IT was 21 years ago this week that I rode San Sebastian to win the Ascot Stakes for trainer Michael Grassick. I was the reigning champion Irish apprentice at the time and, a year later, I had my first Group 1 winner aboard Preseli, in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, again for Michael.

Moving to England for the remainder of my career, I rode future champions Ouija Board, Snow Fairy and Authorized on the racecourse, and I returned to the Curragh to win the Irish St Leger in 2011 on Duncan, who dead-heated with Jukebox Jury.