Meet the Trainees - Robert Meehan

Hi, my name is Robert Meehan. I’m 16 and I am from county Galway. I’m not from a horseracing background but we first got ponies when I was about 4 or 5 years old, so I’ve been riding for quite some time. I started watching racing from a young age as my brother started riding out in a local yard, I never did any show jumping but I did small bit of hunting.

I have wanted to be a jockey since I started working weekends and during school holidays for trainer Iggy Madden. I was 13 years old when I started there and that’s where I first rode a racehorse.  When I was 14 years old, I went to Newmarket in England. My father had been working in Newmarket at the time and my brother was riding out there. I spent that summer with Denis Quinn who taught me loads and took me racing all the time. I also did a bit of pony racing the following summer, but I didn’t have any luck.

I then went to Johnny Murtagh’s on my Easter holidays the following year and spent the summer with Johnny. Johnny was great and like Denis he also taught me loads. I always looked up to Johnny from when I started watching racing as a young lad.

 I was happy to be excepted into RACE and thankful for all my parents have done to get me here. I have learnt a lot since I have started here in RACE, the instructors and other staff have been very helpful. I was sent out on work placement to James Nash on the 19th of November. James is great for giving me opportunities and I am enjoying my time there. I hope to take out my conditional license when I leave RACE, if all’s going well.

Robert was placed with James Nash on the 19^th of November 2018.

The long straight on Maddenstown Gallops

Meet the Trainees - Roisin Hennessy

My name is Roisin Hennessy, I’m 16 years old and I’m from Tinahely in Co. Wicklow. No one in my family is interested in horses but I took a keen interest in them from a young age. I started riding lessons at the age of six and after years of begging I finally got my own horse at the age of twelve. Over the last few years I’ve done a good bit of show jumping with my horse. I always liked looking at the races and going to race meetings, but it wasn’t until later that I wanted to become a jockey. 

I found out about RACE and I loved the idea of the course. I applied for the trial week and I came up for a week in July. The trial week was very tough, you’re competing with some very fit people, so you want to be as fit as you can. We all helped each other get through it.  I waited patiently during the rest of the summer holidays to get a letter from RACE to say if I had got accepted into the Trainee Jockey Course. The morning the letter came in the post saying I was accepted onto the course, I was over the moon. I was delighted that all the hard work paid off and I couldn’t wait to start at the end of August. 

At the start of the course everything was very new to me, from riding the horses and working in the barn to going to the gym every night. I had never ridden a race horse before I came to RACE, so it was a bit challenging for me to start with. I was very nervous riding out on the gallop. I am still trying to improve my confidence and to be more assertive.

Fitness is a very big factor of the course. My fitness has improved a lot since the start of the course, but I am still aiming to increase my fitness levels and push myself to beat my personal bests.  We have fitness classes two days a week with Wayne and we have fitness tests regularly to see how much we are improving.

I got sent out to Ross O’ Sullivan’s yard in the second week of January. I had never worked in a racing yard before, so I was very nervous on my first day.  I absolutely love working in Ross’s and I look forward to going into work every morning. Everyone in the yard helped me settle in so well and I feel like I’ve been there forever. There’re also two RACE graduates working for Ross.

We do several different modules in school in the afternoons such as IT, communications, business calculations and stable and yard routine. At the end of the year we have a QQI Level 4 qualification in Horsemanship.

RACE has been a great experience for me, I’ve learned so much and I’ve made great friends. When I graduate in June I hope to be taken on and remain working in my yard.

Roisin was placed with Ross O’Sullivan on the 14^th of January 2019.

The long straight on Maddenstown Gallops

Meet the Trainees - Sophia Jones

Hi, my name is Sophia Jones, I am from Wicklow and I am 16 years old. I started riding on my 8th birthday and that birthday present lasted much longer than my parents expected. Before coming to RACE, I competed in Show jumping, Dressage and Eventing. I spent a few months working in a showjumping yard in Kilkenny, doing this proved to me that I wanted to work in the Equine Industry. I have always loved horses for as long as I can remember, and I couldn’t imagine life without them.

I found out about RACE through a few different graduates. It sounded like it was exactly what I wanted, so I decided to apply for RACE and I did a week trial. I must admit it was tough but well worth it. I was shocked when I got my letter saying that I was accepted into RACE. At first it was hard being away from home but in no time, you are settled in, months have flown by and my time here has been amazing.  I have two favourite horses down in the barn, Bold Thady Quill and Eye of the Tiger.  My favourite part of being in the barn is schooling over the hurdles and the fences, it’s the best feeling!

In my 7th week at RACE I fractured my foot whilst running and 6 weeks later I fractured my other foot. During this time, I worked hard on my strength in the gym. Even though I was injured I still went down in the morning to watch everyone riding out.

