Image © Healy Racing
Cork native, Finny Maguire, has long balanced a busy schedule between the track and the point-to-point fields, but his form so far this autumn suggests he’s relishing the chance to play an even more active role between the flags.
The son of Gold Cup-winning jockey Adrian Maguire, initiated a Damma House brace last weekend in the opening four-year-old maiden, where he guided Valtteri Its James to victory for trainer Robert Tector and owner Aidan Byrne.
The Poet’s Word gelding travelled strongly throughout and, despite being overlooked by many in the market, came home an impressive eight-length winner.
The Poet’s Word gelding travelled strongly throughout and, despite being overlooked by many in the market, came home an impressive eight-length winner.
“It was actually a spare ride,” Maguire explained. “I was meant to be on a four-year-old for Jonathan Fogarty, but they rang on Saturday to say he wasn’t running.
“I got a text on Sunday morning from the owner Aidan Byrne asking if I had a ride, and when I said no, he asked if I’d ride his horse.
“Jamie Scallan had ridden him previously, but they were hoping that the race would divide.
“Aidan was very confident beforehand, and he was proved right. The horse put up a really good performance. It was brilliant to get the spare.”
Maguire completed his double aboard the Martin Brassil-trained Desertmore House in the open, where the 2023 Kerry National winner showed all his class and tenacity to prevail by three-quarters of a length in a thrilling finish.
“I actually schooled him the Tuesday before and Martin said he’d improve for the run, and was mainly hoping he’d finish in the first three to qualify for hunter chases.
“But I thought, based on his track ratings, he had a great chance of winning. He’s such a good jumper, he’s a pleasure to ride really. I asked him for a big one at the second last, but he was cleverer than me and got in tight. In a way, that helped as it sharpened him up for the battle down to the last. He’s just an absolute pro.”
The success has opened up options for the ten-year-old veteran.
“I think he’ll go back to Punchestown for the Risk Of Thunder banks race in a few weeks’ time. He could mix hunter chases with a few more point-to-points, as he’s classy enough to do both.”
Maguire, who has been based with Barry Connell in Nurney for the past three years, has amassed almost 100 winners on the track, including Grade 2 success at the 2019 Dublin Racing Festival on Santa Rossa and back-to-back QR Handicap victories at Galway in 2020 and 2021. Despite his achievements under rules, his enthusiasm for the pointing sphere is evident.
“I’m with Barry Connell every morning from Monday to Saturday in Kildare, which is great because I finish early enough to meet other trainers at the Curragh for schooling or to ride bits of work.
"It means I can keep connections up with other trainers too. I school for people like Martin Brassil, James Hannon, Johnny Fogarty and the Doyles. I’ll ride for anyone that wants me really.”
"It means I can keep connections up with other trainers too. I school for people like Martin Brassil, James Hannon, Johnny Fogarty and the Doyles. I’ll ride for anyone that wants me really.”
While Maguire, who has 24 point-to-point winners under his belt, has long been one of the leading amateurs in the weighing room, he admits that turning conditional is something he’s considered.
“It’s something I thought about over the last couple of years.
“Earlier in my career, I probably would have loved to do it, but I was actually heavier then than I am now.
“I’m quite happy riding as an amateur if I can keep getting the opportunities. It’s tough as a professional unless you’ve a big yard behind you, so if I can keep doing well as an amateur, I’m happy to stay that way.”
Asked whether he’s making a conscious effort to ride more between the flags this season, Maguire explained that it came about naturally.
“It’s not really a plan, I’ve just got the opportunities. I had a couple of winners late last season for the Fogartys when Barry Stone got injured, and unfortunately Barry is sidelined again, so I’ve been lucky enough to get a few spins.
“I’m happy to ride good horses wherever they are, whether that’s in bumpers, hunter chases or point-to-points. Wherever the good horses are, that’s where I want to be.”
A graduate of the pony racing circuit, Maguire rode his first winner under rules at just 16, when partnering Mm Dazzler, trained by his father Adrian, to victory at Listowel in 2014. His first point-to-point success followed a year later at Dromahane aboard Seventh Sign.
“My dad’s been a massive influence.
“He’s coached me from day one. I actually wasn’t that interested in riding early on. I was more into GAA until I was about 12. Then I got into pony racing, and he helped me get started. I know how lucky I am to have someone like him in my corner.”
The 27-year-old has already matched last season’s total of three point-to-point winners during the opening weeks of this campaign.
“Usually I’m quiet enough in the autumn because there aren’t that many meetings on,” he said. “But the way things have fallen this year, I’ve had a few nice rides early on, and I’m delighted with the start.”
As for the season ahead, Maguire’s aim is uncomplicated: to stay busy, keep getting good rides, and ride as many winners as he can, whether on the track or between the flags.
As for the season ahead, Maguire’s aim is uncomplicated: to stay busy, keep getting good rides, and ride as many winners as he can, whether on the track or between the flags.
