THE Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap at Galway is, for all intents and purposes, the Amateur Derby.

So, to win that prestigious race on Teed Up on the opening evening of this year’s festival was undoubtedly one of my highlights in the saddle.

Given that so many great riders have spent years trying to win the race, or even gone their entire career without doing so, I feel very fortunate to have managed a win on my first attempt.

I think the interest in racing came from my mother’s side of the family. Both herself and my uncle were always into hunting. The latter, Tony Moloney, also held a licence over a number of years, training both point-to-point winners and a few under rules.

My father had a farm, so there were always horses and ponies at home when I was growing up. I did a lot of hunting and show jumping in my early years, before progressing to polo-cross at Collins Equestrian Centre in Athlacca.

As kids, we would have gone to our local point-to-points on a Sunday but it was not until fifth year in school that I began to think seriously about riding in races. At that time, I was riding out for trainer John Gleeson, who encouraged me to go for the licence.

It was during first year in college, where I did Legal Studies and Economics in Galway, that I got properly into point-to-pointing. I rode my first winner between the flags, Mrs Henderson for Fran Costello, at Rathmorrissey in March 2012.

Under rules

Over the next few years, I mostly rode in point-to-points, with the occasional few rides under rules.

It was not until 2016 that I had my first winner on the racecourse: Rockshandy for Paddy Neville at the Listowel festival. Being both Limerick men, that particular meeting is very close to home, so it was extra special to have a win down there.

The following year, I won a hunter chase in Cork on Black Scorpion for John Gleeson. It meant a lot to win for John, as he had been instrumental in my decision to take out a licence.

Black Scorpion also proved a real flagship horse for me, as prior to that Cork win, I had ridden him to two point-to-point successes and I would later win a fourth race on him in a handicap chase at Clonmel.

Around that time, I started riding out for Enda Bolger three days a week. He was also very good to me, giving me plenty of opportunities both in point-to-points and under rules.

I won the Ladies Perpetual Cup on Blue Templar on the Tuesday of the 2019 Punchestown Festival, before doubling up in the Cross Country Chase on the Saturday.

Riding a dual winner in those famous green and gold colours at the festival was a great thrill and I can’t thank both Enda and Mr McManus enough.

Bumper winners

Around 2017/’18, I rode seven or eight bumper winners for Charles Byrnes in as many months. He continued to use me regularly after that and just over two years ago, I started in his yard full-time.

Last year, I rode Green Glory to win a bumper at the Punchestown Festival for Charles and in April, Walk Away Harry won that same race for us. I have no doubt that being associated with such a successful stable, and receiving the trainer’s approval, has helped propel my career forward in terms of picking up outside rides.

The amateur ranks are very competitive right now, with most big yards having their own retained jockey, so the chance of spare rides is slim.

I had never ridden in the Qualified Riders Handicap at Galway prior to this week, nor indeed ridden a winner at that festival. The closest I came to breaking my duck was when second in the Q.R. Maiden on Run For Mary in 2019.

I had been due to ride Run For Oscar in last year’s renewal of the handicap but unfortunately he got balloted from the race. Up until Friday, I had no ride in the 2023 running, although a few of the lads had told me it could be near declaration time before I’d know for sure if I would be involved.

Nice surprise

When Emmet Mullins rang to offer me the ride on Teed Up it certainly was a nice surprise. Trained by one of the best target trainers in the country, the horse had won at the track previously, was coming into the race in good form and was owned by people who love Galway winners, the Mee family.

The race itself couldn’t have gone any better. Teed Up broke well, got the fast gallop he requires and while the pace collapse forced me into taking it up sooner than I had anticipated, the horse found plenty in front.

I count myself very fortunate to have won such a prestigious race at the first time of asking; hopefully it wasn’t just beginner’s luck! Most of the credit has to go to Emmet and his team - the horse was primed to perfection. I was just very lucky to get the call up to ride a horse who had a favourite’s chance.

As I said, I firmly believe that my association with the Byrnes stable has afforded me such opportunities. Only for men such as Charles, John Gleeson, Enda Bolger and all those who have supported me to date, I wouldn’t be in such a privileged position.

Ray Barron was in conversation with John O’Riordan