FOLLOWING a slow start to the new campaign, which yielded just three winners prior to December, my season really took off last month.

In riding a further six winners, I not only trebled my tally but also rode two doubles and a career highlight; winning the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas, on Editeur Du Gite.

Racing is bred into me from both sides of the family. My father always had horses on the go, owning a few over the years. My aunt Breda is married to trainer David Kiely, whose yard is located just a few fields from our home place.

David’s brother, John is more or less the same distance away on the far side. Dad used to ride out for David on a Saturday and from a young age I used to accompany him to the yard.

My mother’s side of the family, the Phelans, are also immersed in racing. Maurice used to train in Athy, while Pat still holds a licence and is based in Epsom. Another uncle, Michael, works for Coolmore, while a fourth, Eamonn, runs Derryluskin Stud in Fethard.

Summer job

At the age of 11, I started a summer/weekend job, doing general yard work and milking cows for John Kiely.

The following year, I began riding out a few lots and basically never looked back. One of the first horses I sat on was Wise Old Owl, runner-up in the 2011 Galway Plate. John was very good to me, not just in terms of teaching me about racehorses but life in general. He was certainly one of the biggest influences on me as a young lad growing up.

Like my brothers Sean and Connor before me, I also did pony jumping and showjumping. Later, I went on to hunt with the Dungarvan Farmers. Sean, who is five years older than me, was based with Philip Hobbs by the time I went into secondary school.

I spent one summer riding out over there when I was 15 and another, with my uncle Pat Phelan in Epsom. In fifth year in school, I had my first ride under rules, in an amateur race at Clonmel for John Kiely.

Two weeks after doing my Leaving Certificate, I went over to Gary Moore as stable conditional jockey.

Sean was aware that the yard had a vacancy, having spoken to Jamie Moore at the races. Pat Phelan regularly used Josh when he had runners over jumps, so he also put in a word on my behalf.

First winner

Having emailed an application and secured the job, I rode my first career winner on my first ride for the stable - Eragon De Chanay at Sandown in November 2018.

I rode a further six winners that initial campaign, before managing just half that, in a hit and miss second season.

My third season yielded 17 winners, including the Josh Gifford Novices’ Chase at Sandown for his son Nick.

That success on Belargus was memorable as it was for J.P. McManus, whose silks I had first become so familiar with through Carlingford Lough. Last term, I recorded a seasonal personal best, riding 22 winners in all.

Hardest worker

Gary Moore, the boss man, is undoubtedly the hardest worker I have come across in my life. Not only does he train; he rides out, mucks out and grooms the horses.

His sons, Jamie and Josh, have been so helpful and supportive of me since I arrived in the yard. Both are thorough professionals, who are very well liked and respected members of the weighing room. I also look after assigned horses in the stable, with Goshen perhaps the best known.

I was standing down at the last hurdle at Cheltenham in 2020, when he unfortunately fell with the Triumph Hurdle at his mercy.

It was one of my hardest days in racing but Goshen has since gone on to show that he is a genuine graded horse and hopefully, he still has his best days ahead of him.

Despite having made my worst-ever start to a season, I wasn’t despondent coming into December.

The horses had been running relatively well but quicker ground conditions than normal for the time of year were undoubtedly a contributing factor.

Ball rolling

A double at Lingfield at the beginning of the month got the ball rolling, followed by another two at Fontwell on St Stephen’s Day. The latter pair were important as both were really well fancied and expected to win for the boss. It was a relief to get them over the line in front.

A day later, I enjoyed by biggest win to date when partnering Editeur Du Gite to Grade 2 success at Kempton. The eight-year-old, on whom I’d won twice last year, made all the running and stayed on really well.

Jupiter Du Gite, his half-brother, provided me with a final winner of 2022 when causing a 66/1 upset at Newbury on New Year’s Eve. A strong, free-going sort, he is a handful to ride at home, so Gary advised me not to fight him, instead just allowing him get into a rhythm in front.

Under those tactics, he made all, before quickening up well to win by 15 lengths.

Ambition

Looking towards 2023, my main ambition is to lose my 3lb claim before the end of the calendar year.

I still have 16 winners to go but hopefully, provided I can stay fit and healthy, that goal is attainable.

Like every National Hunt jockey, I’d love to ride a Cheltenham festival winner; perhaps, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Hurdle would be a realistic target come March.

Riding a winner in Ireland is also something I’d like to add to my record at some point. My brother Sean rode a bumper winner, while Connor was successful in a point-to-point.

I receive a bit of stick for being the only one of us yet to win at home, so hopefully that can be put right shortly.

Niall Houlihan was in conversation with John O’Riordan