Meet the trainees - David Hudson

David training on RACE Gallops in September 2016

My name is David Henry Hudson. I am 17 years old and I’m from Wicklow. I live on dairy farm, we have over 120 cows and I have my tractor license. My Mum and Dad used to ride. I started riding when I was 4 or 5 year old. When I was 13 years old I started hunting and I loved it!

I came up on an open day in RACE and I liked it.  I applied for the week trial and I got a place on the trial. I enjoyed the week. I got a letter in the post that said that I got a place on the course.  I was so happy!

I am still down in the RACE barn. I ride out 3 or 4 horses and we go to the Curragh and Maddenstown Gallops most days and I ride the majority of horse types down the barn, varying from the easy to difficult horses.  I really enjoy working with Racehorses and always wanted to become a Jockey ever since I was little and now I am half way there to making my dream career come true.  

At the time of writing this, I am still waiting on my work placement and excited to see where I will be placed and get to experience at first-hand what it’s like to ride in a proper racing yard with a good trainer and learn new skills and techniques to improve myself to the best that I can and make a national hunt jockey in the future. I would like to follow my idol, Ruby Walsh and start on the path of my career. From the help here at RACE I think I have the ability and with encouragement I will get to where I want to be in the near future.

Meet the trainees - Niall Moore

Niall in demonstration on RACE Gallops for Family Day

My name is Niall Moore I am 16 years old and I am from Gortnahoe in Tipperary. I was always interested in horses ever since I first sat up on one at a young age. Before I came to RACE, I hunted a bit and would ride out my horses every Saturday. I also loved watching racing from a young age and I would attend the Punchestown festival and the Thurles race meetings often and watching all this racing made me want to be a Jockey.

Last Spring I decided that I would apply for the Trainee Jockey Course in RACE.  A few weeks later I went to an open day and admired the place. Next I got a letter telling me I would have to take part in a trial week which was tough, but I kept my head down and worked hard. In August I got accepted to the course and was over the moon!

The course started in September and it was a big change living away from home but with company and craic in the dorms we survived. I loved riding out down the barn and gained lots of experience and tips from the Instructors. In February, I was sent out to local trainer Johnny Murtagh I am learning so much here off both Johnny and the lads in the yard and my riding has come on a lot since I have started there. I also ride out at the weekends for John Nicholson, who has helped me improve my riding a lot.

I hope to take out an Amateur License at the end of the summer and work full time at John Nicholsons yard.

Niall was placed with Johnny Murtagh on the 6th of February 2017

Meet the trainees - Alaoisa O'Keeffe

Alaoisa training on Maddenstown Gallops

Hello my name is Alaoisa O’Keeffe I’m 16 years old.  I’m from Dublin but I’ve been living in Wexford eight years this year. Two people in my family have come through RACE, but my family is not of a racing background.  It was my dad who introduced me to horses and I’m glad he did. 

I got my first horse when I was 10 years old and that’s where it all started. If I’ve learned anything it is that we are all just living, why just live when you can do something that makes you feel alive! I feel alive when I am with horses. My relationship with horses started as a pastime but now it’s a passion.

When I was 12 I had two ponies. I used to ride one to school and he was in the papers for it.  I kept them in stables next to my school. I spent most of my time training them and learning from them and yes you can learn from a horse. I never was really in to the showing and dressage it was to ‘yuppie’ for me. That’s why I love horse racing because the people are different, my kind of different.  

 My cousin Patrick Dixon came to RACE when he was young and told me all about it and then I was dead set on coming here. I went to Duncormick Riding School for a few weeks and they gave me great lessons in horse riding and a friend of mine Collette used to give me lessons on my ponies whenever she could.  I also went for summer work with Sabrina Harty before I came to RACE. She gave me loads of experience in racing and I am glad to have met her. 

My favorite racehorses are Arkle and Desert Orchid. They were classic hurdle horses, their stories are the best. My dad used to tell me about them. 

I’ve learned a lot from RACE but most importantly never to give up with injuries as a setback, it never stopped me!

I’m coming to the end of RACE now; I’ve been placed in Dermot Weld’s yard.  I love working out there the lads are great and I get loads of experience.  I even plan to stay on at Welds after RACE is over.  

When I was in first year in school I had the dream of being a jockey and now after a year in RACE I’m on the journey of achieving my goals and living my dream. 

Alaoisa was placed with Dermot Weld on the 22nd of May 2017

Meet the trainees - Niall O'Connor

Niall warming down after training on RACE Gallops

My name is Niall O’Connor. I am from Calverstown, Kilcullen, Co Kildare. I started riding horses from the age of seven with my dad and sisters.  After a year or two I started hunting on Sundays.   My dad was the one who got me into horse racing, he broke in young horses.  I first heard about RACE from my friend Mikey Melia, who was on the 2015/2016 course, he told me that it was a great place to go and get experience with racehorses and working within the racing industry. That’s when I decided I wanted to apply to RACE.  

