ON the approach to the third last fence in Monday’s Irish Grand National, I began to realise that I was in with a real chance of winning the feature race. My mount, 150/1 outsider, Freewheelin Dylan who had jumped brilliantly throughout, was about to meet the upcoming obstacle on a perfect stride. I knew if he did so, I would have a few of my nearest pursuers in trouble as they had ground to make up on the run-in. That is exactly how the race played out, leaving me to celebrate a career highlight on my very first ride in the National.

Army man

Although born in Dublin, I have lived in Kildare most of my life. My father, an army man, didn’t want to raise his family in the capital, so he applied for a post on the Curragh. I got friendly with Conor Brassil almost immediately and through his family I took an interest in horses.

My introduction to pony racing came through a neighbour, John Quinn. He trained on the Curragh at the time and after seeing a pair of old riding boots in his front garden I enquired as to what they were. Having had my curiosity satisfied, I went on to spend every hour I could up at John’s stables.

Later, he gave me a horse called Loveboat Captain, on whom I won 13 or 14 pony races, including the famed Dingle Derby.

With my passion for racing having firmly taken hold, I left school after fifth year and signed on as an apprentice with Willie McCreery.

I went from expecting to get a decent ride round to winning an Irish Grand National.

Despite riding three winners from my first six rides under rules, weight was always going to be an issue meaning that jump racing was where my future lay.

After a year down in Cork with John Joseph Murphy, I returned to Kildare to start my National Hunt education under the guidance of Martin Brassil. Over the next three years, I got a fantastic grounding, not just in schooling and riding but in general care of racehorses.

Unlike my flying start to life as a jockey, everything just took that bit longer the second time round. I rode my first winner on Memories Of Milan in August 2014 but the expected surge never materialised. I didn’t get going as quick as I had wanted so I decided to leave Martin Brassil and take up a role with Sandra Hughes.

Best decision

In the meantime, Conor O’Dwyer found out that I was on the move and he gave me a call. I ended up going to work for Conor – easily the best decision of my life. He has been an unbelievable boss over the past five and a half years, placing so much trust in me. For jockeys, it’s all about confidence and riding for a man like Conor you literally believe you can do anything. I can honestly say I have never heard him raise his voice or give out in all the time I have been his stable jockey. A man of few words, when he tells you something you listen.

Conor O’Dwyer has been the single biggest influence on my career and without him I doubt I would ever have ridden an Irish Grand National winner.

Graded wins

Well Set Up took my career to the next level with two graded wins and a listed win last season. Mark Fahey, who trained the mare, has been a great supporter of mine and I can always rely on him for a few winners each year.

I ride plenty of work on the Curragh and the likes of Martin Brassil, Johnny Levins, Brendan Duke, Charles O’Brien, Eoin Griffin, Gearoid O’Loughlin and Frank Oakes have been very loyal.

Having ridden out my claim at Tramore last September, I was always conscious of what an important season this was going to be. Like many lads before me, I was either going to press ahead or get left behind. Thankfully, it has been the former, with a Grade B win at Leopardstown aboard Mitchouka last month a season highlight before Monday.

Fairyhouse

Going to Fairyhouse for the Irish Grand National I was just delighted to have my first ride in the race. I had won the Midlands National on Freewheelin Dylan last summer but this was a much stronger contest. The fact we were sent off as 150/1 outsiders highlights that in no uncertain terms.

However, one thing I did know was that I would get a great spin off the horse as he jumps really well and is tough and honest. Dermot McLoughlin had told me to do what we normally do, bowl along in front and just take it as it comes.

In the space of eight minutes, I went from expecting to get a decent ride round to winning an Irish Grand National. It was a feeling I had never experienced before – I am rarely stuck for words but was genuinely speechless in the minutes that followed.

The one thing that has really struck me over the last few days is the number of people that have texted or called. Aside from family, friends and industry colleagues, the well wishes I have received from others has been eye-opening.

I don’t think I fully appreciated what big a deal it is to those outside of our sport. I suppose the Irish Grand National is a race for those that only have a couple of bets a year and the fact Freewheelin Dylan was 150/1 also added to the story. I am told that he was the longest priced winner ever in the history of the race so that’s something for quiz buffs.

Looking further ahead, I hope that the win will help raise my profile with owners and trainers so that I get further opportunities to compete on the bigger stage in the years ahead.

Ricky Doyle was in conversation with John O’Riordan