MUCH has been written about inequality in racing recently, but I am not one to look for excuses. I honestly believe that if a female rider gets the backing of trainers and owners she is more than capable of holding her own.

Hayley Turner showed that women can compete at the highest level when she was successful at Royal Ascot, while Rachael Blackmore and Bryony Frost have really raised the standard over jumps. Once a trainer is prepared to give the jockey that initial break, after that it is down to her to work hard and prove herself.

I consider myself fortunate to be apprenticed to John McConnell, a man that has been very supportive of my career. Having ridden my first winner just over a month ago, I hope that I can go on to ride many more.

Equine experience

I doubt that many future jockeys can credit the circus with having sparked their interest in horses.

Coming from a non-racing background, it was a trip to the Big Top that provided my initial contact with horses. Or at least a pony, on whom I was walked around in a circle, having paid €2 for the privilege!

Riding lessons followed on from there and when I was 11 I got a pony of my own. In the years that followed, I did a lot of show jumping, dressage and hunting, before enrolling at the RACE Academy. I was incredibly fortunate to be sent out to Tracey Collins for my work placement.

As a relative novice when it came to horses and racing, I couldn’t have wished for a better mentor in those early months.

Both Tracey and her head girl, Hazel Wallace, went far beyond the call of duty when it came to teaching me about riding, bandaging and general horse care. After my five-month placement was up, I stayed on for a further six months before joining Pat Martin to be closer to home.

Even after graduating from RACE, I had never really seen myself going on to race-ride. I just loved horses and working with them, so was delighted to be able to make my career in the industry.

A chance meeting with an owner introduced me to the world of pony racing, which in turn awakened an interest in obtaining an apprentice’s licence.

So, upon applying for a job with local trainer, John McConnell, I did so on the condition that he would support me when it came to getting the necessary paperwork.

John promised that if I was good enough to race-ride he would get me my licence and, to be fair, he has been true to his word.

Racing career

I had my first ride at our local track, Bellewstown, on a horse called Sucre. He wasn’t the fastest horse in training and I actually have him at home now.

Over the next two seasons, I gained crucial experience, riding in almost 20 races. Prior to riding my first winner at Limerick last month, I had been placed on a couple of occasions on another horse, Al Batal.

Both Al Batal and CJ Cregg (Limerick winner) are owned by John’s sister, Debbie McConnell. She has been very supportive of me in allowing me gain invaluable experience aboard her horses.

I am very grateful to Debbie and John for giving me these opportunities as without them I couldn’t show what I am capable of.

Winning on CJ Cregg for John and Debbie was so special, as aside from my mam, they have really been my greatest supporters. After I bought my own simulator, I came in early every morning and John taught me how to improve my technique.

He is very giving of his time and is always prepared to offer help and advice. He will sit down and go through every race I ride and when I do something wrong, he will take the positives from it rather than the negatives.

As John is a qualified veterinary surgeon, I also have learned so much about dealing with injuries and how to treat horses. I also find it refreshing that everyone here in the yard has a genuine love for horses, as opposed to just viewing it as a job.

At the time of writing, as far as I am aware, there are only seven female flat jockeys riding in Ireland. I appreciate that I am one of the luckier ones, as I have the backing of a very supportive boss and owner.

As I said at the outset, they can only do so much, after that the rest is up to me.

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