Throughout the year I have improved my riding with the help of the instructors in the RACE barn. The highlight of my time in RACE was at the Bogathon, it was a great fun day out with the rest of the trainees and the staff of RACE.

I am now at the end of the course, I’ve met lots of new friends and I’ve learnt and gained lots of experience from the course. I am the process of getting my Amateur Licence.  I am working in Conor O’ Dwyers Yard and I love it there and get along with all the staff. I have been offered a job full time in the yard and I am delighted to be given this opportunity.

Niall was placed with Conor O’Dwyer on the 21st November 2016

Meet the trainees - Peter Kavanagh

Peter schooling on the Curragh Schooling Grounds

My name is Peter Kavanagh.  I am 16 years old.  I am from Ballindaggin in Wexford.  I rode lots of horses and ponies before I came to RACE.  I did lots of show jumping, hunting and a small bit of pony racing.  

I have been riding out for Colin Bowe on the weekends for the last three years.  I have learned lots since I started there and it’s been a great experience.  Colin is very good to work for.  I then started riding out for Sean Doyle on a Sunday during the winter which was also a great experience.

I had heard about RACE before I came here from talking to friends who came here.  I heard all about RACE and what was expected. The trial was as tough, as it was made out to be. After the trial I got the letter of acceptance. I was delighted when I got the letter and when I found out that all my friends had gotten in too.

 I am enjoying my time in RACE and I have made lots of friends.  I hope to get sent out to a good yard on work placement. I hope to finish the course and to hopefully take out my licence next year and get a few rides while I go back and do my Leaving Cert. 

Peter was placed with Kevin Prendergast on the 21st of November 2016

Meet the trainees - Adam Tracey

Adam Training on RACE Gallops

Hi!  I’m Adam Tracey and I am currently at RACE. I have been here nearly 41 weeks and only have 1 week left. It has been a really good experience and I have learned a lot.

I first got into horses when I was young.  I went to a riding school when I was about 6 when I went to Donadea Stables. I stayed there for about 5 years and learned a lot. I went up every Tuesday and Saturday. While I was there I did a lot, from hunting to showjumping.

When I was about 8 years old, I decided that I wanted to be a jockey. I used to go racing with my brother and my father. When I wasn’t at a meeting, I always watched it on the telly. I was really interested in the sport and just knew I wanted to be a jockey.

When I was a young lad I knew I wanted to be a jockey but I didn’t know how to become one as no one in my family worked in the Industry. So I started to look up what I had to do and found out about RACE. From then on, I counted down the days until I could come here.

Last year I came on an open day and had a look at RACE to see if it was what I wanted. I got all the forms and filled them out right away. A few months later I came on a trial week to see if I was a suitable candidate. I got on really well and worked the hardest I ever did. I really wasn’t expecting to get accepted but I did. I got a phone call in August and I was over the moon and delighted to get started.

While in RACE, I have had a tough year between falls and time out and some confidence problems. But at the end of the day I am happy I came here. It’s been a really great year and I have made a lot of new friends and have learned a lot about the industry and just life in general.

Meet the trainees - Adam Farragher

Adam training on Maddenstown Gallops

Hi my name is Adam Farragher. I’m 17 years old and I’m from Skibbereen Co. Cork

I am not from a “horsey” background, but I have been riding horses from a young age. I started off in a local riding school with Ann Fawsitt when I was 8 or 9 and from then on I’ve “caught the bug” so to speak. When I was a bit older I started working with young and green horses which was great experience and I learned a lot. At the start of 2016, I started riding out for trainer Ray Hurley. I learned so much at Ray’s and got a lot of experience riding out all summer and working in general with Racehorses.

I always had a huge interest in racing even from a young age, I even used to leave school early when Cheltenham was on so I could come home and watch the races (To my mothers delight as you can imagine). School was never really a priority to me.  I never had any interest in it even when I was in primary school, if there was something horse related that came first.

In 5th class I heard about RACE and since then I have had my mind set on coming here. During the summer I came to RACE for a week’s trial. The trial week was tough, both mentally and physically and it pushed me to the limit. When I finally got the letter saying I was accepted I was absolutely over the moon and I couldn’t wait to start.

Since coming to RACE I have learned so much and improved as a rider. The lads down the barn were always good to give advice and would always correct you on minor things which really help tidy you up as a rider. Since November I have been on work placement with John Feane and I am loving every minute of it! John is very good to give me advice and is very fair to work for. You can always go to him if you have a question or a problem. The experience I have gotten at Johns has been great as he gives me lots of opportunities to ride work.

