RIDING one’s first winner is a huge milestone in the career of any young jockey and I was fortunate enough to make the breakthrough at Dundalk last weekend. Tortueuse, trained by my boss, Dermot McLoughlin, made most of the running to take the second division of the apprentices’ handicap.

My father bred horses and always had a couple in training with Tom McCourt. As a child I was constantly on the road with Dad, in Tattersalls or Goffs, to the races, or visiting the trainer. I took riding lessons at a young age and helped Dad at home with the foals. As soon as I was old enough to get my own pony, I was off hunting and show jumping at every available opportunity.

At 13, I went up to Eddie Lynam’s for the summer and that proved to be a great experience. I sat on a racehorse for the first time and while most of my work was on the ground, I did get to ride out a few times. After I returned to school in September, I continued to go into Eddie’s at weekends and school holidays in order to further my education. In transition year, I was required to go out and find work experience for a week - I rang up local trainer, Dermot McLoughlin and have been with him ever since.

In 2014, I asked Dermot if I could go somewhere to gain more experience and he kindly arranged for me to spend a couple of months with Ger Lyons. I certainly feel that I improved as a rider during my time in the yard and it was such a learning curve getting to ride work with jockeys of the calibre of Gary Carroll, Colin Keane and Emmet McNamara.

I also did a bit of pony racing that summer, as it helps any young rider learn about race riding and tactics before they go on and ride on the track. That October, I went back to Dermot’s and asked if he would help me to apply for my licence. I was granted the licence in May the following year and had my first ride at Limerick in June.

From the very first day I arrived in his yard, Dermot has been very good to me, always providing support and plenty of opportunities. He is constantly pushing me to strive for better, whether it’s my riding, fitness levels or diet. It’s great to have a boss who looks out for you like that. I also have to thank my family, especially my Dad, who have been there all along the way and I couldn’t have asked for more from them. The rest of the lads at home in the yard have also been wonderful to me, as have the owners of Lee Valley, where we work most of our horses. Conor Maxwell, who also works in Dermot’s, is a very good rider who offers me advice on all aspects of race riding. Andrew Lynch and Helen Mooney, who come in to ride work are also very giving of their time and expertise.

TORTUEUSE

Having already had seven rides on the track before last Friday night week, I was confident that Tortueuse could go close in her race. Although she was drawn out wide and had that to overcome, she had been third on her previous start and I believed she would be placed again. Dermot also felt the mare had a chance and just told me to try and get out and if I could, get to the inside rail. He said not to panic if things didn’t work out, just to ride my race and see how it unfolded. In the event, we broke well, made most and turning in I felt I was going to win as I had plenty of horse left underneath me. It was both a great thrill and relief to ride my first winner on the racetrack. I was delighted I could repay the boss for showing such faith in me and also the Master Plan Syndicate for allowing me to ride their horse. Frank Brady, one of the syndicate members, is a regular visitor to the yard and very passionate about his racing.

Now that I have a winner on my CV it will be a bit easier ringing up trainers looking for a spin in a race - one of the first questions any will ask is “have you ridden a winner?” Now I can answer in the affirmative. I recently got a car which is a huge benefit as I can now ride out before school and am more flexible to get around and ride out for other trainers.

I am very fortunate that weight is not an issue and hopefully it remains that way. I do a lot of running, which helps keep me in shape and it is something I have always enjoyed. I competed at a high level in my younger days, winning two all-Ireland medals in cross-country races. Although I had to give up competitive running when I decided to become a jockey, I still get out as often as possible and it certainly helps me in my chosen discipline.

Patrick O’Hanlon was in conversation with John O’Riordan.