AT the end of September, I will leave my role as career coach at the Irish Jockeys Trust based in the Curragh House on the RACE campus. It was probably fitting that after being a constant in the life of jockeys for 45 years that I was awarded the Godolphin Stud and Stable Awards 2021 trophy for my support services to the industry.

Unlike the wonderful work that trustees do year-on-year on a volunteer basis, I am paid to do my job and don’t expect or should expect anything. However, it meant a lot while I am still working for someone to give me a clap on the back and a few kind words to tell me I have been doing a good job.

The Irish Jockeys Trust, set up in 1975, offers support to licensed jockeys and/or their families. Crucially, it includes apprentices and retired former jockeys. This support is a leg-up, not a hand out – it encourages self-dependency and self-determination.

As I make the brave decision during a global pandemic and after Brexit to sell up and move to Britain to be closer to my daughters and their lives, I also hope to pass on some of my caring skills to refugee women and children as a volunteer if I can.

To be a jockey is a very unstable career and you have to be brave. This career never allows you to sit on the fence, you have to be able to jump each and every fence. As you go through life the fences get higher.

Recession

Due to the recession, the careers office, which was opened in RACE in 2008 following me completing a diploma in career coaching, closed in 2012. At this time, I had built up a close working relationship with Frank Moran (former CEO of the IJT).

Together we had supported apprentices and jockeys to keep on the path of lifelong learning and even get to third level to do degrees. Frank was instrumental in the IJT realising the benefit it would be to the Trust to have a career coach on board and especially someone who knew the industry and the lives of jockeys so well.

So, moving across campus to the IJT in Curragh House was more or less a natural progression on my own career path. Also, RACE had started in Curragh House in 1973 under the guidance of the late greats, Stan Cosgrove, Michael Osborne and Derek O’Sullivan.

RACE was set up to look after the welfare and training of young people coming from all over the country to Kildare to follow their dreams. Many of them were leaving home and education at 15 years of age. The IJT was set up in 1974 and both are going from strength to strength.

Education has now become a big part of the support the IJT gives to jockeys and apprentice jockeys. It is now great to see it based back where the dreams of many began and where we at the Trust can help them make new ones.

Jockeys’ licence

I have worked in many roles in the racing industry. I stared out as an apprentice jockey with Con Collins and was rejected entry to RACE in 1973 as girls were not allowed be jockeys. But not deterred, on completion of my Leaving Certificate a couple of years later, I became one of the first females to be granted an apprentice professional jockeys’ licence in Ireland.

My parents were great believers in education and were instrumental in me doing a BA degree and H. Dip. in Education as something to fall back on.

How right they were! Derek O’Sullivan and Stan Cosgrove approached me to do some reading and writing in the afternoons at RACE which went on to me getting more and more involved over the years and in the setting up of proper recognised certification. Hence the introduction of FETAC vocational certification now known as QQI awards.

At the time, the trainees and a lot of trainers thought this was a waste of time but as they all get older, they now know how important those certificates are.

Many of those who left school at 15 have managed to go to third level through this system. In the classroom I taught communications, life skills, and French. (The Department of Education awarded me the European Label for Innovative Methods in Language teaching and Learning 1999/2000 for teaching French to racing apprentice jockeys).

From the class room teaching, I progressed to education co-ordinator and child protection officer. I worked closely with schools recruiting so I feel a huge responsibility in making sure they keep up with acquiring education and skills certification.

As Child Protection Officer, I made sure to see each trainee once a month for a cuppa and a time out (my favourite chocolate snack biscuit). I also organised lectures on mental health, addictions, eating disorders, diet and nutrition, cooking classes, ironing, and the one I am also very proud of was driving awareness with the legend that is Rosemary Smith.

This involved practice for their Theory Driving Licence and safe practical driving skills. We may have saved a few lives here. In my role here at the Irish Jockeys Trust, I have incorporated some of these ideas.

Mental health

I try and encourage those that come and see me to also have a session with Colin Fallon our service provider who looks after mental health and other problems. I also encourage and motivate the jockeys to make better use of their time over the long winter evenings or when they are injured to do some classes or skills training through the JWETS programme.

Classes in equine anatomy, equine nutrition, equine transport, HGV licence for box driving, pilot training, IT, digital media, photography, as well as going back to third level in the evening time.

Apprenticeships

I work closely with a group of individuals and organisations who I call friends of the Jockeys Trust and they will give jockeys who have been working with me work experience, or employment or in some cases electrical, carpentry or farrier apprenticeships.

I am now ready for a new chapter in my own life and ready to hand over the reins to the newly educated jockeys, anyone of a pool of people who are trained to do my job.

Molann an oige agus tiocfaidh siad. (Praise the young and they will come).

Helen O’Sullivan was in conversation with John O’Riordan