At the end of last month, I won the Leadership Award at the 2024 Godolphin Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards.

Being one of two Irish recipients on the night (Emma Cully - Administration and Ancillary Award), it was a proud moment being honoured so far from home.

Having initially started out as a work rider for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy, over the past six years I have progressed to become senior foreman.

Both my parents have a deep interest in horse racing. My dad was initially involved in syndicates, with Super Franky of The Stayers Syndicate giving them 10 wins including a run in the Aintree Grand National.

Later he was involved in the Morning Dew Racing Club for whom Rockstown Boy won six races including the amateurs’ handicap at Galway. He is now an independent owner.

My mother comes from a racing family, being a sister to trainer Charles Byrnes. It was at Charles’ stables that I had my early introduction to thoroughbred riding, spending weekends and holidays there. I was well looked after there and it has led to a long association with thoroughbreds.

I started off with the Limerick Pony Club, progressing to show jumping and hunting. Once I tasted pony racing I was hooked - there was no contest when a pony club competition clashed with pony racing and the pony club died a quick death! I did three seasons of pony racing - my dad took me the length and breath of the country!

Work in racing

I think I knew from Junior Certificate that I wanted to work in racing. I knew a few lads who had gone to RACE and they gave me great encouragement. I completed RACE while I was in Transition Year at school. I was sent out to trainer John Oxx on the Curragh.

This was a great place to learn from the best, the attention to detail was second to none. Unfortunately, it was the year after Sea The Stars, so I missed out on that journey. Fran Barry had just started there as stable jockey when I arrived.

After my six-month placement, I returned to school and finished my Leaving Certificate. When I finished school, I spent some time at Chantilly, riding out for trainer Francois Marie Cottin.

I then took out my amateurs’ licence, combining my university years with riding in point-to-points and bumpers. I graduated from DCU with a degree in Business and Finance.

l did two summers of stud work with Luke Lillingston at Mount Coote Stud and a spell at Kildangan Stud.

After DCU an opportunity arose through RACE to do a six-month exchange programme in Australia. I went over to Tony McEvoy, who was based in Flemington in Victoria.

During that time, I was lucky enough to ride out Royal Symphony, a horse that finished fourth in both the Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate that season.

Before going to Australia, I had applied for the Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Management Course. While I was over there, I got the call to say that I had been accepted onto the course. I came home and completed the 10-month course, then returned to Australia.

This time, rather than being based at Flemington where Tony had 40 horses, I was in the main yard in Angaston in South Australia.

I went back as a work rider but after about six months, I started getting extra responsibilities like running the yard on a Sunday, going racing, or helping saddle up.

The following year I was promoted to assistant foreman. I wasn’t in the job all that long when one of the senior foremen left and I inherited that role.

In 2021, Tony McEvoy moved the training business from Angaston to Ballarat in Victoria. His son, Calvin, was also on the licence at that point, having been added in 2019.

I moved to the new yard in Ballarat prior to the transfer, helping co-ordinate the move from that side. I am currently responsibly for a string of 90 horses and 30 staff at the new training facility.

Full of Irish

Ballarat is full of Irish, so I felt at home straight away. I knew Johnny Allen from home, as he had ridden a couple of times for my parents. I didn’t meet Declan Bates before arriving here but have gotten to know him since.

My role as senior foreman includes organising the work list; deciding which riders go with which horse and over what trip.

I also organise the race day and hiring of staff, as well as overseeing the movement of horses throughout the yard, from paddocks et cetera.

I liaise with owners and represent the stable at race meetings as required.

In the booklet for the Godolphin Awards, Tony McEvoy described me as having ‘exceptional leadership qualities and unwavering dedication’. He added: “in charge of 90 horses and 30 staff, a responsibility he handles with skill and expertise, he organises all race day logistics for staff and horses which runs flawlessly’.

While winning the award in my category was fantastic on the night, to read those words from my boss was recognition in itself.

Finn McCarthy was in conversation with John O’Riordan