NEXT week’s Punchestown Festival will see the final races run in this seasons National Hunt championship. I have enjoyed a relatively successful campaign, riding 15 winners to date, as well as forming a strong partnership with a horse I feel could be a very exciting prospect in 2018.

Like many others before me, I had no direct background in racing but spent a great deal of time show jumping. I wasn’t a huge fan of school, so when I found out about RACE, I was determined to give it a go.

Thankfully, my parents supported my decision and I was allowed to enroll at the Co Kildare academy. With no previous experience to my name, I was 17 years old before I sat on my first racehorse. Having never rode out for a trainer or worked in a yard, I was at a distinct disadvantage beginning my new career.

However, during my work placement at RACE I was sent out to Christy Roche and that has undoubtedly been the making of me as a jockey. The boss has been instrumental in my career, giving me every opportunity to succeed. Having started in the yard in 2007, I am now approaching 10 years with Christy.

MCMANUS

Through working in Roche’s I got the chance to ride in a couple conditional races for J.P. McManus and as time went by further opportunities arose. I rode my very first winner at Down Royal on a horse named Code Of The West, aptly trained by Christy (Roche) and owned by J.P. Those two men, along with Frank Berry, have been my greatest supporters and I have no doubt that without their help I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Irish National Hunt racing has changed so much over the last decade, so much so that there are only a handful making it pay; the big players are getting bigger and the smaller lads are disappearing.

I realise that I am very fortunate to be in the position I find myself in, as I have been given plenty of chances when jockeys such as Barry (Geraghty) and Mark (Walsh) are on the sidelines. I rode six winners recently when the pair of them were off injured and it certainly boosted my confidence knowing J.P. had faith in me.

I am in Roche’s a couple of mornings a week and also school for Frank Berry on the Curragh. Joseph O’Brien is a close friend of mine and I have started to ride work for him over the last year. He has provided me with a few winners on the track.

I am very happy where I am at the moment, enjoying the support of some great people and making the most of any chances that come my way.

I have a perfect record on Great Field this season and am very excited about him. I got on the horse by default but Mr McManus has kept me on him in subsequent starts and he literally could be anything.

Great Field brought me to the attention of a wider audience with his last fence heroics at Leopardstown last month, before providing me with a listed success at Thurles on his latest start. The sky really is the limit with this fella at the moment and I am delighted to be involved.

I rode a recent double for Mr McManus at Limerick on Fit To Be Tied and Mon Lino. The majority of my rides (and winners) have been for horses owned by J.P., so again, I am very grateful to himself and Frank (Berry) for putting their trust in me.

CHASING WINNERS

To date this season I have partnered 15 winners, my best tally since losing my claim. Having had a career best 20 successes in 2013/14, I found it tougher for a couple of years after.

This season has been my first full campaign without a claim so I am very happy with how everything has gone. Like everyone in racing, I want to be riding more winners and getting on better horses on the big race days.

However, I know that I need to be patient and work hard, if those opportunities are to arrive. I am already looking forward to the new season, where I can hopefully improve further and better my previous career bests.

Jody McGarvey was in conversation with John O’Riordan