Meet the trainees - Adrian Fitzgerald

My name is Adrian Fitzgerald I am 16 years old I am originally from Charleville Co. Cork but I would nearly consider myself to be from Caragaline as I spent most of the last 2 and a half years there in Ivor Kingston’s yard.  Ivor started me off in the best way I could have hoped for. He looked after me and shaped me into the rider I am today and if it wasn't for him and Denis Payten I would never be in RACE.
Denis gave me a lot of good rides in the flaps which gave me valuable experience. The two of them have been very good to me.

It all started for me when I was 6 years old, I wanted to be a Jockey like my Uncle Mick Fitz and I started going to Crocora Equestrian Centre for lessons.  I first heard about RACE from my Mother, so when I researched the place I thought it looked very good to improve my riding and when I finished my Junior Cert I applied and headed up to the Curragh. I was used to being away from home from staying down with Ivor over my school holidays and weekends.

I have many great and mad memories from Ivor's yard and I miss not being able to be there as much now that I am in RACE but I try to go out there as much as I can. Ivors yard is like no other, for a start he has a dogs that can watch television and ride ponies and donkeys! Where else would you see it!
Every time I go down there I look forward to riding the horses cause at this stage they’re like family. I especially love Dr Massini who is yet to see the race track, we call him Vinnie cause he is related to the infamous Viaduct who won a number of races in England and Ireland. I also love riding Hi Ridge Wood Ben. A friend of my late step father was the man who got me the job at Ivor’s and started me on this road which has been the best time of my life, and there are many more good times to come.

I have been sent out to Paul Deegans from RACE where I am really enjoying myself and I’m finding the experience really great!

My favourite Jockeys are Davey Russel, Tom Queally and Gavin Sheehan.

Heading out to Maddenstown

Parents Day 2014

Meet the trainees - Sadhbh Gannon

My name is Sadhbh Gannon I’m 16 years old and I’m from Westport in county Mayo. I don’t come from a ‘horsey’ family so I don’t know where my interest in horses came from!   But for as long as I can remember I have always been riding horses. I've always had a huge interest in them and have been lucky to have the support and opportunities to be able to work with horses.

At home in Westport I spend all of my free time riding horses for other people, competing them, and also riding my own pony preparing him for competitions all over the country. I compete in Showjumping, Eventing and Hunter trials and have been a member of the Irish Pony club for 5 years. I’ve always liked horse racing and I became really interested in it through a friend who has a very keen interest in it and told me a lot about it and bringing me along to our local racecourse in Ballinrobe regularly which I loved.

 In 2012, through Pony club, I came to RACE for a weekend which I thought was brilliant! After that my 16th birthday couldn't come quick enough so I could finally get the chance to try out for the Trainee Jockey course. I spent the whole summer after my Junior Cert preparing for the trial in July, doing as much exercise as I could to be fit enough to give myself a good chance on the trial. The trial was tough but I thought it went well. I knew that I had tried hard and I was exhausted afterwards!  I got word in August that I had been accepted on the course! I couldn't believe it and I was over the moon!
The course is going well so far and I’m really enjoying it.  Its hard work, but I really enjoy it. Working in the yard in RACE was brilliant I learned so much and I got much quicker around the yard and learned a lot about riding all kinds of different horses. My fitness improved greatly and I enjoyed every bit of it.

 I started my work experience at Michael Halford’s yard. I get up at half five every morning and get the bus at 6:20 am we start on the yard at 7:00 am. It is a wonderful yard and I really enjoy working with the horses and working on the yard everyday.

It is a once in a lifetime experience!

Sadhbh practicing coming out of stalls on Curling Bird

Training on Maddenstown Gallops earlier in the year

Meet the trainees - Peter Coleman

I celebrated my birthday in June 2014, I am 16 years old and I am from Dundalk Co.Louth.

I didn't have much experience with horses to date but as a kid I followed a lot of racing on TV. Since I was about 10 years of age I always wanted to be a jockey. Even though my family is not involved in racing my Dad always had a big interest in horses.
I first sat on a racehorse at the age on 14. Ever since I first sat up on a horse I loved it and all I had in my mind was to be a jockey.
I always new about RACE and was always planning to go when I finished my Junior Cert and had turned 16. My teachers told me about RACE also.

I started in RACE on the 1st of September and I was very nervous but excited but to be starting in RACE.

I love it here in  and I am looking forward to the future now.

Heading out to Maddenstown Gallops earlier in the year

Peter training on the Curragh