AFTER I developed a real passion for breaking and pre-training young horses during a seven-year stint in Japan, I am now back doing what I love best in a similar role at Gilltown Stud.

Growing up in Galway I was introduced to horses at a young age, where I rode pony racing and hunted with the Blazers. I made some lifelong friends on the pony circuit; lads like Muredach Kelly, Declan Murphy and John Egan.

In my early teenage years I rode out for Pauline Gavin and at 16, I went to work for Arthur Moore. The latter was champion trainer at the time and housed some real stars such as Feroda, Bonalma, Weather The Storm and Have A Barney. I rode many of those horses at home and in bumpers, in my role as stable amateur. Back then the Punchestown Festival signalled the end of the jumps season and I headed off each summer, not returning until Listowel in September. I was determined to gain as much experience as possible so ended up spending months with Luca Cumani, Leo O’Brien and John Oxx.

Arthur Moore’s yard was a great place to work and I have kept in close contact with the likes of Liam Cusack, Ralph Beckett and Ben Case who all spent time there over the years. I was in Moore’s from the age of 16 until 24, when I retired from the saddle. The highlight of my career was a Cheltenham winner aboard Artful Abbot for Simon Sherwood (it wasn’t at the festival but I never tell people that!)

JAPAN

The day after I had my last ride on the track, I packed my bags and headed to Japan. Ross Neilan, who rode as an amateur for Michael Grassick, and I were the first to head over there, others such as Muredach [Kelly] and Barry Walsh (RACE) came out later.

The Japanese would only take on riders who had at least 10 years experience and we got our jobs through Christy Grassick.

After two years as work riders, Ross and I were promoted to run two separate pre-training operations. I oversaw the breaking of between 70-100 horses a year and was given a free hand to run my own show.

Given the circumstances one couldn’t but learn and I gained a great deal of experience in this field. Eventually the time came to make a decision on where my future lay and having earned a good living in Japan I was in a position to return home, buy some property and get a foot on the ladder.

I came back and took up a role as assistant trainer to Michael Grassick, where I worked for a further two years. I was then approached by Jim Murphy and Barry Walsh of RACE, asking if I would go to the Ukraine to teach young jockeys.

It transpired that many riders from that country were coming over here as work riders but when they arrived at Dublin Airport many resembled taxi drivers! I was sent out to polish their skills and teach those deemed capable of making it at a higher level.

Many high quality work riders came over to Ireland during my time at the Ukraine Racing School and over a five-year period we sent graduates to leading trainers such as Aidan O’Brien and Willie Mullins.

I loved my time in the Ukraine and got married while I was over there. In late 2007, I moved home to Ireland and Conor O’Dwyer asked me to become head lad.

He had just started training and enjoyed plenty of early success before the downturn came and his operation suffered as much as others around him.

In 2011, a rare opportunity came up at Gilltown Stud, with Paddy Carey’s retirement and I was forced to jump ship from Conor and take up a job that doesn’t come up very often.

In a throwback to my time in Japan, I am working within a large pre-training operation where we break up to 70 horses a season, as well as looking after injured racehorses in need of rehabilitation.

It is a fantastic place to work and I consider myself very fortunate to be able to indulge in my passion and work with some of the best bred horses in the world.

David Geoghegan was in conversation with John O’Riordan