Meet the trainees - Sadhbh Gannon

My name is Sadhbh Gannon I’m 16 years old and I’m from Westport in county Mayo. I don’t come from a ‘horsey’ family so I don’t know where my interest in horses came from!   But for as long as I can remember I have always been riding horses. I've always had a huge interest in them and have been lucky to have the support and opportunities to be able to work with horses.

At home in Westport I spend all of my free time riding horses for other people, competing them, and also riding my own pony preparing him for competitions all over the country. I compete in Showjumping, Eventing and Hunter trials and have been a member of the Irish Pony club for 5 years. I’ve always liked horse racing and I became really interested in it through a friend who has a very keen interest in it and told me a lot about it and bringing me along to our local racecourse in Ballinrobe regularly which I loved.

 In 2012, through Pony club, I came to RACE for a weekend which I thought was brilliant! After that my 16th birthday couldn't come quick enough so I could finally get the chance to try out for the Trainee Jockey course. I spent the whole summer after my Junior Cert preparing for the trial in July, doing as much exercise as I could to be fit enough to give myself a good chance on the trial. The trial was tough but I thought it went well. I knew that I had tried hard and I was exhausted afterwards!  I got word in August that I had been accepted on the course! I couldn't believe it and I was over the moon!
The course is going well so far and I’m really enjoying it.  Its hard work, but I really enjoy it. Working in the yard in RACE was brilliant I learned so much and I got much quicker around the yard and learned a lot about riding all kinds of different horses. My fitness improved greatly and I enjoyed every bit of it.

 I started my work experience at Michael Halford’s yard. I get up at half five every morning and get the bus at 6:20 am we start on the yard at 7:00 am. It is a wonderful yard and I really enjoy working with the horses and working on the yard everyday.

It is a once in a lifetime experience!

Sadhbh practicing coming out of stalls on Curling Bird

Training on Maddenstown Gallops earlier in the year

Meet the trainees - Peter Coleman

I celebrated my birthday in June 2014, I am 16 years old and I am from Dundalk Co.Louth.

I didn't have much experience with horses to date but as a kid I followed a lot of racing on TV. Since I was about 10 years of age I always wanted to be a jockey. Even though my family is not involved in racing my Dad always had a big interest in horses.
I first sat on a racehorse at the age on 14. Ever since I first sat up on a horse I loved it and all I had in my mind was to be a jockey.
I always new about RACE and was always planning to go when I finished my Junior Cert and had turned 16. My teachers told me about RACE also.

I started in RACE on the 1st of September and I was very nervous but excited but to be starting in RACE.

I love it here in  and I am looking forward to the future now.

Heading out to Maddenstown Gallops earlier in the year

Peter training on the Curragh