I got back riding in January and I am now in John Oxx’s. A typical morning for me is to get up and have breakfast. My bus is at 6:05a.m., I finish around 1p.m. and I usually have 5 lots. Everyone in the yard are so helpful and give you different tips, my riding has come on a lot since I’ve been there. I love being out in the yard, no day is ever the same. I have had such great opportunities already riding on different gallops on the Curragh such as the Old Vic. 

It’s like a family up here, I share my dorm with 5 other girls, and it feels like I have known them forever. We are very close and get each other through everything. Our evenings are usually filled, on Mondays and Wednesdays we have gym with Wayne, he puts us through our paces, but you always feel the better of it.  We have had Pilates with John the chef as well as cooking classes. We also have lessons on the simulator with Paddy Flood. Fitness is a large part of the course, we have a number of fitness tests throughout the year and the targets get higher each time, it is great to see that all the sessions with the coach have paid off.

I think RACE is a great place for anyone who wants to be a jockey or who wants to work in industry.  If you work hard it will all pay off. 

Sophia was placed with John Oxx on the 14^th of January 2019.

The long straight on Maddenstown Gallops

Meet the Trainees - Philip Egan

Hi, my name is Philip Egan and I am from the Curragh, Co. Kildare. I always wanted to be a jockey since I started going racing and following the careers of my brother David Egan and my Dad, John Egan.

I loved going hunting when I was 12 and 13, it helped my confidence a lot both with horses and with difficult jumps. I had 16 rides in the pony racing which made me very sharp and observant.  I also went to Sir Mark Prescott in the summer of 2017 and then I went to Jim Bolger’s the following year, for the summer, and instead of going back to school, I was accepted as a student at the racing academy.  At RACE I continued to increase my fitness and train hard in the Gym, running up to 10km on the treadmill a few times a week. The yard I was sent out to was Mr. Dermot Weld. I started my first day in Mr. Welds in November 2018 and I really love it there.

I always had a great interest in horse racing since a young age as I came from a racing background. I spent a lot of time with my grandad Dessie Hughes, he helped me get to know many riding techniques and taught me the right way to treat the horses. Back in 2014, when my grandad died, my mum took over training and that is when I put my head down and did as much work as I could around the yard.  I spent most of the time outside with the horses and learned from the other jockeys such as Bryan Cooper. Often, when I went to England to visit my dad John and my brother David, they would take me to the yards to ride out with them.

Once I graduate from RACE 2019, I hope to eventually go to England and when the time comes to get my Flat license.

It was great to have the good instructors in Race such as Paddy Flood, Barry Walsh, Niall Byrne and Paul Keating. They thought me a lot and got me on the right road.

Philip was placed with Dermot Weld on the 19^th of November 2018.

Maddenstown Gallops

Meet the Trainees - Conor Ryan

Hi, my name is Conor Ryan and I’m from Tipperary. I am 18 years old and I have always been interested in horses from a young age. I started pony lessons in 2005, then in 2009 I got my own pony and I started going hunting and doing cross country. I always loved watching jump racing on the tv and I enjoy taking part in hunter trials.

I applied for RACE and then went up for a trial week. We worked hard for the week, but it was worth it when I an acceptance letter in the post, I was delighted. Since the start of the course in September, I have schooled over the chase fences and hurdles, we also jumped out of the starting stalls and went across to Maddenstown gallop.  In the afternoons we go to class for business calculations, IT and communications.   

I was sent out on yard placement in January to Aidan Howards yard.  Each morning I start riding out once I arrive at the yard and I usually get 5 to 6 lots out every day.  I’m really enjoying my time there and everyone is so helpful. I’m learning loads every morning. Tuesday and Friday, we ride 3 lots on the Curragh at the “big sand” with different jockeys. I also really enjoy riding at the old Vic on the Saturdays when I stay back to work.   

I am looking forward to graduating in June and I hope to get my National Hunt licence in due course. 

 Conor was placed with Aidan Howard on the 14^th of January 2019.

On Maddenstown Gallops

Meet the Trainees - Sean Carey

Hi, my name is Sean Carey. I am 17 years old and I’m from Meath. I grew up loving horse racing. Before coming to RACE, I didn’t have a lot of riding experience, just experience around horses. I worked in a yard with mares and foals along with injured horses owned by John Breslin. But my preferred hobby at the time was GAA.

I took part in the trial at the end of June and enjoyed every minute of it. The trial lasted a week, a week of fitness tests and painting fences! When I got accepted to RACE I was over the moon and couldn’t wait to start. I started RACE at the end of August.

When I started RACE I was nervous but very excited. I’ve learnt so much from the lads in the barn and couldn’t have asked for better help.  My fitness has increased due to the training with Wayne, which takes place on a Monday and a Wednesday, while on a Tuesday and Thursday we would usually go to the gym or simulators on our own.  Some Tuesday evenings we would be lucky enough to get simulator lessons off Paddy Flood, he always gives us great advice and tips. My diet is much better from eating great food cooked by john.

