Meet the trainees - Shelley Brickley

Hi, I’m Shelley and I’m from Skibbereen in west Cork.  I’m 16 years old and I’ve been riding horses for as long as I can remember.  I started riding ponies at a very young age and did a good bit of showing which is definitely where I got my competitiveness from!  My Dad and Granddad trained and raced standardbred racehorses and when I was 12 years old I started racing them.  I got the feel for speed and from then onward, I knew I wanted to be a jockey.  I had heard about RACE from a good few people and I knew that once I was the right age I would apply.

The trial week was very tough but a good experience all the same.  Once I found out I got on the course, I knew it would be a big change, but I was delighted to have gotten the place.  We started to get to know the routine of the barn and the run of school and within a month we were all settled in.  The most challenging part was fitness. Wayne (our fitness coach) would always push us hard in the gym and the results would always show in the fitness tests.  In the RACE barn, I have learned a lot about the different elements of working in a yard as well as improving my riding too.

In January I was sent out to Michael Halford.  At the start it was hard to settle into such a big yard, with over 100 horses, but everyone was helpful and I soon settled in.  I am working at the yard full time now, riding 5/6 lots every day.  It is a great feeling getting to ride work with other Jockeys.  They are always helping me improve my riding and all the little tips help you to get better.  I’ll be working full time for the summer and I hope to take out a license in a few months, while going back to school to complete my Leaving Cert too.  I hope to get a few rides for experience and once I have my Leaving Cert completed, I want to try my best as a jockey and with a bit of luck it’ll work out!

Shelley was place with Michael Halford on the 22^nd of January 2018

Riding on RACE Gallops for Family Day

Meet the trainees - Darragh Keogh

Hi! My name is Darragh Keogh but everyone calls me ‘Fish’. I am 16 years old. I am from a small place that not many people have heard of called Kilberry in County Kildare, it is only a 20 minutes’ drive from RACE. I have a great interest in horses and the Racing Industry. I have worked with horses since I was about 12 years old and I am from a hunting background. I have worked with trainer Maurice Phelan since 2016 and I have learned a lot there before coming to RACE in August 2017.

For work placement, I was sent out to Dermot Welds top yard by. I was in Rosewell for a few days before I was sent to the bottom yard and loved it there. I am now in the bottom yard in Rathbride, riding yearlings, two-year olds and older horses. I love it there and I have gained plenty of experience and plenty of advice from Amateur, Flat, National Hunt Jockeys both retired and currently licensed, such as Derek McCormack and Tommy Tracey.

When I finish the course at RACE, I hope to move on to a National Hunt yard and take out a Conditional Licence.

Darragh was placed with Dermot Weld on the 20^th of November 2017

First week of course

Meet the trainees - Orla McKenna

My name is Orla McKenna I am 19 years old and I am from Monaghan. I have been interested in horses since a young age. I started horse riding lessons when I was six years old and it wasn’t long before I had horses of my own.  I have always been interested in horses and Horse Racing and although I had no racing experience, I decided to apply for this course to open up my options.

I was delighted when I found out I had been accepted onto the course. So far, I am loving it here! Each morning we get up and head down to the barn, we muck out a few stables each and then we tack up and ride out three lots.

At the beginning of February, I was sent out on placement to Michael Halford's yard. Most days I ride out five lots including the two-year-old filly’s and colts. I start work at 7 am every morning so I wake up at 6am every day to get my bus at 6.25 am.

Orla was placed with Michael Halford on the 14^th of February 2018

Riding on RACE Gallops for Family Day 

Meet the trainees - Sarah Dunne

My name is Sarah Dunne.  I am 16 years old and I am from Ballygarrett in Wexford.  I have been riding for 10 years.  Before I came to RACE I took part in eventing and hunting.  I was in the Pony Club for 6 years.  I have always enjoyed watching Racing and attending Races with my Dad and Brother at Punchestown, The Curragh and Wexford.  Two summers ago, I helped my Aunt get a point-to-point horse fit for Racing and last year I competed in events on her.  Last November I was also helping her (my Aunt) get two more thoroughbred Mares fit for racing after Christmas.

I heard about RACE two years ago, it was my Aunt who told me about RACE. Her older Brother attended RACE in 1987. She recommended the course to me. I went to the Open Day in April and I thought it sounded great! I came to the trial week and I was delighted to get in.

