SELF confidence is a crucial part of any sportsman or woman’s make-up and it was something I had lacked in the early years of my riding career. I was a late comer to race riding and for long periods, I doubted my ability to make it as a jockey. However, the unwavering support of my family and work colleagues kept me going and last Friday night Geological provided me with my very first winner, when successful at Dundalk.

Coming from a horse-mad family in Ardcath, Co Meath, I was always interested in animals and I learned how to ride when I was just six years old. From there, I moved on to pony club and hunting, before competing in show jumping competitions.