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| 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