I am now working in Alan Flemings and loving every bit of it.  I am up at 6 o’clock every morning to get the RACE bus for 6:45. We start work at 7:20, tack up our first lot straight away and put our second lot on the walker. Every day is different, but we usually have 4/5 lots a day. Every morning we use different gallops. Alan himself has a new gallop which we usually use on a Monday, he also uses Maddenstown straight, the big sand and the grass gallop. All the staff in Alans are very helpful and have helped me out since the start. Alan himself has been very good to me and hasn’t treated me any different to anybody else in the yard.

Some other RACE students and I were lucky enough to get a schooling lesson from Sean Flannagan.  He was extremely helpful and told us how we can improve. He then answered questions asked by the RACE students, which was great to listen to as he gave us plenty of ways to improve. Sean was extremely nice and for a top jockey like him to visit us we were very grateful. We also got the opportunity to listen to David Egan speak, it was nice to get more advice from a top jockey.  We were also very fortunate to have a Cheltenham preview night here at RACE. Sean Flannagan, David Mullins and Niall Madden were the guest speakers along with MC Niall Cronin.  

We are getting close to the end of the course and we have more guest speakers coming in soon. I have enjoyed every bit of the course and the time has gone so quick. I hope I get kept on in Flemings and someday maybe take my licence out.

Sean was placed with Alan Fleming on the 18^th of February 2019

Maddenstown Gallops

Meet the Trainees - James Coffey

Hi, my name is James Coffey, I’m 16 years old and I’m from Midleton in Cork. I started riding ponies when I was about 2 or 3 years old, but I started taking it serious when I was about 10.  I have wanted to be a jockey all my life and coming from a racing background, racing is the only thing I have ever wanted to be involved in.  I started in United Pony Club when I was around 11 years old.  I did a bit of show jumping, hunter trials and hunting.  I like hunter trials because you can go fast and you’re jumping all kinds of jumps.

My grandad Donal trains pointers at home with help from my dad Seamus, my aunt Paula and cousin Sarah.  Over the summer I did a small bit in Terence O’Briens yard and I learned a good bit there. I also ride out for my uncle Noel O’Neill. I love it in RACE and my favourite time of the day is in the morning because you’re down in the barn with the horses. Barry, Niall, Paul, Paddy, Stephanie and Katie teach you loads.  I plan to go back to school for fifth and sixth year and I hope to do the best I can, so I can get enough points to study either business or equine science in college. 

I heard about RACE from a lot of people at the point-to-points and decided to have a crack at it myself.  I applied for the course and did a trial week in July.  That week was tough, the heat was well over 20 degrees.  I don’t know how we got through it, but we did.  When I got accepted onto the course I was straight onto my mam to tell the school that I was going to miss transition year. I have gained a good bit of experience while I have been in RACE and I hope that I am riding well.  My fitness levels have come up a lot. My beep test result was 7.7 in the first test but in the test before Christmas I got to level 10. 

I got sent out on placement to Michael Grassick’s yard. I think I have come on as a rider and Kevin Coleman in there has helped me a lot. A typical day would be waking up at 5:30 and going up to the canteen to make a sandwich for tea break, I get the 6:15 bus and I would be at the yard at around 6:30. I water the horses until everybody else is in. I usually ride about four lots a day on the gallop at the yard and sometimes on the Curragh.  Once I have ridden all my lots I help sweep, skip out and feed. I’d be back in RACE at about 1:00 and I would be in school at 2:15. We have gym classes on Mondays and Wednesdays and you would nearly be dead after it.  Wayne pushes us hard and hopefully it will all be worth it.  I feel that I have gotten a lot stronger and fitter because of it all. I hope to ride in point-to-points in a couple of years for my grandad.  And please god with a lot of luck I could ride a few winners.

James was placed with Michael Grassick on the 14^th of January 2019.

On cross country course

Meet the Trainees - Patricia Morrissey

Hello, my name is Patricia Morrissey, I am 16 years old and I am from Wexford.  I have always had horses at home and started horse riding at a young age.  I have been hunting with the West Wexford Harriers for the past 6 seasons. I have wanted to be a jockey since I was small and was delighted to go to the trial week and later get into the course. The summer before RACE I worked in Paul Nolan’s yard to get some experience and I really enjoyed it there.

I am in the yellow dorm living with Niamh, Sarah, Alicia, Roisin and Sophia. I love riding out here at RACE in the mornings, as you learn so much with the instructor’s feedback and you can improve every day.  All the instructors and teachers at RACE are very helpful. I enjoy fitness with Wayne as he pushes you in his classes and you then see improved results in your fitness tests.

