ALTHOUGH a freak accident ended my own dreams of making it as a top jockey, I am now working with the next generation, in the hope that some may succeed where I was less fortunate. Since being forced to retire prematurely from race-riding in 2002, I have remained actively involved in the sport and recently qualified as a jockey’s coach.

Horses were never a part of my life growing up and it was not until secondary school that I became interested. I remember reading a leaflet that had been dropped in by RACE and immediately I was drawn to it. In all honestly I was never very dedicated to my studies and for the first time, I saw another avenue that I could pursue in life. Having filled out the relevant application forms I was invited for a two week trial and subsequently gained a place on the 10 month apprentice training course.

I was initially apprenticed to Jeremy Harley, but as he didn’t have that many opportunities for me, I later transferred to Kevin Prendergast. Trench Warfare (for Declan Gillespie), my first winner as a licensed rider, was my sole success in my debut season. After making the move to the larger stables at Friarstown, I soon found myself getting more chances and outside rides. As I could get down very light, I was often called upon for the bigger handicaps and rode winners for the likes of Dermot Weld, John Oxx and Jim Bolger.

Having made steady progress over the first few years of my career, by 2002, my final season as an apprentice, I was challenging for the championship. Earlier that year I had started working for Jim Bolger. The boss gave me plenty of opportunities and I was effectively second choice jockey behind Kevin Manning.

FREAK ACCIDENT

In late September, with genuine prospects of claiming the apprentice title, I rode in a race with a small field at Listowel. Midway through the race, the horse I was tracking ran through the rail and the broken rail swung back and hit me in the face. I took the full brunt of it in my left eye and was out cold for four or five minutes.

After being treated by racecourse medics, I was taken by ambulance to Tralee General Hospital and later transferred to Cork University Hospital where I underwent surgery.

After 10 days I was moved to the Mater, where I had to undergo two further surgeries. Once everything settled down and I began my recovery, I remained relatively positive about a return to riding, as the doctors had not ruled anything out. During the operations I had to have some oil inserted into the back of my eye – it was not until later, when that was removed, that the full extent of the damage was revealed and it soon became clear that my career was over.

I was very fortunate to work for Mr Bolger and he was very supportive after my injury. He had no qualms about offering me a role as a work rider. Despite the injury, I can do everything I always did before, except ride on the track. So having returned to work soon after being passed fit by doctors, I am now starting into my fourteenth year with Mr Bolger.

Over that time, I have ridden all the greats in their work – the likes of Teofilio, New Approach and Finsceal Beo. Mr Bolger is a great man to work for and gives me everything that I need. In October 2014, I received a call from Helen O’Sullivan in RACE, asking if I would be interested in completing the Jockey’s Coaching Course in Britain. While the role is relatively new in this country, it is long established and widely recognised in the UK and viewed as an integral part of a jockey’s training.

QUALIFIED

Having discussed the matter with my wife, we decided to give it a go and after passing a BHA interview process, I was accepted onto the course. The programme itself ran from January to May, on two Mondays each month, meaning I was back and forth to Doncaster and Newmarket on a regular basis. Warren O’Connor was the only other Irish-based rider on the course, which was organised by Gill Greaves and taught by Sue Ringrose and Yogi Breisner. We graduated with a Level two degree in jockey coaching from the BHA.

Warren and I are the very first jockey coaches in Ireland and to date we have received a very positive response. Al- most every other professional sportsperson has a coach, so why should jockeys be any different? We are not here to teach them how to ride – that is something that they either can or can’t do. Our role is to help them hone their technique, be it riding style or whip action and to advise them in all other aspects of their career such as diet and lifestyle.

I have worked with a number of young apprentices, such as Daniel Redmond and Sean Davis, over the past 12 months, helping analyse races and suggesting ways in which they can improve going forward. The former’s technique has really improved in recent months and he looks a live contender for the apprentice’s title, while the latter is definitely a name to look out for in 2016.

As a mentor, I am always on hand to help my clients, just a phone call away if they need me. I work with all levels of jockeys – professional, amateur, conditional or apprentice. Some may only need to chat just the once, while others remain in contact over a longer period, it is really up to the individual themselves.

Hopefully in my role I can play some small part in helping them find the right road and get the most out of their talent.

Gordon Power was in conversation with John O’Riordan