I started at Johnny Murtagh’s yard in January 2018. I love it out there. I usually get there at 7.30 am and we finish at 12.45 am. We tack up our first lot when we get there and put the horses on the walker. Then we muck out their stables and fill water buckets. We ride out on the sand gallops, the fox cover or up Walsh’s Hill. Our first two lots are the older horses and then after tea break we usually ride 3 of the 2-year-olds.

After RACE I want to take out a license for the flat.

Sarah was placed with Johnny Murtagh on the 22^nd of January 2018

Cooling down after riding demonstration for Family Day 

Meet the trainees - Mark O'Neill

My name is Mark O’Neill, I am from Kildare and I am 16 years old.  The first time I ever sat on a horse I was 12years old.  I went to a local riding school about 10 minutes away from where I lived called Pitfield Equestrian.  From the second I started riding I loved it!  

I never thought about being a jokey until I was 13 years old.  I went to the Punchestown Festival with my father and from that time onwards I wanted to become a jockey.  Around this time, my friend Tommy Mahon was doing the Trainee Jockey Course in RACE and that’s how I found out about RACE.  He recommended that I should go to RACE after my Junior Cert.  When I first said it to my parents my Father said that it was a good idea and my Mother said that no way am I leaving school! But, when she came to the Open Day here in RACE on the 21^st of March she completely changed her mind. 

So, I sent an application in for the Trial Week soon after visiting RACE.  When I got a letter saying that I was accepted to the trial week I was delighted! The trials were hard work but I kept my head down and worked very hard. I enjoyed my time on the trial.  When I got a letter back from RACE saying that I passed and was accepted I was completely shocked, I could not believe that I had got in!

When I first started here on my first week it was a big difference form what I did before coming to RACE, but I really enjoyed it.  I liked getting up early in the morning and going down to the RACE barn.  I really enjoyed riding out in RACE and I had a great time there.   Then after a couple of months down in the RACE barn I was ready to go out on placement. I was sent out to Conor O’Dywer’s yard and I am really enjoying it there.  I like the early morning starts and riding out on the Curragh.  I am learning a lot in the yard and I am getting on great out there.  

When I finish in RACE I am going back to do my Leaving Cert after the summer. I hope to work with horses in the future.

Mark was placed with Conor O’ Dwyer on the 14^th of February 2018

Family Day 2017

Meet the trainees - Anna Keirns

My name is Anna Keirns. I am 16 years old and from Ballybrittas in County Laois.  I have always had a strong love for horses from a very young age and I’ve been riding for as long as I can remember.  I began my riding experience in Stradbally Equestrian Centre where I did dressage, show jumping and eventing.  I’ve competed in a lot of shows and hunter trials around the county and I’ve also hunted quite a bit with the Laois Foxhounds and the North Kildare Farmers.  At a young age I started going to the local point to points and then started going to other Races such as the Curragh and Punchestown and that is how I got my interest in racing which lead me to apply for the Trainee Jockey Course here at RACE.

A day in the life of a trainee jockey here at RACE can be very exciting with all the thrills and spills on a day to day basis. Whether it’s here on the RACE Gallops or over on the Curragh Plains and Maddenstown Gallops. In the morning, so far, we head down to the barn for 8 o’ clock and the first thing we do is to check the board in the tack room to see which horse is to go onto the walker and then we go and muck out as many stables as we can or that we are assigned to do. When the first group have gone out to trainer’s yards we just work from the top of the barn and work our way down and then go onto the straw barn or isolation barn. After mucking out we go and clean up and sweep the barn.  After all is done we go and tack up our first lot and ride out.  Every day varies between two or three lots and we usually ride out on the gallops or either out on the Curragh Plains or Maddenstown Gallops. After all our riding is done and all of the horses are groomed and tack is put away we skip out, hay and feed all the barns and finish up by sweeping up the yard and barn. 

In the evenings we go over to the classrooms and we have 3 hours of classes per day from 2.15 pm – 5.15 pm. In these classes we do Maths, Business, Work Practice, Communications, IT, Health Related Fitness and Racehorse Care and Exercise. In each class we have assignments and portfolio. All have deadlines that everyone must follow.  After school on Wednesday we have a Mass, so school finishes earlier for this.

