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HOME is a household where racing is central to every conversation, while the pictures on the wall tell a story in themselves. Working in Horse Racing Ireland means I get a double take on the racing action. There is no escaping the build up to next week’s action.
Cheltenham has always been a big deal in our house but having a sibling involved brings a buzz to it like no other, it really is spine tingling stuff – even if at times borderline heart attack stuff!
Every race Paul rides in, regardless of the occasion, you always want him to come back safe. Everything thereafter is a bonus.
GENIUS
Willie Mullins is a genius and has been instrumental to Paul’s success. Any time you see him throw a leg over a Closutton inmate you know that he has a chance. How he handles that pressure is something I’ll never understand.
My sister Jody normally manages the yard for the week while dad, Tim, has made the trip to the Cotswolds an annual pilgrimage, since Paul’s first year riding there.
We come from a small area in east Cork and although Paul left at 16 so many people still get in contact during Cheltenham week. It’s lovely to get the messages of support and is a testament to Paul’s level headedness.
I have no set annual agenda for watching the thrills and spills unfold. The only common occurrence is the reaction from the last obstacle home. When he is over the last safely, and has a fighting chance, that’s when the excitement kicks in and you find yourself shouting at the screen.
I was only going out with my now fiancé James Buckley a short time when we went into town on St Patrick’s day to watch the racing. All I will say is that when he didn’t leave me then I knew he was a keeper!
I didn’t see Paul’s first Cheltenham winner, on What A Charm, as I was in America working at that time. I remember listening to it on Cheltenham Radio in my small apartment in Kentucky and uncontrollably roaring him up the hill. I sure did feel far away from home that day.
He has ridden seven winners at the festival since then. Nobody in racing takes a Cheltenham winner for granted.
DOUBLE
I was fortunate to be there last March for his double on the Thursday, with Laurina and Penhill. It had been a frustrating week of seconds up to that point for him. I arrived at his apartment Wednesday night.
Conversation was minimal.
One thing that is certain in life and racing your luck will always change.
The next day it certainly did.
To have a winner on ‘that’ big stage means everything to a jockey – you only have to look at the reaction on his face coming into the enclosure aboard Penhill.
The car journey back to Birmingham Friday evening was electric – Liam Healy (photographer) relieved for it to be over and ‘PT’ with a real pep in his step. Celebrations continued through Patrick’s weekend. For me anyway – that is one of the perks!
PROUD
Every brother/sister relationship is the same in that you grow up together, fall in and out with one another along the way but at the end of the day you both have each other’s back.
As an atypical sister I don’t say it half enough how proud I am of him.
I don’t back horses but I do have one ‘certainty’ for readers over the four days. If there is a Townend near you and Paul’s at the ‘business end’ of the race you are sure to know it!
Here’s hoping for a safe and successful 2019 Cheltenham Festival.
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