I am really enjoying the course so far. A typical day at race would be riding out in the mornings until 1pm then we would get dinner and go to class for 2 pm. After school we get tea at 5 pm and then we go to the simulators in the evening and have fitness class with Wayne. 

We are all now currently out on work experience on the Curragh.  I am doing my work experience in Dermot Welds yard and I really enjoy it there. I usually have 5 lots a day. My favourite part of the day at RACE is riding out in the mornings. Everyone in Mr. Welds yard are very nice and helpful. They take the time to help you learn something new every day. After riding out in the mornings when we get back to RACE, we then go to school for 3 hours. We are also completing the Gaisce president’s award and fundraising for the Irish Injured Jockeys, Pieta house and My Lovely Horse. In May we will be going to Glendalough to do a 25-kilometer hike.  We go to the gym most evenings, we often have fitness tests with Wayne to see our progress in the gym. 

When I finish the course, I would love to keep riding out and eventually get my conditional license.

Patricia was placed with Dermot Weld on the 14th of January 2019.

Maddenstown Gallops

Meet the Trainees - Jamie Powell

Hi, my name is Jamie Powell. I am 16 years old and I live in Kildare Town. I have a big background in horse racing, I started to ride when I was 4 years old on a pony named Holly in my Grandmother’s yard. I have ridden race horses for 2 years now and have always wanted to be a jockey and follow in my Father’s footsteps and my Granddad, riding the winners of the Irish St. Ledger and the 2002 Guineas. There hasn’t been any pressure put on me to get involved in horses but there is nothing else I would love to do despite the hard work.

It all started when I applied for RACE as I wanted to further my progress as a rider and hoped to become a jockey when I left. I didn’t have much experience going into RACE and had very little confidence.  At the start I struggled with the step up from ponies to retired racehorses. The instructors in race helped me along the way and I can’t thank them enough.  It was a lot of hard work, but I got there in the end and after nearly 5 months of being in RACE I got sent out to Mr. Patrick Prendergast. I learnt loads there and most importantly my confidence grew. At the start of 2019 Mr. Prendergast and Mr. Oxx joined forces and that’s when I fully got going with my riding and my communication skills with trainers and other staff. I began to improve every day and I was in a very happy place. Both trainers have been very good to me and have helped me improve as a rider and as a person, I can’t thank them enough.

Growing up I idolised Chris Hayes, Johnny Murtagh and Michael Kinane. I try to take little traits from each of them over the years, but I was told never to copy someone else’s style, just be myself.  I feel I’m learning every day and my confidence is growing. I’m hoping that I will be signed on as an apprentice at the end of the year and kick-start my career in the racing industry.

RACE has been a massive help to me on more levels than just riding. We learn how to communicate properly with owners, trainers and other people like stewards etc. We get talks from jockeys some that came through RACE, others that have interesting stories, but I always try to take one thing from each interaction with them and I’m very grateful for all the support and advice I have been given here in RACE.

One day I hope to be a jockey, but I know it won’t just come to me over night, I have many years of early mornings and hard work ahead but I’m looking forward to it all.

Jamie was placed with Patrick Prendergast on the 14^th of January 2019.

Training on the Curragh

Meet the Trainees - Sarah Verling

Hi, my name is Sarah Verling, I’m from Fermoy, Co. Cork and I am sixteen years old. I am lucky that I have always been around horses at home as my dad became a trainer after a career as a jockey.

I have ridden ponies since I was young. I have competed in show jumping competitions and I’ve been out hunting for a couple of seasons as well, with my local hunt. I completed one of the Junior Academy days here at RACE and decided to apply for the trainee jockey course. I was delighted to have a place on the trial during the summer and enjoyed the whole experience.

I found riding down in the barn at RACE very helpful, as you learn and gain confidence throughout the time there, you also get great feedback on your riding daily.

 I’m currently out in placement with Johnny Murtagh and I’m loving it so far. I feel a lot more confident since I started and that helps with everything.

I have really enjoyed all the different elements in the course that we do like the fitness classes, simulator lessons, stalls training, schooling and all the different classes at school. I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to do the course as it has been a great experience.

I’m not sure what the future holds for me within the racing industry but I’m sure my time spent in RACE will stand to me and help me along the way.

Sarah was placed with Johnny Murtagh on the 14^th of January 2019

On RACE Gallops

Meet the Trainees - Niamh O'Gowney

My name is Niamh O’Growney, I’m from Clare and I am 17 years old. I have grown up with ponies from a very young age, but I hadn’t ever worked for a trainer or with thoroughbreds before coming to RACE.

