LAST weekend, I won the most prestigious race for amateurs on the US jump racing circuit: the Maryland Hunt Cup.

In doing so aboard Vintage Vinnie, I also set a new course record for the event, thus adding my own piece of history to the famous race. That win was just my second under rules, following on from a significant victory on the American trained Scorpions Revenge in Cork last month. As someone who has only ever wanted to be a jockey, I am hoping that those recent successes can kick-start my career.

My grandparents and parents were all into racehorses, so I was more or less born into the sport. Dad worked for Jim Bolger when I was growing up and is now employed by Godolphin in the UK. My mother went in the opposite direction; taking up a role as racing secretary in Coolcullen in recent years.

From an early age, I competed with the Kilkenny Pony Club in show jumping, eventing and hunter trials. That continued right up until third year in secondary school when I moved on to racehorses. A couple of my friends used to ride out in local yards, so I began tagging along with them at weekends.

I was friendly with the son of local trainer, John Clifford, so during third year I was continuously in and out of their yard. I took fourth year out to work full-time for Jane Foley in Ballyhane Stud, gaining my first experience of flat horses and yearlings.

Jane also had a couple of National Hunt horses and kindly helped me obtain my amateur licence. Having returned to school for another year, I then left to focus all my attention on becoming a jockey.

Learning curve

My first ride in public was for Kevin O’Donnell, aboard Bobeska in the Amateurs Derby at the Curragh. By that time, I had started full-time with Willie Mullins, riding out and looking after some high-class horses.

Wicklow Brave was housed in the barn I helped out in and when the man in charge, Jason Dear, wasn’t on hand to go racing, I got to step in. One of my personal highlights was seeing Wicklow Brave win his beginners’ chase at Ballinrobe, in doing so completing the full set of flat, hurdle and chase successes.

I really improved as a rider during the two years I spent at the yard, as one couldn’t help but learn from the leading jockeys. After that spin in the Amateur Derby, I didn’t get another ride for over a year, before a couple of outings in point-to-points.

Two years ago, I made the switch to Harley Dunne in Wexford and my career has never looked back. Without a doubt, Harley has been the making of me as a jockey and I owe him so much. He promised to get me going and has been true to his word. I ride out the odd lot in James Doyle’s yard so through that link I picked up the ride on Scorpions Revenge.

US trainer, Keri Brion, had based her string at James’s yard while she was over here, so offered me the opportunity. It was a very special occasion, not just for me personally but being part of the history in riding the first ever American trained National Hunt winner in Ireland.

Stateside

Keri asked me to come over to America to ride as an amateur for a few months this summer. Joe Davis had also contacted her asking if she knew of an Irish amateur to ride in the Maryland Hunt Cup and it all went from there.

With no point-to-points in Ireland, it was a relatively easy decision to make when it came down to it. Although I didn’t know a great deal about the Maryland Hunt Cup, I had watched the videos and knew it was an exciting race to ride in. Restricted to amateurs, it is well recognised in the US and receives widespread publicity.

The horse I was booked to ride, Vintage Vinnie, had started his career in Ireland with Colin Bowe before moving to Rebecca Curtis. Since coming to the US, he had done well, despite being recognised as somewhat of a tricky ride.

Joe told me to enjoy the occasion on Saturday; go out, drop my paws and let the horse bowl along in front. I had a look behind me approaching the fourth last and couldn’t see another horse – the further he went the stronger he looked.

Joe had won the race for the previous four years so was making it an incredible five-in-a-row. Since last weekend, I have received countless texts and phone calls from back home in Ireland. The Maryland Hunt Cup is a really big deal over here so the coverage has reached far-flung places.

My intention is to return to Ireland in July, so that I can focus on the upcoming point-to-point season.

It could be a real breakthrough year for me, as I try to build on the success of the past few months and take that next step on the road to becoming a professional jockey. Looking further ahead, I’d love to go back to America next summer and see what opportunities await.

Dan Nevin was in conversation with John O’Riordan