ROSE Angel’s win at Dundalk last Friday night was hopefully the first of many, in what I firmly believe to be my most important year to date. Having spent the past two seasons gaining experience and learning my trade, I harbour serious ambitions of challenging for the title of champion apprentice over the coming months.

Growing up in the Dublin suburb of Drimnagh, I had very little contact with horses or racing. None of my family had any interest and I was the first to embrace the sport. From an early age I nagged my mother to take me to the equestrian centre in Ballyfermot and eventually, at the age of 10, I got my way.

School was never a factor in my life. I always just saw it as a process one had to go through until old enough to find employment. Having left school at 15, I was too young to go to RACE, so Camilla O’Connor, an instructor at Cherry Orchard Equestrian Centre, helped me send CVs to a number of trainers around the country. Having sent out 17, only two replied – one was a rejection and the second, from Jim Bolger, invited me to come and work for him. After a few weeks Jim asked me what I wanted to do with my life and I confidently informed him I wanted to be a jockey, not just that but the best there is!

Having never even sat on a thoroughbred, I spent a good six to eight months riding ponies and learning the basics before I was allowed near a racehorse. Even then, it was only partnering the quite ones on the gallops, leading the string and getting to know how to judge pace properly. I was in the yard almost 18 months before I had a full book of lots next to my name each work morning.

FIRST RACE

The boss certainly looked after me from day one and has given me every chance to make it as a jockey. I was never expected to do more than he thought I was capable of. When the day finally arrived for me to have my first ride in public, on Irish Bulletin at Naas on October 21st, 2012, I remember ringing my parents to tell them – it felt like I had just won the lottery. I finished fifth on what was my sole ride of the season. Fiosrach was my first winner at Limerick in April 2014 and that same horse gave me my second win at Cork just nine days later. I ended the season with four wins, a more than satisfactory reward for my progress.

I always classed 2015 as my first proper season, as I was in the thick of it from the outset in March and rode for a number of outside yards. Trainers such as Lee Smyth, Gerry Stack and Paul Flynn were very good to me and gave me lots of opportunities. I was determined to use the season to make contacts, get my name out there and show that I had talent.

If I rode winners, that was great, but it was more about keeping my head down and not making mistakes. As it turned out, the winners did indeed come along and I finished the season with 12 successes to my name. I am the first to acknowledge that I am very fortunate to be based where I am.

Jim took me under his wing from day one and is undoubtedly the single biggest influence on my career. He made sure that I could walk before I ran and never overburdened me at any stage. I get on very well with the boss and he is very easy to talk to if I have a problem. Ronan Whelan is my best friend and I spend a lot of time with him. From the first morning I walked into the yard, Ronan was always prepared to offer advice and encouragement and I am never afraid to ask him a question no matter how ridiculous it may sound. Similar sentiments apply to Kevin Manning, who has also been a big influence from the beginning. I also have to thank jockeys’ coach Gordon Power, whose advice and support is greatly appreciated. Dave Keena, my agent, has been instrumental as well, getting me plenty of rides.

With the backing of such a strong team, I really want to give the apprentices’ championship a good shot in 2016. I know that I will need plenty of outside rides and I am taking nothing for granted. Fortunately, I have done the groundwork in previous seasons and am hoping that all those trainers and owners that supported me to date, will continue to do so over the coming year. It would be fantastic if I could repay their faith by taking the title.

Daniel Redmond was in conversation with John O’Riordan.