I began pony club lessons when I was 13 but I didn’t keep up the lessons for very long. I always remember watching the big races on TV like the Grand National in Aintree. I began to idolise jockeys like AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh. I had never been to a race meeting before until I came to RACE, but I had grown up going to any point-to-points that were on near me, like Belharbour. I always looked up to the jockeys at the point to points and wanted to be just like them, but I never really did anything about it until my mom told me about RACE and I knew that’s what I wanted to do for transition year.

While at RACE I have visited many studs such as Coolmoore Stud, Kildangan Stud and the Irish National Stud. My fitness levels have increased greatly since enrolling at RACE. RACE gives you many opportunities in the racing world, because when you’re not in the barn working, you’re in the classroom preparing for your assignments. I share a dorm with 5 other girls, Patricia, Roisin, Alicia, Sophia and Sarah.  We all get on well which is good because you can talk to them about anything, if something was bugging you from work in the mornings you can all talk about it. I haven’t decided yet whether I want to stay in RACE or go back to school and get my leaving cert.

I got sent out to Michael Halford’s yard on work placement in mid-February. Mr. Halford is very good to work for and everyone there is friendly. They were very helpful, especially when I was starting out. I started out riding 2 or 3 lots a day and now I ride 5 lots.  I wake up at 6:00AM, have breakfast and then get the RACE bus at 6:45AM. My yard starts at 7:30AM but when it starts to get bright outside, we will be starting at 7:00AM. When school ends in May we will all be doing evening stables as well as morning stables.

Without going to RACE I don’t think I would have been ready for a yard. RACE helped me a lot with fitness and technique. Michael Halfords yard has 4 walkers, a pool, two gallops and over 100 stables. I am in this yard with 3 other students from RACE.  After working in the morning, I get the bus back to RACE at 12:50, get lunch and then head over to school for 2:15PM. School lasts 3 hours and we finish at 5:15PM.  After school we all head over for food and then on Monday and Wednesday nights we have fitness classes in the gym. 

I definitely would recommend RACE to anyone who wants to be a jockey.

Niamh was placed with Michael Halford on the 11^th of February 2019.

Maddenstown Gallops

Meet the Trainees - Luke Carberry

Hi, my name is Luke Carberry. I’m 18 years old and I am from Navan, Co. Meath. I have always had an interest in horses from a young age, as my cousins had a few horses at home.

I have always loved horse racing, mainly due to my father always watching it at home. I’ve been hooked from a young age and I’ve always wanted to become a jockey. My 2 idols of the racing world have always been Robbie Power and Daryl Jacob.

I first found out about RACE from my Dad. He knew how interested in horse racing I was and when discussing career options, he brought up RACE. I applied, went to an open day and was called back for a trial in July. By mid-August I had found out that I was accepted, and I was delighted. When I came here I had done very little riding, but by week 4 or 5 I was out on the gallops with everyone else and I was also jumping poles and hurdles.  Since coming to RACE I wouldn’t recognise myself as a rider, I have improved so much in such a small space of time. I have learned loads about horses and racing during my time in RACE. I am also ten times fitter and stronger, as we are in the gym two nights a week with our fitness coach, Wayne. Since starting the course, we have also visited various stud farms such as Coolmore, The National Stud and Kildangan Stud, which was very interesting.

In January, I was sent out on placement to Aidan Howard. Every morning I get up at 5.30am and I start work at about 6.40am where we pull out with our first lot nearly straight away. I am loving it so far as I’m getting loads of riding, I ride 6 lots most days and I feel it has really brought me on as a rider as there is such a wide range of horses in the yard from 5-furlong sprinters to point to pointers and 3-mile chasers. When I go home at the weekends I ride out on Saturdays in Michael Mulvanys, who was very good to take me on at a stage where I wasn’t such a good rider and between the two yards I’ve learned an awful lot about horses and my riding has improved a serious amount.

We are in school every Monday to Thursday from 2.15pm to 5.15pm. We study business, I.T, communications, work practice, stable and yard routine and racehorse care and exercise. These subjects are helpful to us as they help us with problems which may arise in our everyday lives after school. I have loved my time in RACE and I’m sure there’s even more exciting things to come.

Luke was placed with Aidan Howard on the 14^th of January 2019.

The long straight on Maddenstown Gallops

Meet the Trainees - Kieran McGrath

Hi, my name is Kieran McGrath, I am 16 years old and I am from West Waterford, Ireland. My brother first got me into horses when he got broodmares, that he kept on the family farm at home. He would take me with him to different stud farms, like Castlehyde and Grange, when he was getting the mares covered. It was from then I started to show a keen interest in horses.

I started riding ponies at a local riding school when I was 11, after 2 years I got my own pony that I hunted with the West Waterford Hunt, which I loved. I also went show jumping in Ballyrafter every Friday with my pony and I really enjoyed that as well. When I turned 14, my brother got me into Ashtown Stud in Kilmacthomas working for Paul Shanahan. My brother is the manager there. I worked at the weekends and whenever I was off school. While I was there, I learned a lot about the breeding side of the racing industry and my brother showed me the ropes of a breeding yard. I got lots of opportunities to go to Coolmore Stud with the mares that had to be covered.

