HAILING from a well known racing family it would have come as no surprise to most people to see me ride a winner at Dundalk recently. However, for those closest to me, it seemed as if that day would never come, as I showed no interest whatsoever in horses until I was in my early teens.

Soccer was my great love as a child and I was 14 years old before I even sat on a racehorse. Even though my dad Andrew trained less than a minute from our home, I was seldom up in the yard.

Despite my father, grandfather and uncles all being steeped in racing I had failed to be bitten by the bug. In truth, I think dad had given up on any prospect of me following him into the racing industry, although to be fair, he never pushed me or pressured me to do so. I was and still am, very close to my first cousin, Ben Coen, and when he started pony racing I went along to support him.

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Around the same time, I started going racing with dad, following our yard pet Ucanchoose and another old favourite, An Saighdiur. Dad, Brian and William [uncles] had a pony which Ben used to ride and one day I asked if I could have a go on him. From there I moved on to riding out some of the quieter racehorses in the yard and eventually followed Ben into pony racing.

Insignia of Rank and Andrew Slattery winning for trainer Joe Murphy.

He was certainly a big influence on my early career and one of the main reasons I eventually ended up as a jockey. Soon I was going pony racing every Sunday, along with Ben, Gavin Ryan, Nathan and Shane Crosse.

We all grew up together around the same area and have been friends all our lives. Gavin [Ryan], who is based with Jim Bolger, is a year or two ahead of us in terms of experience but the rest of us are slowly finding our feet.

PONIES

I spent two seasons riding ponies, partnering 20 winners in the process. As I am still only 16, I could have had another season at the ponies but dad felt I would be better learning on the track. I am hoping to hold onto my 10lb claim for a while yet, gaining crucial experience with every ride that I pick up.

Initially the plan was to just ride for my dad but as the offers of outside rides came in, I wasn’t about to turn them down.

Perhaps somewhat ironically for a jockey, I need to gain weight, not lose it – I only weigh 6st 8lbs at present. Horses can’t take too much lead in their saddles so I am unable to do real heavy weights at the minute, something that obviously reduces my opportunities. I have been riding at Dundalk most Friday nights over the winter and in that respect my teachers have been very accommodating.

Ben and myself get a half-day every Friday and even had to miss one of the Christmas exams recently. Teachers understand that this is a way of life for us and we both appreciate their help.

After every race night, Dad and William [uncle] sit down with me and go through my rides, showing me what I did right and more importantly, did wrong.

Winning my first race, on Sharjah, at Dundalk earlier this month is something I will never forget. The horse is a real old favourite and both Ben and I, started off riding this old schoolmaster on the track. It was extra special to win for Dad, as he has always been very supportive of anything I wanted to do in life, be it racing or otherwise. Ben and my uncles Brian and William have also been huge influences, as has Roger Quinlan, who thought me how to school jumpers.

My Dad and uncles bought Ben and I, a simulator for Christmas last year and it has helped us enormously. All three have been instrumental in helping us reach the stage we are at right now and deserve great credit.

My next target is to get another two winners to see my claim reduced to 7lbs, then work away as hard as I can and hopefully gain plenty of experience. I have another two years left in school and intend to complete my education as it is important to have a backup plan.

Andrew Slattery with John Grogan after winning the Joe McGrath Handicap with Rapid Reaction. (Photo Healy Racing)

I spent a week with Joe Murphy during the summer and also rode out for Willie McCreery. I hope to go freelance next summer and ride for as many trainers as possible.At one stage I could never see myself taking this path but right now there is no other one I would want to travel.

Andrew Slattery was in conversation with John O’Riordan