After school we go up to the Canteen for tea and afterwards we have the Gym and the option to go to the simulator.

Now, at the end of the course, I have met friends for life and would never regret my decision to come to RACE.

Anna was placed with Patrick Harty on the 14^th of February 2018

Training on RACE Gallops

Meet the trainees - Neil Ryan

Hi! My name is Neil Ryan and I am 16 years old and from Leixlip Co. Kildare. My earliest memory of horses was when I was 5\6 years old and I was sent off to a pony camp in Clane Co. Kildare. I enjoyed that week so much that I kept riding and going for lessons. It all really started when I found out there was a riding school just down the road from my Grandparent’s house in Cahir, Co. Tipperary. There I spent Summers riding ponies and competing in shows and events.

I enjoyed my first few weeks on the course at RACE and have done so much schooling and riding up Maddnestown. I enjoyed this a lot because it was nice to do something other than just riding on the gallops at home.

As of week 13 the first group of us were sent out to yards on work placement.  I got sent out to Kevin Prendergast’s yard. I have learned so much out there and I am looking forward to the start of the flat season and seeing the 2-year olds that I’ve been riding getting their chance running on the track.

A typical day for me starts by leaving RACE on the 6.10am bus every morning and go out to work. We muck out on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are our work mornings. We usually have 3 or 4 lots every day with a mixture of 2-year olds and older horses. I have found everyone in the yard very helpful and the jockeys out there (Gary Halpin, Dylan Hogan, Mikey Melia and Chris Hayes) are always giving me advice on ways to improve my riding.

During the course we also had to complete the QQI Level 4 in subjects such as Communications, IT, Work Practice, Business Calculations and Level 5 Racehorse Care and Exercise. I have enjoyed these classes and I am hoping for high marks all round. I am hoping to further my education by attending night classes next year at RACE to complete the QQI Level 5.

Fitness is also a big part of the course and I was very surprised how much my fitness progressed as I was always active playing hurling, football and soccer with Confey and Leixlip United.

I have really enjoyed the course and am excited to finish up and see what the future holds.

Neil was placed with Kevin Prendergast on the 20^th of November 2017

Schooling on RACE Gallops

Meet the trainees - Ciara Murphy

Hi, my name is Ciara Murphy, I’m 16 years old and from Kilcormac Co. Offaly I have always had an interest in horses. I first sat on a horse when I was 6 years old.  Before I came to RACE I had hunted a lot and took part in dressage, show jumping and cross country.

A normal day in the barn would start at 7 am, I get dressed and go down for breakfast. Then we go down to the pool room at 7.50 am and go down to the barn at 8 am. We then go into the tack room, look for our lots and go muck out the boxes. We tack up our lots and ride out. After that we do jobs around the barn and finish at 12:30 pm. The lads down in the barn are very helpful and can teach you a lot.  They can have a laugh with you too especially with Niall Byrne and his jokes!

I first heard of RACE through a graduate of RACE. He really recommended the course so I said it to my Mam and she was delighted I was going to do something, because I was never great at school and I was in my element applying here! So, we came for the Open Day and I knew that RACE was where I want to be.

A day at my yard from work placement starts 7 am and the horses are fed and all their temperatures are taken. A few horses are put on the walker and we tack up our first lot and ride out on Maddenstown gallop. After all lots are ridden, we do a few jobs around the yard like haying, feeding and all that. My yard has given me great experience since I went out there.

 Ciara was placed with Tracey Collins on the 22^nd January 2018

Training on RACE Gallops

Meet the trainees - Sean Byrne

H!  My name is Sean Byrne. I am 16 years old and from Maddenstown Co. Kildare. I have been riding horses for about 6 years. I started Showjumping 5 years ago and I am hunting about 3 years also. I have been involved with Racehorses for 2 years and I currently work for Jessica Harrington. I have wanted to be a jockey from a young age. I always loved watching horseracing on the TV.

A typical morning at RACE for me is waking up at 7.30am and go for breakfast. I go down to the barn for 8 am.  We muck out 2 horses and then we tack up our first lot, we head out to ride them on RACE gallops and then we walk them off and wash their legs. Then we bring them back to their stable and groom them. At 10 am we go up for tea and we finish that at 10.30 am. We then tack up our 2^nd lot. For our 2^nd lot we could be schooling or going up Maddenstown gallops. After that we would skip out, hay, sweep the barn and then feed the horses.