My brother often brought me racing to racecourses like the Curragh. I also got to go Tattersalls as my brother often had foals selling there. After 2 years at Ashtown Stud, my boss Paul Shanahan got me into Joseph o Brien’s during the summer, for 8 weeks. I was nervous enough going there as I had no experience riding racehorses but the lads in the yard helped me a lot and I got on really well there.

I decided to apply for RACE as it was always a dream of mine to become a successful jockey and I had also seen how successful many of the graduates of RACE were. I first attended an open day and then went up for the trial week which was tough, both mentally and physically, but I enjoyed it a lot. When I got the news that I got accepted for the course I was over the moon and couldn’t wait for August to come around.

We are now on week 24 and I have learned so much about racing and my riding has improved greatly. I got sent out to Johnny Murtaghs in November which I was delighted with as I always looked up to him growing up and to get the chance to work for him is great. I have become a much better rider since I started at Johnny’s and hopefully I keep on improving. I am delighted with how the course has gone so far and cannot wait to see what the future has in store.

Kieran was placed with Johnny Murtagh on the 19^th of November 2018.

On Maddenstown Gallops - Assessment Week

Meet the Trainees - Jessica O'Gorman

Hi, my name is Jessica O’Gorman. I am 15 years old and I live in Clare. My father was always into the racing so that’s where I got my interest. Coming to RACE I had no horse racing experience. I had some experience of show jumping, pony club and some hunting but that’s about it. My father works for Aengus King and I used to go over with him to the yard sometimes, which was a big help as Aengus taught me loads. I applied for the course and got invited to attend the weeks trial. After the trial I didn’t think I got in but when I got my letter to say I was accepted I was delighted! The trial certainly wasn’t easy but it all paid off in the end. The fitness was the hardest thing for me.

The first few weeks of the course were tough.  I was placed in group 1 with everyone who rode out with trainers already, so my confidence wasn’t great. I really thought I was hopeless but with all the training in the barn, I feel I have really come on and my confidence has improved a lot.

I was placed in Kevin Prendergast’s yard in early January.  I have settled in well and I really like my yard.  I am riding 2 and 3-year olds and getting on great.  Everyone out there is so nice and helpful, they really look after me well.

A typical day for me would be get up at 5:40am, get changed, try have something to eat and get the RACE bus at 6:15am. We start at 6:30am everyday but its handy because we are done between 12 and 12:30pm. I have learned and improved so much already by being in the yard.

The biggest thing I’ve improved I think is fitness.  I never realised how important fitness is, but since training with our fitness coach Wayne every Monday and Wednesday, I have come on loads.  I notice this improvement riding because I’m physically stronger and able to hold stronger horses without getting tired. 

After the course I hope to graduate from RACE and if I can I would love to stay on in my yard for the summer.

Jessica was placed with Kevin Prendergast on the 14^th of January 2019.

On RACE Gallops at the start of the year

Meet The Trainees - Jack Enright

My name is Jack Enright, I’m 17 years old and I’m from Ardagh in Co. Limerick. I completed the leaving certificate and decided instead of going to college, I would try and go to RACE. I always had a love for horse racing, I watched it all the time and I wanted to get involved in the sport. I had to do a week’s work experience and I thought this was my chance to get an insight into the job.

I contacted a local trainer, Eric McNamara, he said I could call down and he would show me the works.  I loved it and the week went so fast. I got to see the horses being trained, how they prepared the horses for racing and I got to meet lots of new people.  After that I continued to work at Eric’s and gained a lot of experience. During the summer I was riding out three lots a day for him. I learned a huge amount about the horses and how they like to be ridden.

Since I started in RACE I have learned so much, I have become very strong and gained so much confidence around the racehorses.  My fitness has improved as we must attend the Gym each day.  At RACE our attention is also focused on our diet and wellbeing.  Each day we have nutritional food and the emphasis is on healthy wholesome foods which benefits us in a huge way. I continue to improve using the simulators which helps me with my riding style, proper use of whip and stamina.

All the instructors at RACE are hugely informative, especially Paddy Flood, as he has a great knowledge of style and is honest about your ability. One of my highlights of the year was a visit to Coolmore, we got to see some amazing horses, such as Galileo. We also got to see how they carry out the process for covering mares during the breeding season.

I feel like a gained a lot from my time in RACE and with a little luck I hope I will be riding winners in the not so distant future.

