PRIOR to last Monday evening, I had never even attended a race meeting in Britain, let alone rode at one. Not only was that all new to me but riding on a switchback race such as Epsom was a totally alien experience in itself. So, to win the Amateur Derby at the famous Surrey track on the Tony Martin-trained Belgoprince was something that will live long in my memory.

With my father being involved with the Ward Union Hunt, it was perhaps only natural that I would develop an interest in horses from a young age. We always had a couple of ponies and hunters at home, so he taught me how to ride as soon as I was able. From there, I went on to do Pony Club, before following in his footsteps with the hunting. There was always racing on the TV in our house when I was growing up, so I suppose the inclination to veer towards becoming a jockey stemmed from that. Although we would have gone to the odd meeting such as Punchestown or Leopardstown during my primary school days, I wouldn’t have been racing regularly.

During secondary school, I started riding out in Gordon Elliott’s yard. That was my first real exposure to a thoroughbred racing stable and I really loved the experience. I learned plenty during the couple of years I spent there, as everyone was very accommodating in terms of offering help and advice. I went in to ride out every Saturday, then hunted with the Ward Union on any days off.

In February of last year, having taken out an amateur licence, I got in touch with Tony Martin to see if I could go in and ride out. Initially, it was just that but Tony (Martin) has been a massive help to me, imparting plenty of knowledge in teaching me what to do and not do. Having been a leading amateur jockey himself, he is well placed to pass on his expertise and fortunately I am in the right place to avail of that. I had my first ever ride under rules at last year’s Galway Festival, with a first winner coming my way via Movie King at Down Royal this June. That horse is owned by my family, something that made the initial winner all the more significant.

Valuable experience

Although I only rode out on weekends for much of last year as I was still in school, I have been full-time with Tony Martin since the summer. After finishing my Leaving Cert and getting a place in college, I deferred for a year so that I could devote all my time to race-riding in an attempt to get my name out there. Over the last few months, I have ridden in point-to-points, as well as picking up further valuable experience on the track.

I will begin studying for a Commerce degree at the University of Galway later this month but the intention is to ride out at weekends and hopefully get some opportunities in point-to-points and under rules. Monday’s win in the Amateur Derby was significant in that respect as it’s a prestigious event that carries plenty of weight within the amateur ranks. Jockeys of the calibre of Patrick Mullins and Jamie Codd have won the race in previous years so it’s incredible to be joining them on the roll of honour.

I walked the track before racing, with Tony on the other end of the phone. What struck me immediately was how stiff the climb was within the first furlong. It was like nothing I had ever seen at home. Despite this, I had to be confident, if only for the fact that Belgoprince was running in the race. Tony doesn’t send horses to the UK unless he believes that they are good enough to win, so that in itself was a major plus.

I had only found out on Saturday that I would be riding in the race, so I immediately set about booking my ticket and organising flights. The race itself worked out more or less how we had hoped it would, although I was in front a bit sooner than anticipated. With a good gallop assured, I didn’t want to be any closer than mid division, a rails’ position was preferred so as to avoid giving away ground. As it transpired, I sat one off the rail, where I was able to sit and bide my time. It wasn’t the plan to lead over two furlongs out but given how easily we were travelling, I was left with no option but to kick on.

After passing the line, it didn’t feel real for a few seconds; it just didn’t sink in. It was only when Tommy (Lenihan, owner) came up to me that I realised we had won. After the race, I received loads of texts and well wishes from family, friends and colleagues. Liam McKenna and Peter Carberry, who ride out alongside me at Tony’s, were two of the first people on the phone.

While I haven’t thought too far ahead in terms of my future in the saddle, the intention is to give it everything I can over the next few years, while also completing my degree in Galway. I love riding horses and being around a racing yard, so wouldn’t rule out making that a full-time career at some point. Really, it’s a case of waiting to see how far I can progress then reassessing at a later date. For now, at least, I couldn’t be more pleased with how everything has gone these past two years. I am very grateful to all the owners and trainers that have given me a leg up.

Billy was in conversation with John O’Riordan