THE famous Greek philosopher Aristotle is credited with coining the phrase “everything happens for a reason”.

Although I could not see it at the time, an injury sustained by my mare Herle, after qualifying for the RDS last year, helped fast-track my long-held ambition of becoming a jockey.

Her enforced absence over the past 12 months has allowed me focus on what has always been my major objective.

Riding a first ever winner under rules, on Tarnova at Punchestown, earlier this month has made me more determined than ever to pursue that dream.

With Dad training out of Copper Beech Stables, my siblings and I grew up in a racing yard. From a young age, my main goal in life was to become a jockey.

Put us off

Every Saturday, along with my grandad Michael Snr, sister Holly and brother Tommy, I would watch the racehorses work. While Dad did his best to put us off riding for as long as possible, he eventually relented when I was 14.

At that point, I was allowed sit on Katiymann, an experienced handicapper who had won a Galway maiden as a two-year-old. He carried my grandfather’s colours when he won at the Festival and was subsequently owned by Paul Rooney.

Later, Tommy inherited the ride on morning lots, while Holly currently has the old horse pony racing. Mam and Dad were very good in terms of getting us going with pony club, show jumping and eventing.

Mam had an exceptional talent for sourcing relatively cheap ponies who went on to do very well in competitions. Some of my best memories growing up consist of travelling around the country with her to various different shows.

Progress

Having started off in SJI competitions at the age of 10, I managed to progress to the point where I jumped at quite a high level. I qualified for the RDS in 2018, while the following year, I jumped at the Horse Of The Year Show in England.

Last year, both Tommy and myself were on the Irish Junior Team (under 18), that achieved a podium finish at the FEI Nations Cup Final in France.

On her next appearance, Herle won a Dublin qualifier at The Meadows but in the process sustained an injury which meant she missed the entire of 2023. I was gutted at the time, as I held high hopes for the mare but the most important thing was that she will make a full recovery.

Full attention

Without a horse to jump this year, I was free to devote my full attention to race-riding. Although I had been riding out at home since 14 and did a season pony racing two years after, the majority of my time up until quite recently had been spent concentrating on SJI competition.

However, the dream to one day forge a career as a jockey was never far from my mind. I had ridden out for Jessica Harrington on weekends for a year during secondary school.

While there I got to ride work alongside Shane Foley and Conor Hoban, two jockeys that have a long association with our family. In fifth year, I got to do three days’ work experience in Gordon Elliott’s yard.

I rode out for Dad up until the end of this summer but - given that he only had two horses to run in bumpers - opportunities were always going to be limited. As my brother Tommy also has his amateur licence, even then I wasn’t guaranteed to be first choice on those runners.

Full-time

Having really enjoyed my short work placement with Gordon Elliott during school, it was perhaps only natural that I would find my way back to Cullentra House. I went full-time with Gordon in August, working six days a week.

When time allows, I will meet Dad to school or work horses. I have been very fortunate to ride work alongside Ronan Whelan and Niall McCullagh, both of whom have always been very helpful.

Going into the bumper at Punchestown, I certainly wasn’t thinking it would be the first win of my career. As ever, my first thought was finishing in front of Tommy, so that the family bragging rights were preserved!

Friendly rivalry

As brothers, there is definitely a bit of friendly rivalry between us but, if anything, I think it drives us on. He was genuinely delighted for me, as I would have been if he had come home in front.

Aside from my sister Leah, who is working in Abu Dhabi, the rest of the family were all in attendance, so that definitely made the occasion even more special. I have to thank Tarnova’s owner Julie White for allowing me ride her horse, as well as Dad and Tracey (Collins) who put their faith in me.

While I am looking forward to getting Herle back next year, long-term I know I will have to make a choice and that will always be racing.

In an ideal world, I’d hope to continue with the two for as long as possible but eventually show jumping will take a back seat as a hobby, while race-riding will be the full-time job.

Down the line, I’d love to turn conditional but for now, I want to concentrate on picking up much needed experience in point-to-points and bumpers.

Hopefully, I can ride a few more winners this season then build from there.

Josh Halford was in

conversation with

John O’Riordan