Meet the trainees - Kiera Cogan

My name is Kiera Colgan, I turned 18 in October. I am from Malton in England. Ever since I was born I have been involved in horses even if it was going to the yard with my mother in a push chair whilst she looked after her horse. My father came to RACE and worked in racing for years and had his Apprentice License with Kevin Prendergast as well as riding for James Byrne. I was very active in school and played lots of Hockey and Netball but I also had my own ponies at home from a young age.  I was in pony club, riding club and was a member of British Showjumping and British Eventing. I also had my own pony racer which I won 4 races on but with Dads competitiveness the novelty wore off and I wasn’t really interested in riding her after that.

I finished school in 2014 and then started college after a year it wasn’t for me and all I wanted to do was ride and work with horses. So Dad suggested RACE, we attended an open day and then I was accepted for the trial. It was then a waiting game to see whether I was accepted or not. I got the letter to see that RACE had accepted me. I didn’t know what to make of leaving home and moving away, but I am now glad I have done it as I have learnt heaps and improved my riding.

I started RACE in September intending to improve my riding and with the riding Instructors here at RACE it helped me to improve. Ten weeks into the course I was then sent out to Michael Halfords Yard on work placement, where I am now well settled. This also helped to improve my riding, riding different horses and yearlings. I love going to work so the early mornings don’t bother me. The staff there are a great bunch of people and there is always a bit of ‘craic’ in the yard as well as some lovely horses.

Kiera was placed with Michael Halford in November 2015

Kiera schooling at RACE

Meet The Trainees - Kirsty Bourke

My name is Kirsty Bourke I’m 17 years old and from Kildare Town. I was always interested in horse racing as both my Parents worked in racing so my passion started from there. Growing up in Newmarket the capital of horse racing in England helped me a lot as I started riding out when I was 13. Previous to that I had ridden ponies in small events. 

I never really was interested in show jumping as a child I would rather stay at home and watch the racing or go racing with my Dad. When I moved back to Ireland in 2015 there was nothing else I wanted to do than to go to RACE. So when the applications came out I’m sure I was the first one to have applied. When I found out I had been accepted on to the course after a successful trial week, I was delighted and could not wait to start.

While being in RACE, there have been many ups and downs. The downs being missing out on 3 months of riding due to a fractured ankle. All I wanted to do was get back riding and every day I was off felt like a year to me. In the photo is a picture of Curling Bird and even though he’s probably one of the easier horses to ride, I’ll never forget the day he dropped me twice within the space of 2 minutes and I still got back up on him and rode upsides on the gallop with one of our instructors. I felt so stupid yet proud at the same time. The fact that he is such an easy ride taught me a lesson that you have to watch the quiet ones.  

I’ve learned a lot of things that I didn’t know, since being in RACE. I plan to be a Racing Secretary in the future but for the next few years I plan to use all the skills that I have learnt in RACE to carry on riding out in Ireland.

Kirsty was placed with Michael Grassick 

Family Day November 2015

Meet The Trainees - Ben Love

My name is Ben and I am 16 years old and from Meath.  I want to be Jockey, is basically what this is going to be about.

I started riding back when I was small in a riding school and I bought my first pony, Misty, a few years ago. I just couldn’t get enough of it from there and didn’t get a taste for the racehorses until a couple of years ago. When I first sat on a racehorse I was hooked from there.  It’s my passion and really all that I can do.  The skill and the speed in horses is like a drug, I can’t get enough of it.  

When I heard about RACE I immediately, before even telling my parents about it, started preparing my application for it.  When we arrived on the Open Day I remember my Mum telling me that somebody must have heard about me and built an academy to suit what I need.  

When I arrived on the first day the first thing that struck me was that this was the first step that I needed to take to become a Jockey.  Most of what I’ve learnt is what it really takes to become a Jockey. People just don’t realise what kind of mental and physical strength goes into the sport.  I’ve also made a lot of valuable connections in the racing world, and met a lot of great people that have helped me along the way.  

I’m really looking forward to graduating and getting out there to try and make it by myself and hopefully becoming a top class Jockey.

Ben was placed with Conor O’Dwyer in November 2015

Ben schooling on the Curragh Training Grounds