RIDING my first winner at Galway on Monday night gave me a right old buzz.

I had 30 winners in 2023 and that’s 13 for this year so far, but having a televised winner at Galway is probably the biggest thrill yet. I was suspended for most of the week last year so I was delighted to get one on the board there.

I’m from Oldtown in North Co Dublin. My Dad Kieran Ryan had the odd point-to-pointer but is better known for showing horses. He would be a regular competitor at the Dublin Horse Show.

My Mum Mairead (née Curran) represented Ireland in eventing at the Barcelona Olympics, and my twin brother Ivan has an amateur licence.

Conor Maxwell kept horses in our place and that’s how I started on thoroughbreds. I’m apprenticed to Tom McCourt in Stamullen, Co Meath (20 minutes from Oldtown), and it was Tom who got me into Ger Lyons’ yard one day a week. I’ve learned a lot riding alongside Colin Keane, Gary Carroll and Mark Enright.

I’m 19 years of age, 5ft 11in, and I can claim 5lb off 8st 9lb. I eat little amounts during the day but I’m lucky enough with my weight. I keep busy riding out for Jack Davison and Conor Maxwell as well.

Jack trains Artful Approach, my Monday winner.

He’s a consistent horse who was due his day in the sun.

We had a lovely draw and he settled well. I got a bit boxed in around the bend but that worked out well and gave me something to aim at up the hill.

Things are going very well at the moment. I’m third in the apprentice championship and a Galway winner won’t do any harm in getting me noticed.