BEING from Tuam, it was very satisfying to ride the opening winner, I Am Magic, of the 2021 Summer Festival.

We should have won at Naas last time out but I probably didn’t make enough use of him. My plan was always to bounce out and make all the running on Monday and it worked out perfectly.

I set an even enough pace the whole way and got a bit of momentum going into the dip which allowed me to steal a few lengths rolling up the hill. His experience and class got the job done.

The hill at Galway can be a lonely place for a horse, especially for a two-year-old who might be waiting for a bit of company. It might of looked like we were all out at the finish but he had plenty left in the tank.

My father Francis was there with a few friends from home to welcome us back to the winner’s enclosure. The Galway reception is always special and, even though there were only 1,000 people there this week, you could sense there was a bit of craic to be had. There was live music and a bit of atmosphere.

It’s been very quiet on the racecourse for the past 17 months though there has been plenty of racing. We’re very busy during the grass season but Michael doesn’t have many for Dundalk in the winter. In the past I have wintered in India and Australia but that wasn’t possible during Covid.

I loved Australia and would love to go back there some day. A working holiday can freshen you up.

To be fair, we have had some blank Sundays and Mondays this season, which means you can go away for a short break on a Saturday night for a few days. My fiancée is a vet and is busy as well but we managed to get to Killarney for a few nights.

I was in Croke Park last Sunday and was sick to see Galway’s footballers lose to Mayo after leading by five points at half-time. Galway are managed by Padraic Joyce who is also my sponsor through his company