LADY Katy’s win at Catterick on Wednesday took my tally for the year to eight; I have already surpassed my previous best and am confident of getting well into double figures before the end of the turf campaign. Having struggled to make a good of things in Ireland, I took the decision to relocate to Britain in January. It is a move that I have never regretted, even for one second.
My uncle bought and sold horses and Dad always had a few at home, so I learned how to ride early on in life. School never held any great interest for me, so I went to RACE after finishing my Junior Certificate. I was sent out to Ken Condon, where I learned all about race-riding and how to handle a thoroughbred.
To be fair to Ken, he gave me plenty of chances and I also got to ride for a number of outside trainers as well. However, my problem was two-fold; Ken didn’t have enough horses to put me up on, while with the greatest respect, many of the horses I rode for other yards just weren’t good enough.
Despite this, I have so much to thank Ken for as he really got me started as a jockey. Shane Foley was also a big influence, as he was always very helpful when he came in to ride work for the boss.
Having only had a handful of rides in 2015, I put that experience to good use the following year, winning four races. Shanghai Beauty was my first winner on the track, at Navan in June 2016. I won on her again on her very next outing at Bellewstown later that month. I also won races on Stamp Of Authority and What About Bob during the year.
At the time, I was thrilled with how everything was going, particularly as my agent Ruaidhri Tierney was working so hard on my behalf. It was still my first full season holding a jockey’s licence and I was holding my own. I began last year (2017) with a plan to remain in Ireland and ride as many winners as possible but soon came to the conclusion that I would face an impossible task.
Ken continued to use me whenever possible and Kieran Cotter put me up on most of his horses. However, the opportunities were not as plentiful and towards the end of the summer, I began thinking about moving abroad to further my career.
JOHNSTON
Initially I had planned to spend a few weeks in Dubai but in November I went over to Mark Johnston’s yard. He couldn’t make me any promises in the beginning as he didn’t have that many opportunities for an apprentice. However, he told me to come back over in January and he would see what he could do for me. Since making the move full-time, I am delighted with my progress, as evidenced by seven wins on the racecourse.
My agent, Niall Hannity, has been doing incredible work, getting me up on some really nice horses. I am riding most days and more meetings over here mean more opportunities. Mark Johnston has been so good to me from the outset, as have fellow Irish jockeys Joe Fanning and P.J. McDonald. Deirdre and Charlie Johnston play a huge role in the team and have also been supportive throughout my time here.
I also ride for trainer Mike Smith who has been a great supporter. I can’t thank all of them enough for making me feel so welcome. Warren O’Connor, my jockey coach at RACE, continues to play an active part in my development, calling me most evenings to go through my rides.
In the short term, my immediate goal is to get down to a 5lb claim, something I feel is achievable over the next few months. Similar to most apprentices, the longterm ambition is to ride out my claim, get on some nice horses and hopefully one day ride in the big races such as the Derby and Guineas.
I am fortunate in that my weight is very stable and I am able to get right down to claim off 8-00. I’d love to be known as a go to jockey in those big handicaps at meetings like Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.
Andrew Breslin was in conversation with John O’Riordan