A recent double at Thurles further vindicated my decision to resurrect my riding career. Having taken a break from the sport for personal reasons, I felt that I had something to prove, to myself as much as anyone else. Now thanks to the support of those around me, I am riding winners again and hopefully making up for lost time.

I learned how to ride horses during summers spent in Doon with my uncle, Paddy Hanley. Paddy, a brother of my mom’s, is a well known horse dealer.