HAVING missed out when I was initially nominated a couple of years back, it was a great honour to be shortlisted for the recent Godolphin Irish Stud And Stable Staff Awards. My partner, who sees first-hand the long hours and sacrifices that go hand in hand with working in the industry, put me forward a second time and thankfully her nomination was accepted. In the end, I reached the final three in my individual category - Leadership Award (Stable).

Although born in Carlow town, I spent my summers in Glenbeigh, Co Kerry; the birthplace of my mother. As a child, I learned how to ride at the local trekking stables run by Tom Cournane. At first, I just went in for a bit of fun but after I gained more experience, I got a few bob for working in the stables as well. My uncle, Gerard O’Connor, trained horses that raced on the pony racing circuit, so I rode a few for him when I got older.

It was mostly at the local meetings like Glenbeigh and Cahirciveen, although I went to Dingle most years as a spectator. In my early teenage years, even if the family had to go back home after a few weeks, I usually stayed down in Glenbeigh with my cousins.

Back in Carlow, I got a weekend job riding out for trainer, Pat Fahy. Denis Coakley, a relation of the O’Connor family in Glenbeigh, kindly organised that for me.

I used to cycle to the Fahy yard in pitch black during the winter months but it was a great experience - my first time working in a racing environment.

My mother had done some research into RACE and agreed to allow me apply for the academy after I completed transition year. Fortunately, my application was accepted, so I moved up to Kildare to start out on the road to becoming a jockey.

As part of my work placement, I was sent out to Con Collins, who had the high-class sprinter/future stallion Dandy Man in his yard at the time. I spent a few years with CoN but didn’t ride as an apprentice; I always wanted to become an amateur and go jumping.

Australia

Once I secured my licence, I moved on to work mornings for Jessica Harrington, then ride out for different trainers such as Tara Coogan or Sean Byrne in the afternoon. Although I managed to finish in the money on few point-to-point rides, I discovered I had more luck hitting the deck! Having come to the conclusion that I was a better horseman than jockey, I hung up my boots and went to Australia for a year.

I spent the first six months of my travels with legendary Australian trainer Bart Cummings before moving on to do the Magic Millions Sale with David Hayes.

On my return to Ireland, the recession had hit the country hard but I was fortunate to pick up a part-time job with Jessica Harrington. After a while, with some lads moving on to pastures new, I was taken on in a full-time capacity.

Yard manager

Then four or five years ago, an opportunity came up to gain promotion to become a yard manager. With over 200 horses in training, each yard is made up of about 50 horses.

I am responsible for a yard of flat fillies, mostly two-year-olds but also three-year-olds the odd older horse. I am in every morning for 7am, at which time I feed the horses, check their legs and trot out any that may have run the previous day.

After that, I head down to the office to impart my findings and pick up the list of horses that are riding out. I bring that up to the tack room and attach it to the board for the rest of the team to view.

Usually, I ride out five or six lots each morning; these can be from any zone not just the 50 or so I am responsible for. If a rider gets on well with a particular horse, he, or she, will most likely be paired with that horse on a regular basis. Of the five or six I ride out, at least three are regulars on my list.

Prior to being made yard manager, I used to go racing regularly but obviously not as much nowadays. I was very lucky to get to accompany horses to Dubai, California, Kentucky and Saratoga, as well as to France and Britain.

It helped that I could ride out as well as oversee preparations, so instead of sending two or three lads with the one horse, I could do it all.

Standout

The standout moments for me since starting work in Harrington’s has to be Jezki winning the 2014 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Sizing John won a Gold Cup three years later and we have had classic winners on the flat but Jezki was the first really big one, the horse that propelled us to the next level.

His win showed us that we could compete against the very best in the game and since then the stable has only got stronger, both in terms of numbers and quality.

My partner, Denise Cullen, sees more than most how invested I am in the horses in the yard. The highs and lows in this game make it a real rollercoaster, with exciting wins often followed by heart-breaking losses. It’s not just on the racecourse that all this takes place - horses recover from injury or suffer setbacks at home on a regular basis.

Awards

Denise wasn’t deterred when her first attempt at the Stable Staff Awards was unsuccessful, so when the committee emailed to advise her of this year’s competition, she applied a second time.

I was delighted to be included on this occasion and it is something I will always remember. The whole concept is a wonderful initiative and should be applauded.

Adrien Bolger was in conversation with John O’Riordan