 After RACE I hope to sign on to John as an Apprentice and with a bit of luck get a winner or two!

Adam was placed with John Feane on the 21st of November 2016

Meet the trainees - Keith Donohoe

Keith training on RACE Gallops

My name is Keith Donohoe. I am from Ashbourne County Meath I am 17 years old.  I started riding horses when I was 7 or 8 years old at home on my own ponies. I started to work in Broadmeadows Equestrian Centre as a part of work experience for school.  I started to work there on a Saturday and Sunday and the odd Sunday I would compete in showjumping events.  I was doing that for a year then I stopped and Martin Mooney took me on and showed me the ropes of racing and got me on the right road. I always wanted to be a Jockey and go far in the Racing Industry.  I heard about RACE and asked at home could I go to RACE.  Mam and Dad said I could if I got in.

 I got into RACE after all and so I am here now. The few months I had being riding down the barn with the instructors, we started to ride on the gallops and started jumping the fences in the indoor and out in the field. We got to ride out with ear pieces so the instructors could tell us what to do and what to work on, like your style or if you need to fix anything, so that was a big help for me.

We would start in the barn at 8 o’clock and we would muck out 2 horses each, then we would tack up our first lot ride it out and come back untack and brush them over and go for tea and then go and ride two more lots after tea then we finish down the barn at 12.30 pm and go get lunch and start school at 2 o’clock and finish at 5o’clock so we have a long day!

  I got placed out with Dermot weld in his bottom yard.  I like being out in his yard because all the people in the yard look after you. On the weekends I ride out for Dermot McLaughlin and David Dunne.  I like riding out for them and hope to go full time with one of them after my year in RACE and hopefully the trainer gives me a chance to get my National Hunt Licence so that I can chase my dream.

Keith was place with Dermot Weld on 28th November 2016

Meet the trainees - Amy Jo Hayes

Amy Jo in action on Maddenstown Gallops

My name is Amy Jo Hayes, I am 16 years old since June. I’ve been reared with horses since the day I was born, growing up with the farm, that and the fact that it used to be a small stud. Horses were always a big thing going back into the family generation, to this day it’s still as important as it used to be. Living in the surroundings of Irelands leading Stud, Coolmore, is our next door neighbour, which really brings the Horse Racing into place. My grandfather has bred the Grand National winner ‘West Tip’ so there’s history taking place back at home. My Father used to be a point to point Jockey and my Mother used to ride out in flat yards over in England.

I’ve always wanted to be a Jockey, since I was 5 when I first started riding horses. Even for my confirmation the name I chose was Ruby as they said to pick someone that inspired you, and of course I picked Ruby Walsh. It was fox hunting, hunter trials and a little bit of show jumping that I was doing before I reached the age of 16 because both of my parents and Trainer, Harry Kelly,  wouldn’t let me ride out in a racing yard. My Father wouldn’t let me go flapping either because it was “too dangerous”. So as soon as I reached my sweet 16th birthday, it was a dream come true.

I found out about the 10 month course for Trainee Jockey from two past graduates from RACE. I first came to RACE in 2014, with the pony club, to stay a weekend at RACE and three weeks later, to ride your own pony in a race against the other 10 pony club members at the Curragh Races.  I found out all the details for the applications to apply for RACE and was called back for a trial week in the summer.

The trial week was definitely the hardest thing I did in my entire life but I gave it all my best. At the start of the trial week I thought they had mistaken RACE for an Army Camp. When I received my letter from RACE it was congratulating me on being accepted into the course. It was the best news I had ever received, my career was depending on this letter.

As I’m still only 16, It was the age to leave to school but education is vitally important in a Jockey’s career. In RACE they’ve an education centre where you do a level four which is equivalent to a pass Leaving Certificate. This would be useful as you’d need backup in case you do get injured off a horse you’ve always another option in mind. I was told here at RACE, by some successful people who came to talk to us and give us advice, “to always keep your options open “.

The fitness is important here, as when I first came I knew I wasn’t fit even, though I tried to improve over the summer holidays, by riding racehorses, cycling to work every morning and back home again.  I also did a bit of swimming! Our coach here at RACE is very supportive and always has us on a positive note, of being “fit, strong and well”. We would fight and challenge ourselves to our limits and try the best we can to achieve our goals, to have a better lifestyle and wellbeing. In the end it’s not all competition against each other, we help each other to work as a team. Going to gym, coach would have the music blaring and I’ll join in singing knowing it’s still not loud enough for everyone to hear!