Jack was placed with Michael Halford

Out on x-country course for assessment week

Meet The Trainees - Mirta Orsulic

My name is Mirta Orsulic and I am 20 years old. I was born in Croatia. When I was 15 I sat on a horse for the first time. Without any background working with horses, it was hard to get help to do what I love.  While I was in high school, I was riding for local trainers in Zagreb.I’ve always wanted to get the best education in the racing industry, so I decided to follow my dreams. First, I went to Hungary for a couple of months but that wasn’t fulfilling enough, so I applied for the trainee jockey course.

After I finished the trial week successfully and I got accepted in RACE, I became the happiest person in the world! I left university where I was studying Chemistry, I left my old life behind and started a new journey in this beautiful country. At the beginning of the course I was in group 2 but every day improved and after some time the instructors moved me into group 1. At the end of October, I took the initiative to get a job riding out at weekends and bank holidays for Aidan O’Brien, then Mid-November I got placed in Mr. Oxx’s yard. I was the first girl to go out on yard placement in this year’s group and that was an achievement I am proud of.

Although working in a different country and being away from home is very hard I think that if you’re doing what you love, it doesn’t feel like work. Now, I can say that I feel good, despite the up’s and down’s I’ve experienced since I started the Trainee Jockey Course. I’ve made great friends that I will have for life and I get to have fun every day hanging with people with whom I share the same goals. 

At the start of the year I thought I would only get the best education about working in the racing industry, but this school did far more than that. They taught us how to take care of ourselves, they’ve done everything in their power to prepare us for real life. We had different classes throughout the year; business calculations, IT, health related fitness, sport’s psychology, lessons on the simulator, nutrition sessions and many more. We also have access to the gym and simulator in our free time to improve even more.  However, the time is flying by and there are still plenty of things to learn in the remaining weeks. With all the knowledge that I have acquired I hope to upgrade my Croatian jockey license.

I have no idea where I will end up, but I am a competitive person who is not afraid of a challenge.

I am still young, and I believe that I have a bright future. I am a very optimistic person and I know that I will continue to succeed in whatever I put my mind to.

Mirta was placed with John Oxx on the 19^th of November 2018.

RACE Gallops

Meet The Trainees - Chloe Byrne

Hello, my name is Chloe Byrne. I am from Kildare and I’m 16 years old. We have always had horses at home I started riding when I was 6, it was my sister that got me into it. I did a lot of hunting and competed in showjumping.

Before I came to RACE, I rode out in Arthur Moore’s yard to get a bit of experience. Everyone in Arthurs were very good to me and helped me to get my confidence up, along with getting experience riding racehorses.

I started riding in 2007. I did a lot of show jumping and eventually I got my own horse called Chester. I started showjumping and going hunting to get more experience. I always loved to watch horse racing on the TV. I’ve always idolised Katie Walsh. I then came to RACE for a week trial near the end of June 2018.  It was a very good week. On the last day, it was a Friday, we had a bootcamp to see if we put in enough effort to get into the course, it was very hard I will admit but it was all worth it in the end. Everyone improved on their riding, fitness and strength to pass their fitness test.

We are all down in the RACE barn riding out and everyone is getting on very well.  We have been brought to Maddenstown gallops and The Curragh plains to ride the horses.  We have done a lot of schooling with the horses, I really enjoyed it.

It was early January and I was sent out to Ted Walsh’s yard in kill and I was very happy with my placement. Ironically, I am now riding out with my idol. I start at 7:30 am and finish at 1:00 pm. I have 4/5 lots every day.  For first lot we pull out at 8 o’clock and meet up with Ross O’Sullivan’s crew, then we bring our horses up, give them a wash, put them on the walker, tack up and pull out our second lot and so on. The early mornings and the long days are hard, but I enjoy every bit of it. 

We are now near the end of the course and we had a few jockey’s in to speak to us such as David Egan, Sean Flanagan and Cathy Gannon. Sean gave us a schooling lesson and then had a talk with us about his life as a jockey. I will be graduating in June and I hope to take my apprentice license out in the future.

Chloe was placed with Ted Walsh on the 14^th of January 2019.

On Maddenstown Gallops

Meet The Trainees - Eamonn Fitzgerald

Hi, my name is Eamonn Fitzgerald and I am 16 years old. I first got an interest in horses when I was riding ponies in Abbeyfeild farm, from a young age.

I started riding out when I had just turned 13 for Michael Halford. I learned a lot from everyone there, including the head lad, Assistant Trainer, Mr. Halford and all the lads and jockeys in the yard. I used to go in on weekends and school holidays, which was brilliant. My favourite horse was a filly called Betty Loch, she was the first race horse that I rode. I learned how to ride in Abbeyfield farm and I also did lots of hunting with the North Kildare Farmers. 