A typical morning on my work placement with John Oxx would be getting up at 5.35 am and heading for breakfast. I have to be on the RACE bus for about 6 am and when I get into work I take my horse off the walker and tack it up and ride out. We usually go for tea break at 9:30 and then at 10 am we tack up our 3^rd lot and ride our last 3 lots.  I usually finish up at 1 pm.

Sean was placed with John Oxx on 20^th November 2017

Training on the Curragh

Meet the trainees - Dylan Johnston

Hi, my name is Dylan Johnston and I am 16 years old.  I’m from Dublin and have always loved horses since the first time I sat up on one when I was 6.  Before I came to RACE, I rode out for a few trainers such as; Gordon Elliot (jumps) and Ado McGuiness (flat and jump).  My interest in horse racing began when my grandad would always bring me racing 99% of Saturdays and quite a few Sundays too! I remember being racing at The Leopardstown Christmas Festival and seeing the jockeys walking into the parade ring and ever since then I’ve always wanted to be a jockey.

I first started riding out for Ado McGuiness, which was when I was first told about RACE. Unfortunately, I was way too young so, I had to put that plan on hold for a while! But, when I came of age, I attended one of the RACE Open Days in March 2017 and immediately knew I wanted to try to get a place on The Trainee Jockey Course 17/18.

I applied after the Open Day and got a letter to say that I had been accepted on the trial week. On the trial week we were all really put through our paces! I was delighted when I got my letter to say that I had been accepted onto the course.

I arrived in late August and got settled in straight away. In the first few weeks we visited The National Stud and Kildangan Stud as well as taking a trip to Gowran Park Racecourse. We started riding out straight away and were separated into our groups. I went to the National Ploughing Championships in September with RACE, it was great fun and everyone had a fantastic time.

In late November I got the news that I was going to be placed with Ken Condon in the first round of placements. Ken has a lovely yard with a lot of 2-year old’s, 3-year old’s and a handful of nice older horses. Ken and his wife Pauline are fantastic and from my very first day they were putting me up on anything and everything. Ken never stops trying to help me improve and I definitely won’t be taking it all for granted.  After Christmas another trainee, Tori, came out to our yard and things were stepped up a level. We head in for 6:10am every morning riding first lot at 7:00am.  With the flat season getting closer we had a lot of new 2-year old’s that are doing their first pieces of work done on the ‘Old Vic’ and Ken is great for giving me my chance and giving me tips! 

Having Shane Foley and Niall McCullough riding with you is another thing that just improves you so much.  It’s a priceless opportunity having two experienced jockeys with as many winners as they have!  It’s such an exciting thing seeing the 2-year old’s getting better and better by the day!

Throughout the year we’ve had some brilliant guest speakers in to talk to us.  In October we had a previous RACE graduate, Jody McGarvey in with us! Then in January we had last year’s Champion Apprentice in England, David Egan in to explain the importance of fitness in race riding. We also had the pleasure of a visit from Davy Russell who shared his experiences in the racing industry and last but not least, Ruby Walsh came in! He had great stories to tell and was brilliant to hear his stories and views on racing. All speakers in January took away the pain of the cold mornings and the rain! 

I’m have just finished my assessment week (at the time of writing this blog) back in RACE and it was very enjoyable. We did lots of schooling and riding upsides out Maddenstown Gallops! It was great to get back on the horses in the barn before we finished up the course.

After the course I’ll be happy getting into a good National Hunt Yard and I am going to keep learning, improving and hopefully get a chance in race rides during next season!

Dylan was placed with Ken Condon on the 20^th of November 2018.

Dylan (pictured left) with fellow trainee John heading out to Maddenstown Gallops

Meet the trainees - Dean Carroll

My name is Dean Carroll I am 16 years old and I am from Touraneena in Waterford. I started riding ponies when I was 8 years old and I always had an interest in riding. I contacted a local trainer over the road from me when I got older looking for a job. When I started there, I saw him (the trainer) riding on the gallop and I knew then that was what I wanted to do.

