HAVING been a regular racegoer at the Galway Festival since I was six years old, it was a dream come true to win the Connacht Hotel Handicap on Monday night. The whole occasion was even more special as I did so aboard Whiskey Sour, a horse owned by my father, Luke. He has a far longer association with Ballybrit, dating back to his childhood visits with my grandfather.

My initial interest in horses began around the same time I made my first visit to Galway. Armed with dreams of one day making it as a jockey, I spent most of my weekends and holidays riding a pony named Diamond, which Dad bought in Maynooth. We competed in pony clubs, eventing and cross country races. From there I moved on to riding out at Ted Walsh’s local yard in Kill. I was around 10 at the time and rode Commanche Court, a horse that had won an Irish National and Triumph Hurdle, as well as finishing second in a Gold Cup. He must have felt like he was running loose most days, as I barely weighed six stone back then! I continued to ride out in Ted’s until after my Junior Cert, at which point I went to Willie Mullins for a summer. Dad always had horses with Willie; enjoying plenty of luck with them over the years.

I went down to Closutton with the intention of staying on full-time, as I felt my future lay as a jockey. However, by the end of the summer, I reached the conclusion that it was best to go back and finish my education before pursuing my dream. In hindsight it was the best decision I ever made as, for the sake of two years, I was able to complete my studies then return to racing. While in school I continued to ride out as much as possible, every weekend and holidays.

As soon as I reached 16, I took out my amateur licence which meant I could now ride on the track. My first ride came in a qualified riders race on the flat at Leopardstown; on a 20/1 outsider that got me safely around. Willie then recommended a filly to Dad which he felt would be ideal for me to ride in bumpers. The resultant purchase, named Rio Treasure, gave me my first winner (on only my second ever ride) when making a winning debut at Listowel in 2014. After finishing second in a small field at Galway, she went on to win again in Cork later that same year.

CONFIDENCE KNOCK

Once I finished my Leaving Cert I went to work full-time for Willie. I rode away for a while but got beaten on a few horses on which I felt should have won. Those defeats knocked my confidence somewhat, as at times I can be my own worst critic. I was still very young at the time (had just turned 17) and couldn’t accept that sometimes races just don’t go as expected. I decided to take a step back and give racing a break; spending 18 months working an office job in Sandyford, Dublin. However, the decision to give up always played on my mind, as I was convinced I could make it as a jockey. As time went on I knew that I had to return to racing as I would regret it in later life if I didn’t give it one final try. I told myself that the next time I walked away from horses it would be knowing that I really had put all that I had into it. With just the one comeback ride under my belt prior to Galway, I wasn’t sure if I would be riding at the festival this year.

I had been riding Whiskey Sour at home, so was thrilled to see him entered for the amateur handicap. Ruby Walsh rode him to win over hurdles on his first run of the year but we were concerned about his stamina for the two-mile trip at Galway. He had done most of his racing on the flat over a mile so, while I knew he was the fastest horse in the race, I wasn’t certain he would see it out. Thankfully stamina was no issue on the night as Whiskey Sour ran out an easy winner. It was fantastic for our whole family, as we love Galway and make the festival part of our holidays every summer. To have a winner in the feature race of the opening day was wonderful; certainly fulfilling dreams for both my father and I. It vindicated my decision to return to race-riding. as an older and hopefully wiser jockey.

As with everything in life you only get out what you put into it. In that regard, I am working really hard in the gym at Carton House with my personal trainer James Swords and with jockey coach Warren O’Connor. I am riding out a couple of mornings a week with Gordon Elliott, then basing myself with Willie for the remainder of the time. The intention is to keep working hard, put my head down and hopefully the results will follow.

Aubrey McMahon was in conversation with John O’Riordan