Down in the barn, we’d have three lots each to ride and still be fighting over who has the better horse and who’s going to get run away with. And you’ll have Niall joking saying he doesn’t like small people, so if your small I wish you luck! I’m now placed in a flat yard in Kevin Prendergast, and hope to stay on there and to follow Chris Hayes footsteps all the way to success. Getting up at 5am is an early start, but the beauty is that you’ll be back at around 11am to catch up on the morning’s sleep! Coming to RACE, I’ve made new friends and have found a career with horses that will stick to me for a lifetime.

Amy Jo was placed with Kevin Prendergast on the 13th February 2017 but later changed yard and was placed with Michael Halford

Meet the trainees - Emer Bradley

Emer training on Maddenstown Gallops

Hi my name is Emer Bradley. I am 16 years old. I am from Rathconnell Nurney Co. Kildare. I got interested in horses at young age, starting to ride horses at the age of 7.  I love being around horses.  I have always wanted to be a Jockey, it was always a dream that I have had since I was a young girl.

I have my own hunting horses and my own racehorse ‘DontBackMe’. I got a job over the summer with P G Fahey.  That’s when I really got into Horse Racing.  He thought me a lot over the summer.
I use to love waking up on a Saturday morning knowing I was going to work in his yard. I applied for RACE because I was told by a lot of people that it was a very good place to go to, they said you learn so much in there.

When I found out I got a place on the week’s trial, I was so happy and when I did the week trial, I met loads of wonderful people and I didn’t want to go home. A few weeks later, I got the letter in the post and I was shaking, I really didn’t want to open it because I was afraid I wouldn’t get in. I opened my letter and saw the big congratulations on the top and I just froze and didn’t know what to do, I just couldn’t believe that I got in!

 I knew it was going to be hard leaving home and my family but I was going to work hard and keep my head down and hopefully in the future when I graduate from RACE, I will get into a good yard and take out a Conditional License and become a top Jockey.  If I get my license it will be like a dream come true!

In 2015 I found out I had epilepsy. It was like a bus hit me. I’m not going to let a medical problem get in the way of my dreams. The doctors said that I will have to be 5 years free of seizure before I can hold a Jockeys license. I am a year seizure free now. I am now out in Johnny Murtagh’s yard on work placement and I love every bit of it.  He is such a nice lad to work for and I’m happy I got sent out to him.

If your dreams don’t scare you, there not big enough!

Emer was placed with Johnny Murtagh on the 13th of February 2017

Meet the trainees - Nikita Kane

Nikita schooling over hurdles on the Curragh Schooling Ground for Assessment week

Well lads! My names Nikita Kane I am 19 years old and I am from good auld County Offaly .I’ve had an interest in horses ever since I was 2 years of age.  I picked up my love for horses from my Mother and two Uncles who are a Riding Instructors and Yard Assistant Trainer, so from then on I started my journey with horses.
 I began riding in Birr Equestrian Centre and I was always a horsey mad child who’d run around and jump fences and play pretend horses. I started hunting from the age of 8 I did pony club, flapping, show jumping. As the years went on I did eventing and in TY (Transition Year), for my work experience, I went to work in Shane Broderick’s (JP Broderick) Racing and I still work there.  I loved going out every morning and riding out and being around Jockeys and seeing how they cope everyday and I thought yeah I want to have this as my career once I am done school. All the great support I get from Shane really helps. I’ve always wanted to become a jockey like Nina Carberry or Josephine Gordon as these women inspire me,   I looked up to them and one day wanted to be like them.
 I started flapping at the age of 12 with the midlands pony racing and from then on I knew I had to follow my dream.  It just felt like who I should be and who I was meant to be.  No amount of broken bones or critical injuries will hold me back now because that’s the risk we take and I am prepared to take any jump or leap to achieve my goal. My Mother was like ‘why would you want to be a jockey? its dangerous?’, but as I say, ah sure it’ll be grand,  life’s too short so give her welly and whip drive her on to the finish!, because no one knows when your time’s up so make it last.
I decided to do a pony racing course day up here in RACE back in 2014. After that I came to an open day for the Trainee Course, but I went back to complete my Leaving Cert and then try to get on the course, which I did and I was delighted to have gotten accepted.

From the help of RACE Instructors, I’ve been shown how to work around Racehorses and they taught me what I needed to do and what to work on to improve my riding and look and ride more like a work rider. It helped me get a better understanding of what the work is really like and we were put through our paces in the toughest of disciplines to achieve the best results that we can to making it in the Horse Racing Industry .Now I am out on work experience with Adrian Keatly, the 2016, 1000 Guineas Winner.  I enjoy working there and learn lots every day and have come on a lot in my riding and handling since I’ve started. Now I am a step closer to where I want to be with only a short time left to go and I am excited to see what my future may hold, with determination and a fighting soul you can make it!
Nikita was placed with Adrian Keatly on the 21st of November 2016

Meet the trainees - Lee Shanahan

My name is Lee Shanahan. I am 16 years old.  I am from Tallaght in Co. Dublin. Me and my Da had horses all our lives.  I started out hunting and cross country. It was with horses that I met one of my best mates, together we always sat down and watched horse racing on telly and we would always talk about becoming Jockeys one day.

