Position: Travelling head lass and assistant trainer to Noel Meade

IN my dual role as travelling head lass and assistant trainer to Noel Meade, I am very fortunate to work with some high-class racehorses. It is a great thrill to see the horses you ride out in the mornings go on to win big races on the track and in that respect I have been very lucky. Here at Tu Va Stables, the coming year will bring further success.

Despite hailing from a non-racing background, I was always fascinated by horses and badgered my parents for riding lessons until they eventually gave in. After learning the basics at a local equestrian centre in Summerhill, I went on to do plenty of show jumping and hunting.

At 12 years old, I started riding out for Frederick John Bowles, with whom I remained until my early 20s. My teenage years were divided between horses and playing camogie, another sport I became very involved in.

I left school after my Junior Certificate and started working full-time at Bowles stables. Over the next eight years, I spent time in other yards but always came back to my initial job.

OWNERSHIP

I worked for Kevin O’Brien for a year when he trained on the Curragh and also spent six months with Gerry Stack. My first venture into racehorse ownership proved to be a successful one, as Zamnah, a mare I bought myself, won eight races for us. She was in training with Frederick John Bowles, so I always wanted to come back and work in his yard.

After he gave up training, I went to Robbie Burns for six months before starting at Noel Meade’s. I have been at Noel’s for 10 years now and absolutely love it here. Noel made me assistant trainer four years ago, a role which sees me oversee a lot of the veterinary work, registrations and passports. I ride out in the yard every morning and usually spend the evenings helping vets or travelling with horses.

Last year, after Riona Taggart had a baby, I took over her role as travelling head lass. I had done plenty of travelling in my previous jobs,so while it was nothing new to me, it did mean that I got to spend less time in the yard.

HIGHLIGHTS

Apache Stronghold winning the Flogas Novice Chase has undoubtedly been one of the highlights for me thus far. I look after the horse at home and rode him out every morning, so it was great to see all that promise come to fruition on the racecourse.

Texas Jack was another favourite of mine; he is retired from racing now but is currently being retrained for a new career. Snow Falcon, this year’s Kerry National winner, is one that also figures prominently in my working life. I did everything with him since he was a baby and you do get very attached to them.

Aside from my own horses, Road To Respect winning at the Cheltenham Festival was a special day. Working for a leading trainer like Noel insures that there are plenty of great days racing but I well aware that like everyone else we will have our bad days as well. Therefore, it is important to appreciate the highs and enjoy them at the time.

WINNER

My own career in the saddle has yet to yield a winner, although I still haven’t given up on that dream. I had about 20 rides under rules when I was younger, with third place being the closest I finished.

I rode in a charity race this year and got a great spin, so hopefully I am allowed go back and give it another go in 12 months time. It would be nice to win a race so that I can cross it off and say I have ridden a winner.

Emma Connolly was in conversation with John O’Riordan