Mar chainteoir ducháis le paisean ollmhór sna rasaí capaill, tá beocht ag teacht le mo chuid briongloidí faoi láthair. Ó Féile Rasaíochta Teach na Síog, táim ag obair le foireann Rásaí Beo ar TG4.

Tar éis mo óige a chaithfidh ag leanúint na rasaí, is mór an phribhléid dhom a bheith in ann mo chuid tuairimí rásaíocht a roinnt go náisiúnta.

Ag am atá mná ag deanamh ainm dhóibh fhéin sa spóirt, is mór an onóir dhom a bheith in ann mo pháirt beag a dhéanamh.

Since the age of four, I have been going racing with my father. Indeed, there are photos of me in a pram well before then but those are my earliest memories.

My uncle bred and traded in horses but it was my father who really ignited the flame in me. He was a big fan of the sport and would go racing at least once a month. As soon as I was old enough, I would accompany him on his travels; Leopardstown, Ballinrobe, Galway, Listowel, Killarney, Tramore, Limerick. I had travelled much of the country before I even started in secondary school.

Unlike most young girls my age, I never had any ambitions to own a pony or become a jockey. My interest was in studying form and watching race replays to gain a better understanding.

When I went into secondary school, no one else shared my passion for horse racing so I did find it hard not being able to share that love with others.

Unexpected

In transition year, life took an unexpected turn thanks to a work placement opportunity with Raidió Na Gaeltachta.

I was based in the sports department and mentioned about my interest in horse racing. Naturally, those in the office were quite surprised to learn that a 15-year-old girl had such knowledge of horses and form.

I was asked to do an interview on one of the stations chat shows, from which a role as a pundit evolved. A year later I was asked to analyse the Galway Hurdle for the station and it really just went from there.

I had just turned 16 at the time and have been working in a similar capacity with Raidió na Gaeltachta ever since.

College also opened up new doors for me, as unlike secondary school, I found myself in the company of fellow racing enthusiasts. Having joined the UL Racing Society in first year, I got to travel to Willie Mullins’s yard, go racing in Thurles and take part in a zoom call with Joseph O’Brien.

The society have various different challenges and competitions during the big festivals, so it’s a great opportunity to show what you know about the sport.

The Rásaí Beo team on TG4 have been a big part of my life since childhood. I grew up watching their broadcasts from Listowel and Galway every year, welcoming the chance to listen to informed analysis in my native language.

With many sports continuing to be restricted at the current time, Rásaí Beo has reached a wider audience in recent weeks. Many of us want to watch live Irish racing but may not have the money to subscribe to the pay per view channels. Rásaí Beo have expanded their broadcasts of late, showing live racing every weekend.

On the opening day of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival, I was asked to stand in for trainer, Sarah Lynam. In some ways, it was a lifetime ambition to analyse racing on television. As a child, I would mute the television and guess what questions Tracy Piggott would ask the winning connections on RTÉ.

Later, when Jane Mangan came on the scene, she became a real role model for me. I could honestly listen to her views all day and I only hope that one day I can be half as good as she is.

Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry paved the way for women jockeys when I was growing up but Rachael Blackmore has taken it to a new level in recent weeks. Despite some negative publicity earlier this year, the sport of horse racing has been making headlines for all the right reasons of late so I see this as a fantastic opportunity to attract new followers. With many other sports still undergoing restrictions, we need to promote horse racing and reach a wider audience. Hopefully Rásaí Beo can play their part in doing just that.

Day job

I am currently in my second year of nursing studies, so the television work doesn’t interfere with the day job. After I qualify in two years’ time, I’d love to do further study in media or communications as that is an area that really interests me.

The opportunities I have received from both RnaG and TG4 have been incredible and opened new doors for me. As someone whose heart beats for racing I’d love to work in the industry and do more down the line. For now, however, I have Tramore and Dundalk on Sunday to look forward to!

Evelyn was in conversation with John O’Riordan.