 It was when I started secondary school that I really wanted to be a jockey.  So when I came to one of the RACE open days, in first year, I knew that this was what I wanted to do.  When I was finished 5th year I came to the trial week here at RACE and worked my hardest and thankfully I was accepted.
When I had to get up at 8am every morning for school, I couldn’t get up out of bed. Even my Ma and Da were saying “you won’t get up at 6am every morning” but because I know I am getting up to muck out and ride out I can spring out of bed like its 2pm, instead of dragging myself out at 8am knowing I was going to sit in a School.

At the Moment I am working in Dermot Weld’s main yard, Rosewell House. There are 30 odd riding out most mornings.  All the lads I work with do help me out and give me tips on my riding, they have tidied me up and made me look a lot neater on a horse then when I first started. Mr Weld does help me out as well telling me where I can improve and how. Love what I am doing now and much rather riding out than going to School.

I hope to become a Champion National Hunt Jockey in the future, well that’s the plan anyway!

Lee was placed in Dermot Welds on 21st November 2016

Lee schooling over fences in the Indoor Arena at RACE

Meet the trainees - Lee Quinn

My name is Lee and I am from Limerick. When I was 7 I got on a horse and I really liked it so I carried on doing what I liked.  When I was 10, my uncle Tommy helped to keep me and my friend, Alan out of trouble. Alan came through RACE and now look at him he is living his life over in California! My uncle sent him up to RACE and he did the same with me, trying to make my life as good as Alan’s.

I have lived with him (Tommy) for 4 years and I love it because when I leave RACE at the weekend I go straight home to my horses and I groom, feed and ride them out.  I have trotting horses so I go out in the two wheeler with Tommy and his kid and pull into the shop. I was in the Garda Youth Project and they send a few young lads up to RACE and they got me the forms and helped me get my spot on the course.

 I tried out for RACE last year too but I didn’t get in. I said I was going to keep my head up and make my family, friends and the lads in the club proud.  I decided to give it another go and I came up and worked so hard to get were I am and I am so proud of myself and thankful to all the people that keep me were I want to be.  I am so happy to be here. I never used to get up for school and I am getting up at 7am every morning and I really enjoy this course and the people in it and the staff.
Since being in RACE, I have learned a lot and learned how to put on tack because it was my first time in a yard like RACE and I have good friends that always help me when I get stuck and that’s what I like about RACE, the groups of friends that are always there when you need them and I thank them a lot and the staff are so helpful, they might give out but they want you to learn from your mistakes.

I want to be a jockey and I am in the right place to get what I am hoping to get and I will work so hard to get what I came up here for.  Thanks to everyone that helped me through this and thanks to my Uncle and his wife and the youth workers. Bring on the future!

Lee was placed with Conor O’Dwyer on 27th February 2017

 

Lee riding on RACE Gallops for Family Day 2016

Meet the trainees - Vicky Kalverboer

Hi everyone,

My name is Vicky Kalverboer, I am 18 years old from the Netherlands.  I was on a horse before I could even walk but I got into competitions with my pony when I was 14.  I did dressage, show jumping and eventing, I loved the speed!  This is what got me interested in horse racing.  The first time I got in touch with horse racing was when we went to France for the holidays, I was only 9 years old, and went to a race meeting.  From that moment on I told my mum that I wanted to become a jockey. 

I came to the Open Day last year in April with my mom and I immediately knew I wanted to come to RACE.  I was really happy when I found out that I was accepted for the course. 
We are in RACE for 6 months at time writing this, time is flying by!  It is nice to live with the same people here on the campus, we all became friends.  I got sent out to John Oxx’s yard, it is a lovely place to work!  The people are really friendly and the horses are lovely to work with, I am learning a lot.  It is great how my family, my friends and everybody in RACE support me to follow my dream.  In the future I hope to become an apprentice and take out my licence to become a professional flat jockey.  I want to say to you all: follow your dreams and work hard to achieve them.

Vicky riding Private Server on the sand gallops on the Curragh

Meet the trainees - Eilis Breathnach Ni hEalaithe

My name is Eilis Breathnach.  I’m from Wicklow and I have always been interested in horses.   I have been able to ride for as long as I can remember and I always wanted to work with horses.  My family have always had horses and ponies at home and I was held up on a pony before I could walk.  I first learned to ride on Shetland ponies that we had at home and when I was eight I got my first proper pony and I still have her.  I started doing a few shows and hunts on her and I loved bringing her to the beach and going around home on her.  I got a horse then when I was older and I did a bit of everything on her but became interested in racing.

