I HAVE been delighted with how things have been going since I moved over to Britain in September. Although I’m not riding as many horses as I did at home, my strike rate has been much better.

Every day I go racing, I feel that I have a chance of riding a winner. Getting the opportunity to ride a nicer type of horse has been the major difference I would say.

We actually had no horses at all at home when I was young. I come from a farming background in Wicklow but horses were never part of that. It was not until I went into secondary school that I became interested.

A couple of lads I hung around with were big into ponies and showjumping. Through them I got involved in pony club and basically it progressed from there. I was quite late getting into it but did a lot of pony club and showjumping in my early teens.

My aunt’s husband is in business with John McConnell’s father. Through that connection, I started riding out in John’s yard from third year onwards. At 15 or 16, I also rode out a few lots for local trainer Peter Croke. He is only about 10 minutes from us at home. Lads like Adam Short and Brian Lawless were getting going as well. We all got our licences around the same time.

I had one ride in a point-to-point for Peter Croke while still in school. After that, I spent a breeding season (January to June) working for Coolmore. From there, I went to work for Shark Hanlon full-time. A local man, Philip Wheatley, had horses in training with Shark. He asked me if I wanted to come down to the yard with him to ride out. Shark must have liked what he saw because he asked me to come back the next morning with my boots and helmet!

Just the beginning

As they say, the rest is history. My first full season riding point-to-points was something of a mixed bag. I had a few second and third placings but went into the final meeting of the year at Stradbally without a winner. Dusty Sheehy, who I had also started riding out for, told me he expected Rudy Catrail to win. Shark also fancied one of his horses, Urban Legend.

I rode my first ever winner on Urban Legend in the opening race at Stradbally and half-an-hour after, rode my second on Rudy Catrail. I knew then what people mean when they say it’s like waiting for buses to come along.

Rudy Catrail was also my first winner under rules in a handicap chase at Wexford. To be fair to Dusty, he let me keep the ride on the horse after that. Together with John McConnell and Shark (Hanlon), he has been one of the biggest influences on my career.

I had ridden five or six point-to-point winners before Covid hit. After that, I turned conditional as the point-to-points weren’t operating for a time.

In June 2021, I rode Hewick to win his beginners chase on his first start over fences at Clonmel. I was also board when he won the Durham National at Sedgefield in October that same year. Back then, I thought he was a nice horse but I never imagined he would progress into a Grade 1 winner.

Every time he ran, the horse took another leap forward. He just seemed to come on 10lb every run and kept improving. I was still in Shark’s when Hewick won the King George at Kempton. It was brilliant to be involved and play some small part in what has become such a great story.

Decision vindicated

While I was getting plenty of rides in Ireland, the winners just didn’t come as frequent. The chance to move over to Britain came about through Micky Bowen. Although Micky was working for Willie (Mullins), he was living in Shark’s. He had brought over a horse called Easy Bucks who ran under Shark’s licence. I won on that horse at Punchestown in January. Micky suggested that I should try my luck in Britain, as there would be more opportunities. He promised to help as much as he could to get me going over here. To be fair, he has been true to his word. Of the six winners I have had this season, four have been for Micky and Peter (Bowen).

I am delighted that I took the decision to make the move. Hopefully I can ride a few more winners and maybe reach double figures before the end of the season. In this sport, one winner can change everything.

Like most lads, I’d love to find that ‘Saturday’ horse that can propel me to that next level. Other than that, I just want to put my head down and work hard and stay free of injury.

Shane Fenelon was in conversation with John O’Riordan