Meet the trainees - Damien Moore

My name is Damien Moore. I am 16 years old. I’m from Monasterevin, Co. Kildare. My first time working around horses was about 5 years ago. My brother Patrick brought me out to the stables where he was working, which was Christie Donohue’s. I only mucked out and groomed, along with other practical things. I also gained experience in Church View Stables too.
I was about 9 years of age when I first realised I wanted to be a jockey. I always wanted to follow my brother Patrick, who was a jockey, so I decided to try and get into RACE. When I turned 16 I attended an open day in RACE, and attended a trial week later that year. I was very nervous during the trial because I didn’t have that much experience and I didn’t have a clue how to ride. I got through it in the end and here I am now in RACE.

I am hoping to sign on as an apprentice jockey in the future. I have always followed the racing and I look up to many jockeys such as Fran Berry , Ryan Moore and many others. I try to go to the stimulators every day and practice my technique by following the riding skills I have learned by looking at the jockeys on television and at the racing. I always give it my best shot around the yard etc. Becoming a jockey is my dream. I can always improve on my riding skills in the hope that one day I will make that dream come true.

Maddenstown Gallops

Johnny Murtagh and Nina Carberry visit RACE

On Wednesday October the 24th 2012 Johnny Murtagh and Nina Carberry came into RACE to talk to the trainee jockeys. They gave us some great advice on how to make it in the racing world and also shared some memorable experiences of their racing career with us. They answered numerous questions from the trainees. The topics ranged from their experiences of their first rides and wins, their bad falls and so on. Nina also shared with us how it felt to be the first Irish female jockey to win the Grand National! They also gave us some very useful advice on their diets and methods of training to keep fit and healthy.

It was very inspirational for many when Johnny Murtagh told of how he was placed in the beginners group when he first came to RACE; everyone gasped because we realised that if you just kept your head down and worked hard there was the possibility of turning into one of the greatest jockeys ever! When he added that in the beginning he didn’t even know the difference between hay and straw everybody laughed. It goes to show that everybody has to start somewhere! Nina and Johnny drove home an important point to us that day. We have to enjoy our work to be successful at it. As an old man used to say, “You must give a little to take a little”. We got a lot out of meeting Nina and Johnny and hopefully we can apply their words of wisdom to make a better future for ourselves in the racing industry too.

By Conor Mc Govern & Niall Prendergast.

Meet the trainees - Luke Murphy

My name is Luke Murphy. I am 16 years old and I’m from Gorey, Co.Wexford. I come from a horsey background where we have horses at home. They are mainly National Hunt broodmares which we breed from and then sell on the foals afterwards.
I heard about RACE a few years ago and I always thought about coming here since then. It was brilliant that I was picked for this year’s course and so far it is going great. I am looking forward to going out to gain work experience in a yard in the Curragh. It will be a great opportunity and will provide many prospects in the future.
My favourite jockey would have to be A.P. McCoy. He dominates jump racing in Britain and his dedication is an inspiration to all in the racing industry.
 

Exercise on RACE gallops