WINNING the prestigious Maryland Hunt Cup in April has provided a real springboard from which to progress my career in the saddle.

Since tasting success aboard Withoutmoreado in last month’s renewal, I have found myself more in demand in the weeks that followed. In fact, I rode my first ever career double just last weekend; on horses for two different trainers.

With the American National Hunt season climaxing in two weeks, I am due to return home to Ireland but the long-term ambition is to come back out here next fall.

While there has never been a direct family link with horses, the interest in racing dates back to my grandfather.

He worked in the insurance side of the industry, in a role which took him to all the major race meetings and sales throughout Ireland. Dad would accompany my grandfather on occasions and I suppose that interest just rubbed off on him.

As a child, I went racing with my father and from a young age, I knew that one day I wanted to be a jump jockey. However, having learned to ride in a local equestrian school at the age of five, my formative years were spent competing in show jumping and dressage competitions.

I was actually quite good at the latter discipline, going to the National Championships as a Junior in 2017. It was only when I went into fifth year in school, that I first sat on a racehorses; taking up a weekend/holiday job with Prunella Dobbs.

Full time

After finishing my Leaving Certificate, I moved on to work full-time for trainer Peter Croke in Glenealy.

Here I gained invaluable experience riding work and schooling horses over fences. Peter gave me my first ever ride in a point-to-point and later under rules.

I also got the opportunity to ride for him in a bumper at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Prior to last season’s point-to-point campaign, I started to do mornings with Harley Dunne, then went back to Peter after lunch. It was through Harley Dunne that I got the chance to go out to America to ride over the past few months.

Trainer Katherine Neilson had texted him asking if he knew of any jockey that might be willing to come over for their National Hunt season and he very kindly put me forward.

I went over to join Katherine at her yard in Unionville, Pennsylvania, on March 1st and it has been an incredible experience.

Having never ridden a winner from just 12 rides, in point-to-points and under rules at home, I have since ridden six winners from 27 rides under both codes over here. I also had six seconds and six thirds from those rides.

My first career win came at My Lady’s Manor on April 15th on a horse called Fashion Line. The wins have been evenly divided; three on the track and a further three in point-to-points. Although I am based with Katherine Neilson, I also ride out for Leslie Young in the afternoons.

Maryland

Withoutmoreado wasn’t among the leading fancies for this year’s Maryland Hunt Cup, as he was one of only two runners in the line-up without previous experience in the race.

Vintage Vinnie, ridden by fellow Irish jockey Dan Nevin, was a strong fancy in his bid to follow up his wins the previous two years.

I tracked the favourite in second for much of the contest but after he was slow at the 17th fence, I went on and made the rest.

It was a surreal experience to win such an important race in the American National Hunt calendar. I couldn’t believe it at the time and even now, some two week later, it still hasn’t fully sunk in. My Dad had told everyone at home that I was riding in the race, so I think most of Rathnew village stayed up to watch it live!

My mother came over to see the race, so it was special to be able to share in the success with her in real time. I received so many calls and texts in the hours and days that followed; Harley Dunne and Peter Croke being amongst the first to offer their congratulations.

I have so much to thank both men for, as along with Katherine Neilson and owner, Irv Naylor, they played a huge role in making it possible.

I was thrilled to ride another winner for Katherine last weekend. My second on the afternoon, completing a first ever double, came for Irish-born trainer, William Dowling. Katherine has been receiving calls from fellow trainers looking to use me since my Maryland Hunt Cup success, so hopefully that momentum can continue until the end of the season.

I am also hopeful that my success will have attracted some attention at home in Ireland, as it would be great to kick on and ride some more winners, both under rules and in point-to-points, when I return.

Conor Tierney was in conversation with John O’Riordan