I decided to apply for RACE after going there on an open day with my older sister.  I applied for RACE as soon as I was old enough and was over the moon when I got in.  I am really enjoying the course and have learned a lot.  I love working down the barn and riding out especially on Maddenstown Gallops.  I had never ridden racehorses before and it took a while to get used to them, but I really enjoy it!

After a while I got in the rewards group and we got to visit a few racecourses and I found it very interesting to learn more about racing because I didn’t know that much about racing before I got here.  I can’t wait to go out to a trainer’s yard and I’m really looking forward to it. I would love to be a flat jockey when I am finished the course and be able to work with horses for as long as I can.

Eilis was placed with Michael Halford and the 13th of February 2017

Eilis warming up on Gallops for Family Day 2016

Meet the trainees - Chloe Finn O'Brien

My name is Chloe Finn O’Brien. I am from Ballyfermot, Dublin. I have always been interested in horses. Horses have always been in my family and played a big part in my life. I never liked school, I left straight after my junior cert and I was never in school. I always just wanted to be around horses.
Since I was young I wanted to become a National Hunt Jockey. I had never ridden a racehorse until I came to RACE. I did work experience in Moyglare Stud for a few weeks and they recommended that I go to RACE. I also heard about RACE from one of my friends who came here a few years ago. He really enjoyed the course and recommended that I apply.  I am really passionate about becoming a jockey and I am delighted that I applied.

I have been injured since November and up until the end of January, which has been frustrating but I have had lots of support from everyone at RACE. It’s now February and I’m catching up and loving being back in the saddle. I can’t wait to go on placement.

I am really enjoying it I have learned so much from being here. I have met so many nice people here and I hope to complete the course and go on and become a Professional National Hunt Jockey. 

Chloe was placed with Tracey Collins on 24th April 2017



 

Chloe doing riding display for Family Day in November 2016

Meet the trainees - Chelsea Hassel

Turning out horses for film shoot September 2016

My name is Chelsea Hassel and I’m from Cork and I’m 19 years old.  I’ve been riding Horses since I was a baby.  I did everything from pony club to hunting and only got into riding racehorses two years ago when I got a job with a small local trainer.  I was thrown up on everything and just told to “get on with it” so I never really learned properly how to ride racehorses.  The season before I came to RACE I was riding in Liam Burkes when I wasn’t at school (which was a lot) and I learned a lot from being there, which was something that did not happen the previous year.  Although I didn’t ride much in Liam’s, I really started to love the industry and it was there that I heard about RACE.

When I came to RACE I wasn’t really too sure what to expect but I thought it would be physically tough and now that I’ve been here so long and gotten fitter, it’s not bad at all!  Afternoon classes are a pain and so are the fitness tests but I can honestly say I’ve had the best laugh with the most amazing bunch of people and thinking back on how I used to ride, I only laugh now!.  RACE really isn’t what I expected as I didn’t think I’d have as much of a laugh as I have had the past few months. 
I haven’t been placed out on a yard yet but I’ve been told that  I will be out within the next week so I’m excited to find out where I’ll go although I’ll miss the laugh I have with Instructor,  Niall down the barn.
I don’t really know what my plans are for the future because at the beginning I just wanted to learn properly how to ride racehorses, so I could get into yards and not have trainers turning me down because of my age and gender,  but the more I stay here the more my plans change.  I’m hoping to get into a good yard and maybe stay as a senior and hopefully then I’ll get my National Hunt licence.

Chelsea was placed with James Nash on the 13th of February 2017

Meet the trainees - Loreena van Buuren

Hi, my name is Loreena van Buuren. I am 17 and I am originally from Holland but living in County Meath.
My dad was a farrier and he traveled all around the country to shoe horses and so I went with him most of the time and that is how I became interested in horses and now I am attending the Racing Academy here in Kildare. I first became interested in horses when I was only young and eventually got my own horse 5 years ago.  I never went to a riding school and so I taught myself how to ride.
One day, a few years ago, I had heard people talking about horse racing and jockeys. I started thinking about what they had said and so after that I researched different horses, jockeys and race courses and that was when I realized it was something I would love to do or even go to watch a race. One day a friend of my Mam asked me if I wanted to go to Punchestown racecourse. Of course, I said yes! It was a day I will never forget as I bet on a horse for the first time and he won. The horse was named Don Cossack, trained by Gordon Elliott and won the Gold Cup. I got loads of pictures that day and seeing all the jockeys and race horses really encouraged me to look more into it.

