CROSSING the line on Pegasus Bridge at Dundalk last Friday night I was unsure if I had held on. As we were pulling up, one of the lads asked if I had won but I wasn’t able to answer.

Even looking at the replay on the big screen on the way back up the track the result was still too close to call. I was genuinely in shock when his number was called as the winner; a week on and it has still to really sink in.

I have no idea where my interest in horses came from but from as long as I can remember I begged my mum to get me a pony. She finally relented and sent me for riding lessons before getting me that much sought after pony. In my primary school days I travelled all over Ireland in order to pick up valuable SJI points.

The ultimate goal was a place at the RDS but without the right pony or money behind me that dream slowly faded. In my teens, I spoke with a neighbour of ours, Conor McGovern, who had successfully graduated from RACE. He was full of praise for the academy and suggested I give it a try.

My mum didn’t think I’d last a week down there as it was so different to show jumping but I absolutely loved the trial and couldn’t wait to get going.

I was quite confident around horses so despite being very small and light, I adapted quickly. I was sent out to Johnny Murtagh on my work experience and he kept me on for three years after I finished in RACE. It was a great experience working for Johnny as he brought me along slowly, allowing me to ride the lead horses in work and develop a clock in my head.

Eventually I decided to come back home as I had been in Kildare long enough. Marshall and Keith Watson train just up the road from my home place, so I got a job riding out for them. Last summer, Marshall asked if I would have any interest in taking out an apprentice’s licence and I jumped at the chance.

I had a handful of rides on the track just before Christmas and rode two for the Watson stable in Newcastle in January. Just over a month ago, I also started riding out for Liam Lennon two or three days a week. I would finish early in Watson’s then ride work on the beach for Liam.

Pegasus Bridge is owned by some friends of ours and I was allowed ride him in Dundalk last Friday. Liam always believed that the horse had ability, it was just a question of finding the key to him. He certainly put me at ease before the race last week, telling me to go out and enjoy the experience without fear of any recriminations.

Photo finish: Nicole Smyth landed her first win in Dundalk last Friday on board Pegasus Bridge \ Healy Racing

I went through all of Pegasus Bridges races, most of which he had been held up in. I thought that as he was drawn close to Tribal Path it might be worth following that established front-runner, in doing so sitting closer to the pace. Fortunately everything just went to plan on the night and having led a furlong out, we just held on in a three-way photo finish.

Thrilled

I was thrilled for the little horse, as he deserved to win a race like that. Also, for Liam as he put his trust in me in allowing me to take the ride. It was great to see his faith in Pegasus Bridge being justified as well. My mum was there on the night also, so it was nice to be able to share that with her. I think she would go to all of my races if she could!

As a female apprentice it isn’t easy to pick up rides but hopefully Friday’s win will show that I am capable. Both on the flat and over jumps, girls are making a real go of it at the moment. We might not be as strong as the lads but can get a tune out of some horses who just run better for us.

I am also fortunate in that there are not too many apprentices, male or female, up this side of the country. Hopefully trainers both here and further south will keep me in mind over the coming months. I am quite settled in Ireland right now although I know that I may have to move abroad to further my career. There is still much for me to learn and Irish racing is stronger than anywhere else. My belief is that if I can make it here, I can make it anywhere in the world.

Nicole Smyth was in conversation with John O’Riordan.

Nicole Smyth with her proud mother Carmel after winning the Dundalk Stadium Handicap with Pegasus Bridge \ Healy Racing