I started off doing the basics, like mucking out, taking up horses and putting them on the walker.  I started riding the quite horses and then got the hang of riding a few of the trickier ones.  I then heard about RACE. I applied for the Open Day and went for a look at the Campus.  When I found out I got in I couldn’t wait to start!  It’s a 42-week course commencing in September and finishing with a graduation in June.

During my time at RACE I have improved my fitness levels and my riding skills.  Back in November, I was sent to Michael Grassick Junior near TRI on the Milltown Road.  Each morning, I ride 5 lots at the yard and some lots on the Curragh.  I have gained a lot of experience riding with Michael and Kevin Coleman.   Kevin is a great help around the yard and advises me on my riding skills and yard duties. 

Over the past few months we have had a good few speakers in to give us advice including Davy Russel, Ruby Walsh, Johnny Murtagh, David Egan, Jody McGarvey. They talked about how to become a jockey.  In June I hope to take out a License.

Dean was placed with Michael Grassick on the 20^th of November 2018

Heading out to Maddenstown Gallops

Meet the Trainees - Adam Collier Williams

Hello! My name is Adam Williams and I’m from Taghmon in Wexford.  I was always interested in horses ever since I was young and we always kept a few horses at home. When I was younger I went to the Wexford Races and I fell in love with racing, that is when I first decided I wanted to become a jockey. Having gone to one race meeting, I started to go every weekend. I even went over to Aintree in England.

I found out about RACE from talking to a past pupil of RACE who lived near me.  I was really interested in what he had to say about RACE and so I decided that I would go home and look RACE up. I had a quick look at their Facebook page and read about it on Google. The minute I finished looking at the pages I ran into my parents and I told them that I really wanted to apply for the course. So, I got all the forms and I sent them off. I went to an Open Day and I did the trial. A few months later I got a letter saying “Congratulations! You have been accepted into RACE”.  I was over the noon!

At the time of writing this piece for the Trainee Blog, we are four months into the course and it’s brilliant! It’s a really good experience and there are nice people up here. I have meet a lot of new friends and we are like one big family.

I was sent out to Patrick Prendergast in January and I’ve learned a lot so far and I am getting lots of experience, like how to hold stronger horses. Patrick is very nice and he helps me a lot and I have learned a lot. I work with Patrick every week. When I go home I work for local trainer, Kieran Roche. I have really learned a lot with Kieran also and he would bring me off schooling most weekends and we would also go to the beach.

In February I fell of a horse and had a tear in the ligaments in my Ankle.  I was out for 4 weeks and I really missed riding out and I couldn’t wait to get back up and back out to work. I looked forward to getting back on top of my fitness. Hopefully in June I will take out a License and hopefully have a successful career in racing!

Adam was placed with Patrick Prendergast on the 22^nd of January 2018

Training on RACE Gallops in the Snow!

Meet the trainees - Tara Roche

Well, my name is Tara Roche. I’m 16 years old and I’m from Clifden, Co.Galway. I’ve always loved horses from a young age, ever since I first sat up on a horse I was hooked! When I was 8 years old I joined my local Pony Club, I also did show jumping and showing. It was a great way to get experience, but I always wanted to be a jockey because I loved going fast and I am competitive.

Since starting in RACE, my riding has improved greatly from the coaching we have gotten in the RACE barn. The experience we have gained from the barn has been great. We get to school over hurdles and fences, ride on the Curragh plains and the Maddenstown Gallops. When we ride out we have ear pieces so they (our instructors) can tell us what we need to change to improve whilst riding. We also get videoed riding and watch the re-play in slow motion to see what we needed to change or improve on, which was great!

We have fitness sessions twice a week with our Strength and Conditioning Coach, Wayne. He always pushes us hard, but I feel like I am so much fitter and stronger now than at the start of the course. We have also had simulator coaching from Instructor, Paddy Flood. I’ve learned loads from that and it  has helped improve my style on the simulator a lot.

In May we will be doing the Bogathon with Gaisce and I am really looking forward to it.

We also got to go to the Ploughing and race meetings with RACE which was good craic and I really enjoyed it!

I’m really enjoying the Trainee Jockey Course and I have made really good friends. I was sent out to John Feane on placement and I really like his yard. I am getting loads of experience out there. After RACE, I hope to take out my License and ride a few winners!

