A recent double at Thurles further vindicated my decision to resurrect my riding career. Having taken a break from the sport for personal reasons, I felt that I had something to prove, to myself as much as anyone else. Now thanks to the support of those around me, I am riding winners again and hopefully making up for lost time.

I learned how to ride horses during summers spent in Doon with my uncle, Paddy Hanley. Paddy, a brother of my mom’s, is a well known horse dealer.

As I really hated school, I saw racing as a means of escape and applied to join RACE once I reached 3rd Year.

I started out with James Burns on the Curragh, at a time when he was a leading dual purpose trainer with an 80-strong string. He taught me how to ride properly and school thoroughbreds for the first time.

Philip Carberry and a young Davy Condon also rode out at the yard and I thoroughly enjoyed the 18 months I spent there. After obtaining my jockey’s license at 16, I had one ride on the flat, before weight forced me to switch codes.

I returned home to Limerick and got a job working for Enda Bolger. It was a fantastic experience and I got to travel to Cheltenham with horses such as Spot Thedifference and Garde Champetre. Enda was very good to me and I have so much to thank him for.

During my time in the yard I had one ride over jumps but got plenty opportunities in point-to-points. I rode my first winner at Stradbally for Leo Hayes.

I was in and out of horses for a time, even giving them up for a year, before going back to the Curragh. I rode out for Conor O’Dwyer for a spell, before he put me in contact with James Nash.

The latter placed his faith in me by immediately giving me chances despite my relative inexperience. Fortunately I clicked with a horse of his named Star Of Aragon who turned out to be a huge help to my career. I rode my first winner on that horse at Galway in August 2011, before going on to win again at the Cheltenham October meeting. We made it three wins for the year when winning at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival in late December.

REAPPLY

In 2012, I gave up racing for personal reasons, not returning until 2015. However, I always had it in the back of my mind that I gave up too easily and could have made it as a jockey.

I rang Enda Bolger and started riding out one day a week, gradually dipping my toes back in the water. He encouraged me to reapply for my license and only for him I may never have taken those final steps. I contacted John Joe Walsh about the possibility of riding out at his yard and he was very accommodating.

I cannot say enough about John Joe, Celeste and the whole family. They took me in, supported me and helped me get my eye back in for race-riding. Around this time last year, I hooked up with a new agent, Ruaidhri Tierney.

I had a chat with him, agreed to put my career in his hands and it was one of the best things I ever did. He put me in touch with Michael Bowe, a man who has done so much for my career. Although only training a small string, Michael has some very nice horses and had no hesitation in putting me up on them in their races.

It is a great yard to work in, with former stars such as Limestone Lad, Solerina and Sweet Kiln still around the stables. I always hoped I could get back in with James Nash, as he did so much for my career first time round. He welcomed me back with open arms when I made the approach and I was delighted to repay him somewhat with a recent winner. Earlier this month I started riding out for Paddy Neville and he has also been a great man to work for.

Jockey coach, Warren O’Connor, is another who has supported me and brought my career along in recent months.

Kieran Purcell, the McDonaghs, Jim Barcoe and James Grace are other trainers that have given me chances. I rode De Benno to win a Grade B Handicap Chase for James [Grace] at Limerick in 2017. Not only was it a dream come through to win such a big prize at my local track but it also formed part of my first ever double, as I partnered Allez Kal to win for Jim Barcoe later on the card.

I couldn’t be more pleased with how my career has gone over the past 12 months and at no time have I doubted my decision to return. I have ridden 10 winners already and am well on my way to reducing my claim. That would be the most immediate target – getting down to 5lbs.

Basically I will go wherever Ruaidhri sends me and do what he advises. I have been following his directions blindly since enlisting his help and everything is working so far. With so much to look forward to over the coming season I am confident I have made the right decision.

Cathal Landers was in conversation with John O’Riordan