MY family always had horses at home. It was mostly hunters and broodmares and it was my grandad who taught me how to ride. I did a lot of hunting as a child, with the Westmeath Foxhounds and Longford Harriers.

I got into the racehorses through my grandad.

I always had an interest and kept a couple in training. I started riding out for Ciaran Murphy when I was 10 or 11 and stayed with him until my mid-teens. I then moved on to Simon Cavanagh.

Although I was still in school at that time, I took out my amateur licence with Simon.

I rode my first winner on the track before I rode a point-to-point winner.

That came on Wrecking Ball Paul for trainer Paul Mulligan at Dundalk in March 2024.

I made nearly all the running on that horse and we were well clear before halfway.

That was only my second ever ride under rules so it was great to get that monkey off my back so early on.

Paul was a family friend as well so to ride a winner for him was brilliant.

First point winner

I only had a handful of rides in point-to-points before riding my first winner on Milan Forth at Umma House that October.

I won another two point-to-points on that same horse that season. We also won twice in hunter chases and finished seventh in the Fox Hunters Chase at Aintree.

Milan Forth is owned by my grandad so that made it all the more special.

In all, I rode eight point-to-point winners. I only spent one full season at it before I turned conditional last January. I rode six winners on the track last season.

Queally connection

I built up a good relationship with trainer Declan Queally, who was responsible for half that number. It happened quite by accident, really.

I was due to go to another yard but that didn’t work out.

I sent Declan a text one evening and he just replied saying ‘come down in the morning’.

To be fair, he has given me plenty of opportunities. I won three times on Rocky’s Howya for him last season.

It’s always good to come upon a horse like him when you are starting off. I have won a further two races on him already this season.

Personal best

My other winners last season were for Simon Cavanagh and Cian Collins.

I rode my first ever double at Naas last March when Rocky’s Howya and Walk In The Clouds both won. With six winners already this season, I have equalled my personal best.

The first few weeks of the season were grand but then we hit a bit of a slow patch. Things have really picked up again of late.

I am in with Gordon Elliott one day a week, Ciaran Murphy a day a week, Simon Cavanagh a day a week and two days with Declan Queally. I try to float around between other yards the rest of the time.

It’s all about building up contacts and helping to get your name out there.

In the last fortnight, I’ve ridden three winners, all for Declan.

Oh So Charming won a claiming hurdle at Sligo earlier in the month and then Rightfolksplease won twice for us within the space of five days.

Versatile

Declan has done a great job with that horse, keeping him fresh and in form. He won over fences the first day and back over hurdles last time.

Hopefully there might be a couple of more races to be won with him as he is very versatile.

I’m pleased with how things are going at the moment. I haven’t set myself any real targets for the season.

I’d just like to ride as many horses as I can and hopefully get winners as a result. The trainers that I ride for have all been very good to me.

I’d also like to thank the owners that have put their trust in me. Hopefully I can continue to build new contacts over the coming months.

It would be great to come across a couple of quality horses as well. Like every rider, I just want to stay injury free and make the most of the opportunities that come my way.

Kevin was in conversation with John O’Riordan.