Tara was placed with John Feane on the 22nd of January 2018.

Outdoor arena - week 1 of course

Meet the trainees - Ben Kennedy

Hi my name is Ben Kennedy. I am 16 years old and from Dingle County Kerry. I was always sitting on ponies all my life but I started riding at a trekking centre near Dingle when I was 5 or 6 years old. I always loved racing and got my first taste of racing at the flapping in Dingle. My Dad has been in the committee for as long as I can remember and I suppose that is where my interest came from.

I remember going Pony Racing with my Dad and I had always wanted to try it. I got that chance when me and Dad went to North Kerry to look at a 12’2 Pony, called ‘In The Zone’.  A small black Pony with a white face and 2 different coloured eyes. He was no more thoroughbred than me, but it made no difference to me as we set off every Sunday to the Races.

‘In The Zone’ was a brilliant first pony and I learned loads on him, but as I got taller and heavier it was time for a step up. My last season with him was definitely not my best as I was too heavy for 12’2s, but I managed my first winner in Balleyferriter in a local Race on a Pony called Bradley, and I backed up the following year in the Race with the Same pony.  I started going away from home when I was about 12 years old.  I would go to Mallow to The O’Keeffe’s and I learned a lot. I then started riding in Tom Coopers on Saturdays.

I made the decision to come to RACE last summer after the open day. I was delighted when I got onto the course and I think I have improved massively since the start. For work placement, I was placed with Dermot Weld.  I am really enjoying working there.  I ride about 5 lots a day, most of them on Mr Weld’s Gallops and sometimes on the Curragh. 

When I finish at RACE I hope to apply for my Licence and become an Apprentice Jockey and then perhaps race under National Hunt  Rules.

Week 1 of the course, outdoor arena

Meet the trainees - Aidan Kelly

My name is Aidan Kelly. I am 16 years old and I am from Monasterevin, Co. Kildare.

I was always interested in horses ever since I was a young age. My Mother and Father had A Pony of their own which had a Foal and was sold by my Uncle.

I have hunted a lot on my own horse throughout the Winter and during the Summer. I would ride my neighbour’s horses (Pat Harrison or Buddy as he is known as).  When I was 14 I start working with Michael Halford, this improved my riding a lot.  I often visited the Curragh Racecourse and would enjoy seeing the horses fly up the home straight. I have wanted to become a jockey ever since Johnny Murtagh visited my local Chapel talking about his life, horses and the ups and downs throughout his life.

I heard about RACE when Mikey Melia joined the course 2 years ago. He told me about the course and ever since then I have wanted to go to RACE. I went to an open day and soon after I received a letter telling me I should attend a Trial Week. I was overwhelmed when after a few weeks, I was notified that I got a place on the course. 

I started down in the barn and really enjoyed my time down there riding out 2 lots and learning more information that I never knew about horses.  My riding improved more and more and eventually I was sent out on work placement to Christie Roche on the 20^th of November 2017. 

On my first day I rode 6 lots!  There are about 15 horses in training.   It’s ‘so far so good’ in Christie’s. He let me school around the ‘8’ on the Curragh a handful of times.  I go into Christie’s every Saturday also as it gets me out of the house for a few hours. 

My daily routine in the yard is to get in there before anyone else does and start working.  I am usually in the yard for around 6:40 am as I cycle and don’t have to wait for the bus.  I get into the yard and muck out the 5 horses. I look after them and bed them down. We then go tack up our first lot and give them a walk.  It’s the same every morning. We ride that lot and move on to the next, tacking them up before we go for our tea break.  We then ride out the rest of our lots. When we finish riding out we feed and do whatever else is needed to be done and usually finish for around 12:30 pm.  In February 2018 Christie retired and his son, Padraig took over the training in the yard. Since then we a few more horses to look after, so there are about 20 horses in now. 

I am looking forward to getting my National Hunt Licence when I have finished the course and I hope to have plenty of winners in the future! 

Aidan (nearside) upsides on long straight, Maddenstown (Assessment Week)

Meet the trainees - Tori Fennessy O'Brien

Hi my name is Tori Fennessy O’Brien, I am 17.  I am from Ballyfore, Co. Offaly.  I have always had a love for horses ever since I was young.  

