WINNING the second leg of this year’s Corinthian Challenge at the Curragh last Sunday was an incredible experience.

To be honest, even now, almost a week later, it still hasn’t really sunk in. To do so, on Fair Damsel, a mare that is owned, bred and trained by Dick Brabazon made it all the more special. Always a source of great encouragement over the years, Dick was instrumental in my decision to take part in the series this time round.

I got into horses through my dad, Sean, who had worked for trainer Dan Moore at one time. Although he had moved on to run his own farm by the time I was born, Dad had spent five or six years at Ballysax Manor around the time of L’Escargot. He always retained a keen interest in racing and would go to local meetings such at the Curragh and Naas.

Growing up, we never missed an Irish Derby; it was a huge social occasion for the whole family. At the age of 12, I got a pony for Christmas and shortly after going into secondary school, I started hunting. Dad, who hadn’t sat on a horse for over 30 years, decided that he would get back in the saddle and join me!

After my Leaving Certificate, I started in college but finding that the course I chose wasn’t for me, I took a year out before reapplying the following year. During that gap, I went to work for trainer Frank Ennis full-time. It was a fantastic experience, where I received a great education from a true gentleman.

Twelve months later, I began a three-year degree programme in Equine Management at CAFRE in Enniskillen. On weekends and holidays, I continued to return home to Kildare to ride out for Frank in the mornings. The college also had its own point-to-point yard, so I both rode out and led up at the races.

Upon graduating, I went to Australia for a year, where I worked for leading Tasmanian trainer, David Brunton at Seven Mile Beach. I found this a unique experience in itself, as having been used to working horses on the Old Vic, it was a culture shock to discover David did all his training on the beach.

However, his methods clearly worked as he was regularly amongst the winners. One afternoon in particular will always stand out; when our yard went through the entire card at a meeting.

Return

By the time I returned to Ireland, Frank Ennis had retired from training, so I went to Paul Deegan for a year. During that period I rode a lot of work alongside Chris Hayes, who rode the majority of the stable horses. Chris was always very helpful in terms of offering help or advice throughout that time.

I was delighted to see him go on and prove himself at the highest level over the last number of years. Following my time with Paul Deegan, I went back to college, where I did an Equine Science Masters in UCD. For my thesis, I studied the recovery heart rate in two-year-old thoroughbreds, collecting my data at Jim Bolger’s yard.

Next, I went back to CAFRE in Enniskillen, where I was employed as an Equine Lecturer. I had known Dick Brabazon for a number of years, as he used to work his horses with Frank. Dick had always promised me that if there wasn’t a job there with Frank, he would find something for me. So, throughout the three years I spent in Enniskillen, I rode out for Dick on my time off.

Later, when I went on to work at Kildalton College in Piltown, I continued to go in to Brabazon’s. However, during a second three-year stint at CAFRE, I stayed up in Fermanagh that bit more, meaning I wasn’t able to ride out as before.

Godolphin

In September 2021, I moved back home to Kildare, to take up a role as Godolphin Flying Start Ireland Co-ordinator. My role as Ireland Coordinator includes coordinating the calendar for the trainees while in Ireland and helping with recruitment of new applicants along with processing applications and the admin with interviews.

I also teach in the Irish Farrier School one evening a week and teach an evening class in RACE. I am based full-time in the office from 1pm to 5pm each afternoon but am back riding out for Dick Brabazon in the mornings. I had only been home a few months when he rang me to know if I knew of anyone who could ride out as he was stuck for riders. His timing couldn’t have been any better! I started back riding out in March 2022 and have been there ever since.

I had been aware of the Corinthian Challenge over the last few years, given that it is well advertised and supports a great cause. The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund rely on funding from the public, with the aforementioned series their main source of income. As entrants have to both raise a minimum of €10,000 and find their own horse(s) for the races, it is quite a challenge in itself.

I hadn’t expected Dick to provide a horse but given his standing within the sport, I hoped that he could help me to source a ride. It was extremely generous of him to offer me his own mare, Fair Damsel, for the duration of the series.

With his main business being breaking/pre-training, Dick holds a restricted trainer’s licence, therefore he was making a personal sacrifice in allowing me to ride Fair Damsel.

Having finished fifth in the opening leg of the Challenge at Naas last month, I was very much looking forward to the second race at the Curragh on Sunday. Aside from feeling that I could improve from the initial experience, it was an incredible opportunity getting to race-ride at my local track.

The races themselves go by very quick; I was always confident that Fair Damsel would stay. Over a furlong out, I thought we had a real chance of being involved and thankfully the mare found plenty when I asked her.

Despite the bad weather, my family and friends braved the elements, so it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces on the way back into the winner’s enclosure.

The last leg of the Corinthian Challenge takes place at Leopardstown on October 21st.

To date, I have raised over €7,000 so over the next few weeks, both myself and the other 12 riders will be making one final big push to reach our targets. You can donate to Martina’s challenge by following this link: https://irishinjuredjockeys.enthuse.com/pf/martina-dempsey

Martina was in conversation with John O’Riordan