That same friend of my Mam wanted to attend an open day in Gordon Elliott’s yard in September 2014 and so I went with him. We got a tour around the yard and we were shown a various amount of good horses. Towards the end of the day, I remembered that I had work experience coming up for school in February 2015 and so it came to me that I really wanted to try working in Gordon Elliott’s for the week. I was really lacking in confidence but I thought it was something I wanted to do and so I went over to Gordon himself and said I had to do work experience soon and that I had a big interest in working for him. We had talked about it for a while and he asked me to send in my CV and I could get some work experience there.

The week of work experience came and I started working for Gordon. I learned many new things that day and for the first time I rode out a racehorse called Cape Glory. It started off really well but I got ran away with on my first time ever on a racehorse riding short! But after Cape Glory I got a second horse named Harrys Summer and that was really good. The rest of the week went really well and I learned many new skills such as getting horses ready for the races and taking care of injured horses and so on. It was a week that I will never forget and after that week, Gordon had contacted me and asked if I wanted to come back every Saturday to help out around the yard and ride out about 2 or 3 lots a day. It was something I have always wanted to do and I gained a lot of experience from doing it.
After RACE I hope to stay as a senior if I get a job out of my work placement.  I am currently doing ground work in the barn and I’m getting placed out to a Stud Yard soon.  I have talked to many people working out in Studs and they seem to love working with Foals.  All feedback has been very positive and so I feel I will really enjoy it and get great experience from it.  Although things didn’t turn out the way I had always hoped, I have had many people supporting me all the time and I’m looking forward to the new experience I will get.

Loreena was placed in Aga Khan Stud, Sheshoon on the 7th of February 2017

Meet the trainees - Kevin Brogan

Kevin heading out to Maddenstown Gallops in October 2016

Hello! My name is Kevin Brogan.  I am 16 years old.  I’m originally from Kill Co. Kildare.  I just completed my Junior Cert this year. 
I started riding horses at a later stage at 11 years of age.  I have attended weekly riding lessons with a lovely girl called April, she taught me loads and wasn’t afraid to throw me into the deep end!  When I was around 12 I saw a program on the TV called “The Irish Road to Cheltenham”. I watched the weekly episodes and week by week as I watched jockeys, Davy Russell and Andrew Lynch riding in races, I knew then I wanted to be a jockey.  April told me that her brother was in RACE and she said that you could train to be a jockey, ever since then I have wanted to attend the Trainee Jockey course. 
Fortunately I got picked for the trial week here in RACE and thankfully I got in.  Before the course started I spent a few weeks with local trainer Ted Walsh and gained a huge amount of experience in such a short space of time.  I still ride out in Ted’s on the Saturday mornings and I can feel a huge difference in my riding.
It’s half way through the course now and I’m now riding out with Robbie McNamara on the Curragh.  I’ve been there since the end of November and I’m really enjoying getting loads of experience.  Unfortunately just before Christmas I broke my collar bone and had to take a break from riding for just over five weeks.  I’m back in action now and I’m looking forward to going back to Robbie’s and continue riding out.
After the course I will spend the summer riding out and come September, I will take back up my place in Fifth year in Naas C.B.S.
I’m not a huge fan of school and I would love not to go back but I know now that I have to,  if I don’t go back and get my leaving cert, I will regret it down the line. 

While I’m in School I will probably take out an amateur license and try and pick up a few rides at the point to points and try and get as much experience as I can and hopefully, if things go well, maybe I’ll look toward getting a few rides on the track.