I started horse riding lessons when I was 6 and I’ve done pony club and showjumping.  I’ve wanted to be a jockey since I was 6.  I can’t remember why I’ve just always loved horse racing.  

I came to an open day at RACE in March and then applied for the trial week.  The trial week was 'tough nut'! I just tried my hardest and worked really hard.  When I got the letter saying I was accepted to RACE I was over the moon and couldn’t wait to start.

A typical day in the barn,  I get up at 7 and get dressed and go for breakfast and at 8 we go to the barn.  When we get to the barn we muck out all the horse boxes and then sweep the barn.  After we muck out we check our lots and tack up our horses.  We warm up in the arena and then go out onto the gallops and canter 5 or 6 laps.  We would usually have 2 or 3 lots a day.  The instructors in the barn are really helpful and I’ve learned a lot from them.

In the evenings we go to school from 2-5 pm.  The school here is more enjoyable than actual school and the teachers are really good and give you a lot of help.  Every Monday we have fitness sessions with our coach Wayne. The training with Wayne really helps keep you fit and he is a really good coach.  During our free time we can also go down and use the gym and simulators.  

On Wednesdays, we go to Pilates with John, who is also our Chef and it is really relaxing.  

On Wednesday the 14^th of February 2018 I will be sent out to Ken Condon. I am excited to be starting and hope to get more experience there.

Tori (nearside) riding alongside Instructor Katie on Assessment Week in April 2018

Meet the trainees - Michael McGrath

My Name is Mikey McGrath I am 18 years old and I am from Carrick –on- Suir Co. Tipperary. At a young age I was never into horse riding or ever thinking of becoming a jockey, but I have two cousins who were jockeys Mick Kinane and Lawrence McGrath and they were two very good jockeys! 

As I got older I always loved watching horse racing, but still never got up on a horse until I was 17 years old. I went to a few horse meetings like Tramore, Gowran Park, and Thurles and watching all this racing made me think of becoming a jockey.

I did my Leaving Certificate last year. My Mother and Father knew that I wanted to become a jockey and that I liked horses and one day I walked out of school and jumped into the car with my Mam and Dad and they started talking to me about the Curragh and the Racing Academy.They said that they had booked an open day in April.  I was so excited about it but also nervous,thinking that I wasn't going to get in because I had no riding experience,but in saying that,here I am now in RACE. I am learning every day and the people up here training us are very good.

I think it is so cool up here,like the people you see and the people you meet are very big in horse racing and it is an experience of a life time. My riding has gotten a lot better.
I fell off trotting on my first week, which was brutal and I thought I was never going to learn how to ride.Looking at all my other classmates up here riding all the strong horses which kind of made me feel bad enough, but I kept giving it everything and finally I was learning and getting better and I am actually picking it up quick enough.
 I also ride out on the weekends in P.J.Colvilles and I love it there.I am getting good experience out there.

Every Monday we do fitness training sessions with our coach Wayne Middleton.

It is very good and will stand to us keeping fit and the gym is also available on a Tuesday and Thursday because on a Wednesday we do Pilates with John, our Chef. This is really helpful and it allows us to relax our minds for an hour. 

I was sent out on work placement to  John Feane and I really like it there.We start at half 6 in the morning,  riding out at 8. I am also getting lots of experience there riding stronger horses which is standing to me everyday!

Michael was placed with John Feane on the 22nd of January 2018

Family Day November 2017

Meet the trainees - Katie Reddington

My name is Katie Reddington.  I’m 16 and from Garristown Co. Dublin. Where I live, everyone has something to do with horses or farming.  I first got interested in horses when I went to follow a hunt and that’s all I wanted to do afterwards. I started lessons when I was 5 years old, but when I learned to ride I got bored of just going around in an arena, so my mothers friend sorted me out with a pony to hunt and every time I fell off I had a big smile on my face and wanted to get up and go faster.

 A couple years later I got my own pony who I still hunt now, with the Ward Union and the Fingal Harriers. I always went to Bellewstown and Fairyhouse racing whenever the big 'Meets' were on and every time I went I knew I wanted to be the one going really fast over the hurdles.

I wanted to come to RACE since I was 12 years old. I first heard about it from a friend, Siobhan Rutledge who lives near me and came through RACE. She told me how amazing it was.

