued to ride out for Anthony (McCann) whenever I was back home. Before I finished up in RACE, I signed on as an apprentice with him and had my very first ride on the track the day I graduated. 2022 was my first season riding as an apprentice.

To be honest, it did take me a good while to adjust and strengthen up. Race-riding is very different to riding work. I had never done any pony racing, so in that respect, I was certainly at a disadvantage against many apprentices.

I stayed with Anthony (McCann) for about 18 months. He was a big part in my early career. He got me going and gave me plenty of opportunities. I will always be very thankful to both Anthony and his main owner, Rita Shah for what they did for me.

In January of last year, I came back down to Ross (O’Sullivan). While I always had it in my head to go conditional anyway, I had started to get a bit heavy and couldn’t do the light weights on the flat. In May, I had my first ride over jumps at Ballinrobe.

Throughout last year, and the majority of this, I have mixed it between both codes. Although I’d mainly consider myself a National Hunt jockey at this stage, if I can do the weight on the flat, I will do it.

I finished second on Found A Diamond at Cork in mid-October, so he was well fancied going into the race in Thurles. I felt no pressure from Ross (O’Sullivan) or Tommy (Ward, owner), but I did put myself under a bit. I knew that it was a great opportunity to finally get a winner.

I can’t put into words how it felt to pass the post in front. I wasn’t sure I had won in the moment of it.

Supporters

Thankfully, everything went to plan and Found A Diamond won for us. Both my parents, Lawrence and Siobhan, were present on the day so that made it extra special. They have been huge supporters of mine from the very start and go racing nearly every time I have a ride.

Tommy Ward, who owns Found A Diamond, has also been very supportive. He was good enough to trust me with the ride on a well-fancied horse. Tommy had also given me my first ride over jumps the previous year.

Ross (O’Sullivan) has obviously been brilliant to me, as have Katie and Ted (Walsh). They are always watching me ride and go back through the races with me and try and help me in any way to help me improve.

Being beside the Curragh has been a big help for outside rides. Ross is less than 15 mins away and, lets me off to ride work whenever he can. It’s a great chance to meet new trainers and owners. Ross is only going to get bigger and better as a trainer. Last year, he enjoyed an incredible Galway festival and, only last Sunday, he trained his first group winner on the flat.

We have a nice calibre of horse in the yard right now and I am fortunate to be involved. I am based with Ross full-time, but go down to Enda Bolger on a Monday. That’s a great experience in terms of schooling horses over fences.

I haven’t really set myself any targets for the season but it would be great to ride a few more winners and pick up more experience.