Image © Healy Racing
The 19-year-old, who was crowned Champion Under-21 Rider in 2023/24 during what was his debut season in the saddle, missed the first half of last term due to injury. Cotter has returned with renewed determination, delivering a stylish length victory aboard the smart-looking Britway Belle.
Trained by Cotter’s boss Denis Murphy, Britway Belle, a daughter of Getaway, hails from a strong National Hunt pedigree. She is out of a mare who also produced the talented Lord Schnitzel, and Sunday’s success was particularly special for Cotter, as the mare is owned and bred by his grandfather, Dan Cotter.
“It was great to ride a winner for my grandfather and to lose my claim too,” said a delighted Cotter, who has now recorded 20 winners between the flags and one victory on the track.
“My grandfather bred Britway Belle and then sent her into training with Denis.”
Under a confident ride, Britway Belle was settled in mid-division before making smooth headway from three out, keeping on strongly in the home straight to win in fine style. She jumped fluently throughout and showed a professional attitude.
“We fancied her strongly,” Cotter revealed. “She was working very well at home. She looked good last year but fell sick, so we left her off. She jumped everywhere, travelled everywhere, and she quickened up well in the straight.”
The victory also marked handler Denis Murphy’s first success of the new campaign, a pleasing result for the Ballyboy operation, which has around 60 horses in training.
Cotter endured a challenging 2024/25 season riding just four winners, which was a sharp contrast to his 15 victories during his debut campaign.
“I missed the entire autumn season of last year with a broken leg, so it was great to get one on the board early this season.
“Last year I found it was very hard to get back on good horses. I rode away, but I wasn’t getting the same calibre of horses to ride.”
Cotter also landed his first track winner back in May, aboard Bartlemy Boy in a Killarney Hunter Chase, for his friend’s father, Trixie Barry, and he’s eager to build on that momentum with further opportunities under rules.
“I’ve only had around 20 track rides so far, so it would be nice to pick up a few more.”
Cotter’s parents are a big support and cover the length and breadth of the country to watch him ride every weekend, whilst Cotter also credits Murphy for his support.
“In fairness, Denis has been very good to me, and with Jack Hendrick out injured at present, I’ll hopefully get to ride the majority of Denis’ horses now.”
When asked about emerging talent in the pointing field, Cotter recommends fellow Ballyboy rider Shane Kehoe.
“Shane Kehoe looks set to be a good rider coming up, he’s based with me and I think he’ll be one to watch.”
Cotter doesn’t want to set targets too early and prefers to let the season unfold.
“I’ll aim to ride as many winners as I can,” he explained. “I don’t like to set goals, but if I’m doing well halfway through the season, I’d love to have another go at winning the under-21 title again.”
Britway Belle is likely to be sold following her impressive debut, but Cotter remains upbeat about the rest of the yard’s prospects going forward.
“We have a lovely bunch of horses in the yard and one that I like is a nice four-year-old by Maxios, I don’t know her name yet, but she looks one to keep an eye on.”
After an injury-plagued 2024/25 season, Cotter’s success at Loughrea marked a return to form, and a reminder of the promise he showed throughout his debut season.