We are well into the course and the time is flying. I’m really enjoying my time so far. All the instructors down in the barn are really sound. I have learned loads so far and we are taken out to The Curragh gallops such as Maddenstown or the Curragh plains which is savage, as well as being on the gallops every day in R.A.C.E. We have also done lots of schooling over the hurdles and fences. We got to have a schooling session with Sean Flanagan and we learned loads from him.

I got sent out to Mr. Halford’s yard in the middle of November I really enjoy it there and I’m learning a lot, the people I work every day couldn’t be nicer. I also go in on Saturdays and sometimes I go racing on Friday nights in Dundalk. I can’t wait until the flat season kicks off again and the 2-year olds start knowing their routine even better.

My daily routine at the minute would be getting up for 6.00am and I’m on my bus for 6.45am. We start at 7.30am but once the mornings start getting brighter, we will switch back to 7.00am. When I get in, I usually help muck out and let the horses out to the paddocks.  We then go tack up and put the horses on the walker, then we go muck out another few. We pull out at 8.00am in the winter and 7.30am in the summer. After that lot we tack up and pull out straight away, then we tack up our next lot and put them on the walker, before going for tea. We usually ride out 4/5 lots and finish about 12.30pm. We use many different gallops depending on the horse we are riding; the variety is great.

We are kept busy! We do fitness classes on Mondays and Wednesdays which are great for the fitness. We are allowed to go to the gym and simulators on our free evenings.  The simulators are great for fitness and technique.

After the course, I would love to get signed on and take out my apprentice licence, this is hard to achieve but hopefully with a bit of luck I can get there. 

Eamon was placed with Michael Halford on the 19^th of November 2018.

On the way to RACE Gallops

Meet The Trainees - Alicia Fox

Hello, my name is Alicia fox. I’m 17 years old and I’m from Charleville in Co. Cork. I grew up loving horses. I first got into horses when I was 8 and started going to a riding school. I got my first horse when I was 16.  I did a bit of show jumping and when I turned 16 I started riding out for a local trainer Michael Winters in Kanturk.

I always had an interest in racing from an early age.  I used to always watch racing on the tv and since then I have looked up to Joseph O Brien and Jody McGarvey. I knew I wanted to be a jockey around the age of 14 but I thought I was too young to ride out for a trainer, so I always used to throw my stirrups up on the ponies and take off around the fields. Straight away when I turned 16, I rang Michael winters and he took me on.  Michael was very good to me, he put me on horses that taught me a lot. He let me ride out with the jockeys that came in such as Donal McInerney and Brian Hayes. I used to watch the way they rode and if I was then riding the horse that they were on I would try do what they did.  My favourite horse that I rode out every day at Micks was a mare by Cloudings called Model Cloud.  Model taught me a lot and luckily, I was at the races in Tramore with her, when she won her first race on the track.  It was Models first win and my first winner to lead up. That is definitely one day that I will never forget!

We are currently on week 16 here in race and I am loving it.  I am in a very lucky position to have gotten past my trial and to get on the course. I am very grateful to be here.  My favourite horse in the barn is Sugar Sugar.  Unfortunately, my first fall at RACE was off Sugar in a jumping competition before Christmas.  When you fall off, the lads tell you to bring biscuits down to the barn, so I wasn’t happy about that.

I am in the yellow dorm with Patricia, Sarah, Niamh, Sophia and Roisin.  We get on really well together, which is great when you’re living together.  Every month there is a list for cleaning duties in each house.  It’s not our favourite thing but we all help each other to get them done.  Thankfully, we are all very close and I feel blessed to have these girls to talk to about everything.

At the start of February, I was sent out to Willie McCreery’s yard.  Mr. McCreery is very good to work for and everyone is very nice in the yard, they always help me out in every way possible. I get up at 5:30am and go for breakfast before getting the 6:15am bus out to the yard.  We start at 7:00am but I usually get to the yard at 6:30am, so I do the water buckets while waiting for the others to come in.  There are eleven of us riding out.  Usually I have 6 lots where we go to the Fox Covert gallop on The Curragh or up the straight.  Sometimes for our last lot we ride the 2-year olds or horses just back in work in the indoor gallop.  The indoor gallop is really cool to ride in.  There’re two walkers, one for colts and one for fillies.

I usually finish work around 12:30/12:45. When I n get back from work I go up for lunch and back up to the dorm and meet the girls to see how their morning went.  At 2:15pm we all head over to school until 5:15pm.  After school we go straight to tea and head up to our dorms to relax before P.E. At 7:15pm after P.E., we head back to our dorms and chill out for a while before heading to bed.  The days at RACE can be very long at times, but everyone here makes the long days easier. Our day supervisor Dominic is very good to us and he is not really like our boss he is like our friend!

I really love it here at RACE, and I hope to take out my conditional licence in the future.

Alicia was placed with Willie McCreery on the 11^th of February 2019

 

On Maddenstown Gallops