I started RACE at the end of August and on the 4^th week I broke my ankle (while at home), I didn’t tell anyone for a week and rode on with it and it got worse. I wasn’t allowed down to the barn at all and that was really hard for me.  So I spent my mornings down in the gym everyday for 5 weeks. I am now back riding and fitter than ever!

 At week 16, Christmas holidays were around the corner and I was so excited to go home for Christmas. We put up the Christmas Tree in RACE, it took us about an hour to put it up.

I was placed in Kevin Prendergast’s yard in January and I love it there, its great craic! All the lads out in the yard are sound as well. I’m riding 2 year old and 3 years old horses and getting on great! 

I get up at 5:30 am every morning and get the RACE Bus at 6:10 am. It’s so cold in the mornings like -2, -1, degrees. When the summer months come I will be up earlier again because the mornings will get brighter. Hope I get on well after the course.

Thanks for reading …. Goodluck!

Katie on RACE Gallops in September2017

Meet the trainees - John Shinnick

Hi, my name is John Shinnick. I am 16 years old and I am from Co. Cork. 

I have a big interest in horses. I got my first pony at 7 years old I got involved in the local Pony Club for a year which was a great experience. I love hunting.  I whip in with my local hunt and I also do showjumping in the summer. I have won 7 drag hunts and this is what inspired me to become a jockey - “the thrill of winning”!

So far I like it here in RACE and time is flying. All the Instructors down in the barn have taught me a lot.  They have done loads with us. They bring us to the Curragh most weeks. They brought us Schooling on the Curragh strip and also brought us to Maddenstown Gallops. Now its time to go out to a trainer (on work placement) and they have me well prepared.

I have been sent out to Michael Halford and I am loving it at his yard.  All the lads who work there are sound out and also very helpful to me. I am learning loads at his yard, and watching the good jockeys ride in his yard is teaching me a lot. After being there 8 weeks, I was let ride work a few times which is the best feeling in the world! Flying up the gallop, showing off your style hoping that it all works out alright. 

I am also working on the weekends when I go home at Grove Stud. I’m learning loads over there as I am riding plenty of 2 year olds, getting them ready for the breeze up season coming. All the lads there are sound out and good craic. There is nothing better than coming home to a bit of craic!

Hopefully things will work out well for me after this course.  

John was placed with Michael Halford with the first group in November 2017.

Training on the Curragh in September 2017

Meet the trainees - Reece O'Connor

Hi my name is Reece O Connor. I’m from Dunshaughlin Co. Meath and I’m 16 years old. I’ve had an interest in horses since I was 3 or 4 years old. Before I came to RACE I did a good bit of showjumping, hunting, hunter trials and pony racing,  I still do. When I was around 12, I started riding out for Noel Meade. It’s great riding out there with all the people, and listening to what the lads and girls have to say, helping you improve and even watching the likes of Sean Flanagan, Johnny Moore, Ger Fox and all them.

The normal day in RACE would be getting up at about 7:15 am and heading for breakfast.  We would head down to the barn for 8:00 am and muck out two boxes either in the straw, bottom barn or the main barn. Then we would tack up and ride the first lot. The lots could either be heading out to the Curragh plains, Maddenstown gallop, schooling or on the RACE gallop. After first lot we would go up and have breakfast and after that we would go back out and ride out our second lot. When all the riding out is finished we would hay/feed or skip out all the horses.

The thing that surprised me the most about RACE is the amount of schooling and all you do in the barn. School here isn’t that bad and the teachers are sound as well. Everyone around campus and the staff are good too.

I got sent out to Conor O’ Dwyer’s  on the 20th of November 2017.  A day in Conor’s would be starting at 7.  We will tack up first lot and put the Horse on the walker and before we take that lot off we put on our second and so on. As for the gallops, we would usually use the Fox Cover and the Sand round up at the Schooling Grounds on the Curragh.  We would either box them over or ride them over. All the lads in Conor’s yard are great like Ricky Doyle, Niall, Lee and Conor himself. I really enjoy Conor’s and feel like I’ve learnt plenty already.

I am excited to finish out the course and see what else we do during it. When I finish the course I hope to take out my Conditional License. I don’t know what Trainer I want to stay working for as of yet. I could also stay in RACE as a Senior and stay working with Conor.

Reece training on RACE Gallops September 2017