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ALTHOUGH travel plans remain fluid right now, one thing I can be assured of is that I will be travelling somewhere with horses come Monday morning.
Whether that is taking Irish runners to Cheltenham, mares to stud or two-year-olds to their new yards is as yet unclear. Perhaps that is part of the reason I joined Ballinroe Transport back in 2014; every day brings a new challenge and life never gets boring.
As the fella says, I was nearly born on the back of a pony. My family owned a butcher shop in Lismore, Co Waterford but my father always had a strong interest in horses. He founded the local Harriers and was Master of the hunt for 21 years and I accompanied him every Sunday as soon as I was big enough.
When the point-to-point season kicked in, the hunting took a back seat, so our family would then go point-to-pointing most weekends. Although I had plenty hands-on experience with ponies and hunters, it was not until I left school at 16 to go to Dermot and Jean O’Brien at Derrygrath Stud that I first worked with racehorses.
In my first full-time job, I was employed to break horses, ride out and do some sales prep. I spent four years at Derrygrath Stud before returning home to Lismore. Aside from helping out with the butcher shop and small family farm, I also took out a restricted trainer’s licence and rode as an amateur. Despite sending out two point-to-point winners, which I also rode myself, I found that the books just didn’t add up so I packed that in and went to work for Demi O’Byrne.
High-class horses
I spent 10 years working for Demi O’Byrne, who is widely considered to be one of the best judges in racing. Similar to my role at Derrygrath Stud, I broke, pre-trained and rode out horses. Demi would have up to 50 three-year-olds and four-year-olds in his yard, which would then be sold on spec to eager clients.
His reputation preceded him as he had seen some high-class horses pass through his hands over the years. The horses he sold on were brought to the point where they had shown definite ability so much of the ground work had already been done.
Around 2000/2001, I moved down to Edward O’Grady, at a time when the likes of Back In Front and Pizarro were just coming on stream. Nick Dundee had been the stable star prior to my arrival in the yard but had fallen when well fancied for the SunAlliance Chase. In my new job as travelling head lad for Edward, I got to take both Back In Front and Pizarro to Cheltenham, as well as horses such as Jumbo Rio to France.
One of my own personal highlights during those years was leading up Kickham, when he won at the Aintree festival. The following year I also got a great thrill from watching Monty’s Pass win the Grand National. Although I had no direct involvement with the horse, it felt like a local success as Jimmy Mangan is only five miles from my home place.
Change
In 2014, I started my current job driving for Ballinroe Transport. I just needed a change at the time and the opportunity presented itself so I went for it. I do a lot of traveling with single horses, as given my previous experience, I can do all the racing and lead up as well.
Although I have been to Cheltenham in recent years, it is usually only when a trainer has the sole runner that I am called upon. These days most of the bigger yards have their own transport so unless they have too many horses on a particular day, they may not need me.
I have done a bit for Ger Lyons, Johnny Murtagh and Darren Bunyan in recent times, while I have been to Cheltenham for Eddie Harty and Enda Bolger. I also accompanied Edwulf to the festival the year he ran in the National Hunt Chase. Whether I travel or not, Cheltenham will be very different for everyone this year.
I used to love the social aspect of the week, even though I am a non-drinker! It was nice to catch up with those people you only meet once a year and renew acquaintances. However, with restrictions in place next week, it will be a very different festival, one that won’t be easy for grooms.
At the same time, I am delighted that the meeting goes ahead as we get the chance to see the best of the best. In that regard, I am very much looking forward to seeing Envoi Allen, who is perhaps the most exciting National Hunt horse in training.
On a personal note, I’d love to see Honeysuckle win the Champion Hurdle for Rachael, so fingers crossed for that.
One thing is certain; I won’t be at home watching Cheltenham on the television next week. I could be there in person, or in France or some corner of Ireland. Day-to-day, I never know quite where I will be – with one exception.
The only date I have clear in my head is April 1st, when I know I will be home lambing sheep! Aside from that, my diary remains very much open.
Danny Sheehan was in conversation with John O’Riordan.
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