JERRY Horan is from Baltinglass in County Wicklow, and some of you might know him from Goffs where he works as an auctioneer. Unlike many who take part in the Corinthain Challenge, Jerry is quick to point out that he doesn’t come from a racing background, in fact, it is in his family’s bar and restaurant Horan’s Pub in Baltinglass where Jerry first cut his teeth working. The remarkably busy spot serves the very best of food and drinks and is extremely popular with locals and visitors alike.

Jerry studied equine business at University College Limerick and from there he went on to complete the Irish National Stud course all the while riding out in the hopes of one day becoming a jockey. He quickly realised that dream was not to be and chose another path within the game which he had grown to love. He went back to college to study Real Estate, Valuation, Sales and Management.

Pinhooking success

Jerry also operates Paragon Bloodstock that has enjoyed great success earlier this year when Jumeirah Palm Star and Dandy’s Beano, each lot standing Horan €1,000 came good for him in fine style. The first interesting success was Jumeirah Palm Star, from the Godolphin draft at the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale where he purchased for the minimum bid last year. The second notable success was when he pinhooked Dandy’s Beano, who notched up her fourth career success by taking the fillies’ handicap in Newcastle on the same day. The Dandy Man filly was purchased at the second part of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale in 2016 and was resold through Dolmen Bloodstock to Stephen Hillen and Hambleton Racing for €20,000 at the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale.

Jerry’s goal in the industry is to “breed or pinhook a Royal Ascot or Cheltenham Festival winner” and his recent form suggests the ambition is not far from being fulfilled. For the time being though, he is pleased that he is “becoming known as a source of profitable horses and delighted that the next people in the chain have been lucky and have made money, or will make money in the future.”

Personal achievement

Another big success this year was when Jerry took to the rostrum at Goffs for the first time which he described as a great thrill and an honour in equal proportions. And finally, but by no means least, taking part in this year’s Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series for Irish Injured Jockeys has been a wonderful personal achievement. With two of the three races under his belt, he is very much looking forward to the final leg of the series at Leopardstown on October 26th. Speaking of the support he has received so far on his fundraising journey, Jerry said: “I am so grateful to everyone who has supported my fundraising efforts, the local people at home in Baltinglass, the customers in my parent’s pub and the many local businesses all over Kildare who have helped raise much-needed funds for Irish Injured Jockeys, thank you all.”

To support Jerry in his quest to raise funds for Irish Injured Jockeys, go to everydayhero.com and search for ‘Jerry Horan’.

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