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