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 20th of November
2018.
 |
| Dylan (pictured left) with fellow trainee John heading out to Maddenstown Gallops |