Kevin was placed with Robbie McNamara on the 21st of November 2016

Meet the trainees - Jack Dinneen

Jack on RACE Gallops, February 2017

Craic lads!! My name is Jack and I’m a trainee jockey in R.A.C.E.  I’m 16 years old and from West Cork, Kealkill.   My first love of horses was when I was 9 years old when my dad bought a pony for showing.  When the pony was being sent to be broken the women breaking the pony said send a young lad up with the pony and I’ll teach him how to ride and he can then ride the pony.   I always had the love of horses since I was young and when I got the opportunity to learn how to ride I was only delighted.   When I went up to the yard first it was a bit daunting but once I got to know the lads working there it became good crack.  Even though we had the crack I always took it serious. If I had to start naming all the friends I made up there the list would never end but the 2 lads I definitely had the best crack with was Johnny Callaghan and John Goggin the things we used to do was just incredible and they were my idols since a young age; sadly John passed away, he died in a car crash but a day doesn’t pass by that I don’t think of him. 
When I got older I wanted to go on to do better things like John and Johnny did so I left the place.  I was very thankful for all the experience they gave me but I wanted to go to a race yard.  I got into Robert Tyner’s yard down in Kinsale.  I was buzzing going there the first day, loved race horses and always wanted to ride them.  Robert and Mary were great to me and really thought me how to ride a race horse. Okay I  probably wasn’t the best now, but they still thought me the majority of what  I know about racehorses,  and of course we can’t forget about the lads in the yard,  they were a huge help  giving me tips on how to tidy up. 
Then one summer I got to ride out in Thomand O’ Maher, this was the first time I had to stay away from home. It was hard for the first night but as I got to know the lads in the yard it became easier. I had a great 2 weeks up there, but it was tough and the horses were strong.  I think I nearly got ran away with most of the horses I rode out, but I was young and I was getting better as the weeks went on and Thomand was great too,  he helped me and understood that I was young. 
This year I rode out in Jim Bolger’s. It was a whole new experience for me, Jim being one of the best flat trainers in Ireland, everything had to be perfect up there and yes,  a lot to take in the first week, but after a while I got the hang of things and got the hang of doing everything so perfect. I got loads of riding experience and made a lot of new friends up there too. 
Now I’m here in RACE and so far it’s great!!!  Since I’ve been in RACE, I have been in the rewards group twice. The rewards group is when they pick the people who are working the most hard out of the course and give them extra time on the simulators and in the gym and we get to go to exciting race meetings. It’s great! It makes you feel better about yourself when you get in it.
 I have been placed out in a yard with Christy Roche. He’s a great trainer and I’m very happy with him and he is a great help and all the lads out the yard are good craic too and help me where to improve. I really like it out there!

R.A.C.E is great because you can pursue your dream and still be able to do your education and of course there is only one dream and that’s to be a Jockey hopefully one day I will get there. I will keep my head down and learn as much as possible and hopefully one day I will make it.
Out of all the people I thanked for helping me to get here, probably two people I can’t thank enough and that is my Mom and Dad.  They always helped me along the way and never doubted me and gave me spins (in the car) everywhere, so I really appreciate them and probably don’t thank them enough.

Jack was place with Christy Roche on the 21st of November 2017

Meet The Trainees - Rebecca Taynor

My name is Rebecca Traynor and I am 16 years old. I am from Barndarrig County Wicklow close to Brittis Bay Beach. I first got an interest in horses from a very young age about 5 years old then I began to learn to ride. When I was about 10 years old I began competing in the likes of hunter trialing and showjumping. Around the same time, I got a Connemara pony who thought me more than I could ever have imagined but let me tell you he was no walk in the park!! I started hunting three seasons ago on my 14.2 and we quickly found that hunting was both his and my favourite pastime. A close friend of my Dads and family friend, Loran Donnelly,  took me under his wing like a daughter of his own about 4 years ago when he saw me galloping around hunter trail courses flat to the boards with little steering and no brakes to be found!

 From there I developed as a person and a little rider, my confidence grew as I was riding out up the gallops and down Brittis Bay Beach every weekend and early mornings through hail, rain and snow. It was what I looked forward to every weekend. I enjoyed going racing from time to time as well.  Last year I got my own thoroughbred ex-polo pony which I evented as a four and five year old. Caberenet gave me many thrills and spills and he’s now enjoying his year off, as I’m typing this, with his head buried in the grass. I hope to bring him back into work next summer.
I enjoyed being part of showjumping and hunter trialing but riding out up the gallop had my heart.  For a stage I had the nickname of being “little Rebecca” and I thought I’d never grow or be able to hold a horse but I did. From then on I knew I wanted to be a National Hunt Jockey. I’m naturally a thrill seeker and I enjoy nothing more than jumping a fence.

At the moment in R.A.C.E it’s still early days in the course but my knowledge has grown leaps and bounds. I’ve made new friends as we all share the same interests. I really enjoy working strong at fitness as I play a lot of football when I’m at home. I used to dread school everyday, waking up to walk in the school doors and stare at books full of information that will never be of any use to me. I now jump up out of bed every morning as I know everyday I’m one step closer to being where I want to be!!  At the moment I have been placed with Tracey Collins on the Curragh and I am really enjoying it.

In the future I want to take out a Conditional Licence and hopefully go from there and be race riding at a high level in the National Hunt circuit. I know that National Hunt racing in Ireland is still very male dominated but that doesn’t put me off or phase me even in the slightest. I look up to National Hunt jockeys, the likes off Nina Carberry and David Mullins. I haven’t fully made up my mind yet what I want to do after R.A.C.E but I hope to get placed with a good trainer, work hard and hopefully for my career to go in the right direction after that.
 
Rebecca was placed with Tracey Collins as part of the first group to be placed on the 21st of November 2016

Rebecca (in front) heading out to Maddenstown Gallops in October 2016