Simon Cavanagh is the latest rider to feature in our Next Generation section.
25-year-old Simon was in the winner’s enclosure at Taylorstown on Saturday, when he steered the Brian Dougan-trained Spud’s Trouble to victory in the winner of one.
Simon has now ridden three point-to-point winners this season which brings his career tally to 14 to date and has also secured three winners on the track.
Name: Simon Cavanagh
Age: 25
Area: Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
How did you become involved in racing?
I was lucky that I grew up around horses as my parents always had horses in training as well as some broodmares.
I rode as child and did a good bit of show jumping as well as being a member of my local pony club branch.
When I was about 12 I started to go to Dot Love’s yard at the weekends and worked with Ciaran Murphy with breakers and young horses which thought me a lot.
During transition year in school I went to RACE and then went back to do my leaving certificate. During my school years I also worked with John Joe Walsh who I had my first ride for at Knockanard.
When I finished school I went to Kildalton College and qualified as a riding instructor. I then went to France for six months and worked for Con Marnane with breeze up horse’s which I really enjoyed.
I spent a year with Joseph O’Brien and since September I have been based in Wexford with Denis Murphy.
What's your favourite course?
Tinahely has been a very lucky course for me as I have ridden four winners there so far.
My local track at Castletown-Geoghegan is also one of my favourite spots to ride at. I was delighted to get a winner there in April aboard Arctic Road for my current boss.
What was the best day of your racing life?
Riding my first track winner at Clonmel in the hunters chase aboard Jack Aboo was very special as my dad also owned and bred him.
Do you do any sport outside of racing?
I try and do some running during the week and also go to the gym when I can to help with my fitness.
Do you own any horses of your own?
I have a horse called Newsworthy who I own with Dad. I bought him last year to go point-to-pointing with but then decided to run him on the track. He won his beginners chase at my local track, Kilbeggan last summer.
I also own a 2yo filly with my two brothers and my mum who is in training with Sabrina Harty.
Give us a horse to watch out for?
Dad has a nice mare called Maliboo who was second at Lisronagh last week and will hopefully go one better before the end of the season. We also have a nice bunch of three and four-year-olds to hopefully run next season.
Who’s your biggest influence?
My parents have always helped and pushed me with my riding. Davy Russell and Jamie Codd are two riders I would look up to for advice with riding.
What is your first racing memory?
My dad had a nice four-year-old winner called Another Aboo who won at Oldcastle. The year before at Oldcastle Dad also won with a nice mare called Aboo Who who went onto to win the hunters chase at Thurles for Sneezy Foster.
What are your plans for the future?
I would like continue riding in point-to-points for as long as I can and hopefully start training a few then. I am hoping to buy one or two at the sales this summer to have to run next season.
To read about some of our other featured riders this season click on the link below.
www.p2p.ie/content.php
Simon Cavanagh was in the winner’s enclosure at Taylorstown on Saturday, when he steered the Brian Dougan-trained Spud’s Trouble to victory in the winner of one. The 25-year-old is this weeks featured rider in the Next Generation Series.
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) May 1, 2018
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