THREE winners in January mean that I am already halfway towards equalling my total for the previous calendar year.

Having got 2023 off to the perfect start with a win on Cheers Again at Dundalk at the first meeting after Christmas, I recorded a double two days later; the first of my career.

The new initiative, which restricts the opening few fixtures to jockeys that have ridden less than 20 winners during a set period, gives young apprentices like myself great opportunities.

My father Michael is a trainer, so both my brother Harry and myself were around horses from an early age. Like most young lads, we started off with ponies and later did a bit of hunting.

Both of us also rode out at home; in the mornings before school and on the holidays.

Harry has also made his career as a jockey, although he rides under National Hunt rules. I went to local trainer Willie McCreery during third year in secondary school, signing on as a stable apprentice. However, despite already knowing at that point that I wanted to become a jockey, I stayed in school until after transition year.

During the two years I spent with Willie, he was very good to me, as were both Billy Lee and Nathan Crosse. The former used to come in and ride out, while the latter, who was also an apprentice, was based in the yard fulltime.

Riding work alongside the two lads brought me on considerably as a jockey and prepared me for a future in the sport.

It was fantastic to see both riders have such incredible seasons; Billy challenging for the jockey’s championship and Nathan losing his claim, while also riding his first listed winner.

First winner

Mogwli was the first winner I rode; at the Curragh in August 2020. He was also just my third ever ride in public.

Unfortunately, as Covid restrictions were in place at the time, none of my family were present on track but they watched the race from the six-furlong start on the main road.

That same horse also provided me with my second winner, on just my fourth ride, when following up at Navan a month later.

The Peckhampouncer was my sole winner in 2021, a season during which I moved to Sheila Lavery as stable apprentice. I also rode out three mornings a week for Curragh-based Michael Grassick.

After the disappointment of the previous campaign, last season just really took off for me. I won three times aboard Mullacash Buzz for Thomas Dowling; a trainer who has been really good to me.

That same horse definitely got me noticed, leading to plenty of outside rides.

Both Sheila Lavery and Michael Grassick also provided me with a winner each, while the sixth came on Der Mc for Michael John O’Connor. Just before Christmas, I started riding out in Ballydoyle for Aidan O’Brien. I am now down there six mornings a week and I am really enjoying it.

Opportunity

As a young apprentice, I fully appreciate the opportunity I have been given and I am determined to make the most of it. Riding work alongside Seamie Heffernan and Wayne Lordan has proved hugely beneficial in helping to mould me as a jockey.

Aidan O’Brien has been very good to me from the first day I started, even giving me a ride on Engagement Ring at Dundalk prior to Christmas. Dave Keena, who became my agent after Ken Whelan stopped doing the flat lads, has been working very hard on my behalf.

The plum ride on Cheers Again last week was one that plenty jockeys wanted to get but he secured it for me. Thankfully, I was able to repay both Dave and trainer Paul Flynn by riding a winner.

Two days later, I rode the first double of my career when Not Too Real Bad and Nevada Brave were both successful. My dad, who is friendly with Tom Mullins got me the ride on the former, while Dave booked me on the latter horse trained by Luke Comer.

I know that more opportunities are there in the early weeks of the new year with many of the senior riders on a break. Hopefully, I can kick on from here and pick up some more nice rides over the coming weeks.

Ambition

Looking further ahead, the main ambition for 2023 would be to better my tally of the previous year, while at the same time, building more contacts and riding for different trainers.

It would be incredible to ride a winner for my dad at some point, so hopefully that will come, if not this season, then soon.

I know what a special moment that would be for the whole family. Aside from that, like every jockey, the goal would be to stay healthy and injury free.

Jack Cleary was in conversation with John O’Riordan