AS we bring you news and updates over the course of the Corinthian Challenge Race Series together with Irish Injured Jockeys, the next competitor we caught up with is challenger Eimear O’Gorman.

Q: Why did you sign up for the Corinthian Challenge?

A friend/owner in the Shark’s [Hanlon] actually suggested to me I should do it, I hadn’t even heard of it before then.

I was 20 before I started riding out racehorses and when aged 24 I had intentions to take out an apprentice flat licence but there was a condition back then that when you turned 25 you lost your 10lb claim, so my boss at the time decided against it.

I made another attempt in 2014 to ride in the charity race at Punchestown, but I broke my leg and I ended up stopping riding racehorses altogether but always regretted not riding in at least one race on the track.

Q: Do you have any family background in racing or where did your interest come from?

My family is steeped in horse rearing and breeding of half-breds over the generations. I rode ponies all my life, so it’s safe to say horses are definitely in the blood.

My first real interaction with racing came through the now deceased and renowned music producer and racehorse trainer Denny Cordell Lavarack at his home and yard at Corrie House, as I was friends with his daughter Emerald. We spent summer holidays tearing around the yard on our ponies as fast as we could go, driving the staff mad, no doubt.

I first sat on a racehorse at nine years of age and got run away with up the road. He’d won a few days previous and was happy in himself to say the least!! But it didn’t deter me.

Denny also took me racing to Gowran Park. He was such a lovely charismatic man, liked by everyone in the area.

Q: How is your training going and who is helping you?

I have always kept pretty fit through weightlifting, running, cycling, hiking and competing at adventure races and it has helped me big time transitioning back into the saddle after nine years.

I am riding out in the Shark’s three mornings a week, which involves working the horses at Duninga Gallops for two of those mornings. I am also getting invaluable coaching from Paddy Flood at RACE.

Q: What do you do for a living?

I work for myself trading online while also helping on the family farm at home, which is mainly sheep and horses. I have some stock myself but intend to expand.

Q: What fundraising plans are you working on?

I have had great support from local businesses in my area and I am especially grateful to my main sponsors Donohue Solutions and Gain Equine Nutrition. I intend to hold a fundraising night, possibly a quiz night followed by a raffle as Gain have given me a voucher worth €500 to be won. I will also add more prizes to entice the crowd.

Q: Who are your racing heroes and why?

I admire anybody who is not from the typical racing background and has made a success of their careers through hard work determination and grit, as it’s a tough sport and I am delighted to be able to contribute in some way to their cause, when times are tough.

If you’d like to support Eimear O’Gorman, visit https://irishinjuredjockeys.enthuse.com/pf/eimear-o-gorman-d1bbb.