Name: Kate Derwin
Age: 20
From: Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Kate Derwin is the latest rider to record their first pointing success when she guided Ballycurrane Boy to take the finale at Lingstown by a wide margin in what is still only her first season pointing.
From a family well-known within show jumping circles, her switch to point-to-pointing follows a very successful under-age career representing Ireland in the show jumping arena.
How did you get started with horses?
I originally come from a show jumping background, I won five European medals show jumping at under-18 level. I have travelled all over the world with the Irish team and it was a brilliant experience.
My family have always had racehorses, both my Dad and my uncle had a licence and I have always had a love for racing.
I felt that I had gone as a far as I could at the under-age level show jumping and I did want to go into the senior ranks, but at the time racing was just shining bright and show jumping dimming out, so I took the racing route and to be honest I have not looked back.
Where did you go to get started in racing?
During my mid-term last February or March I did a week with Edward O’Grady and then I went back to school for my Leaving Cert and took it upon myself to go racing when that was finished.
I went to Joseph O’Brien’s and did six months there. It was such a beneficial time. Everyone was so great to work with, even Joseph as a boss was so approachable. Anything that I wanted to ask him about how to improve he never had any problem giving me advice.
And obviously you are riding the best of horses there to be able to improve on. It was genuinely one of the best jobs I have had.
The more experience I got, then I ended up getting my licence and Mr O’Grady came in contact with me and asked would I go and ride out there so I have been two months with him.
Sunday was obviously particularly special to get that first winner, were your family there for the day?
Yes, my Dad and my Granny were there and it was actually the first day that my younger brother was able to come and see me ride. Unfortunately he had broken his collarbone out hunting, so he had the time to come down too.
Once I had trotted in after the race my Dad was crying – the last time that I saw him cry was when I won by last gold medal!
He won by such a wide margin, were you expecting that?
Eugene (O’Sullivan) had said to take it in your stride and Maxine (O’Sullivan) was very helpful too. She told me to keep wide with him as he can be a bit horse shy sometimes, but he is absolutely straight as a dye.
I did exactly as I was told and in fairness the horse just kept travelling. If he had finished third or fourth I would have been absolutely over the moon with him but he stood above my expectations altogether.
And Ballycurane Boy, is he a horse that you have now bought from Eugene O’Sullivan?
Yes, he is now part of the Derwin clan, we bought him about five days before Lingstown.
I had been down in Eugene’s and ridden him a good bit in work and once Eugene had approached me to say that he was for sale it wasn’t even a stutter for me, I knew he was the horse for me.
He is going to be trained at Johnny Cummins’ yard now. Johnny has another mare belonging to me, Maybe Its Time, that I have for point-to-pointing. I work for Edward O’Grady and Johnny’s yard is only five minutes from there so it is very handy to have them there.
Mr O’Grady has said that he has no problem with me also using his gallop - everyone is really behind me which has been great.
Maybe Its Time is entered this weekend in Borris House and Ballycurrane Boy will hopefully run in a winners-of-one race at Dromahane after Christmas.
Who would be your biggest influence getting into racing?
To be fair I was encouraged by my whole family even though I was leaving such a big career behind me, but the one person that I would say inspired me to try and become a good female jockey would be Rachael Blackmore.
I know she doesn’t define herself as a female jockey or differentiate herself from the male jockeys, but seeing how hard she works, and her drive has really driven me to put my best foot forward and go with what I want to do.
I know she was injured for a long time but she bounced back with a bang and she doesn’t come back half hearted or half fit, she would inspire any young person to go forward in the sport.
Is there any other young rider that you think people should watch out for?
Michael O’Sullivan really stands out to me. Obviously I ride out a little for Eugene and I think he is just so natural at what he does, and then at the bottom of it all he is a genuine and honest lad that would help you in any way that he could.
Have you any ambitions for the season?
I would like to ride a track winner maybe next summer. I think I am a little inexperienced to be aiming for something like the ladies title or the novice-rider’s title, but in time to come they are things that I would like to aim for.
