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NextGen | Sean Queally

Image © Healy Racing
 
Sean Queally partnered his first winner on only his second point-to-point ride when his grey Pat Coyne battled well in the closing stages to score in the open at Curraghmore.
 
Name: Sean Queally
Age:     19        
From: Coolagh, Dungarvan, County Waterford
 
 
How did you get involved with horses?
 
To be honest, although my dad John Queally is a trainer, I never really took an interest in horses until I was about 12 years old. I got a pony then and gradually moved on to the race horses when I was around 14/15 years old. My dad was very good when I was growing up, he never really pushed me into horses. 
 
 
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
 
The first racehorse I ever sat on was a horse called Isabel’s Gold. She won a point to point at Dromahane on her first start. She’s owned by Eoin Daly who has worked for my dad for about 25 years.
 
 
Where do you work full-time?
 
I finished my Leaving Cert last year and currently I work at home for my dad. I also school for a few people locally such as David and John Kiely. I go into Joseph O’Brien’s on a Sunday to ride out too. Recently I got the opportunity to go into Enda Bolger’s and I got great experience there. 
 

 
 
How did the ride on Pat Coyne come about?
 
A man named John Nicholson owned the horse with a syndicate and they kindly gave him to me so that I could point-to-point him and get some experience under my belt. 

My 23-year-old sister Orla also has an amateur license and she had a few spins on him on the track too. He runs in my mother Miriam’s colours. My first point to point ride happened to be on my 19th birthday when I finished second on him at Castletown Geoghegan.
 
 
Were you expecting Pat Coyne to run well?
 
After finishing second on his first run of the season at Castletown Geoghegan, I knew he was in good form. I was worried about the favourite Lifetime Ambition, he’s a good horse. Let’s just say I was quietly confident that if I didn’t win, that I might have been second to the favourite.
 
 
Did you get some kick out of riding your first point-to-point winner?
 
It was class. Some feeling to get my first winner on my second ride in points. I thought we were beaten in the back straight but the way he battled back for me to get up by half a length on the line, that was some buzz. 

He jumped great for me throughout and I couldn’t believe how well we were travelling, he battled all the way to the line. I am delighted.
 
 
Were your family there on the day?
 
I had amazing support at Curraghmore. My sister Orla was on holidays in Tenerife but my mother and father were there and a huge team of friends were there to support me. It was a day that I won’t forget.
 
 
Do you know what the plan is for Pat Coyne now?
 
Pat Coyne will most likely have one more run in points before the ground goes soft then we’ll put him away for the winter. He needs the good ground.

 
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
 
As I said, I had no real interest when I was younger, and it was during the covid pandemic when I was at home riding a lot and I thought that I might as well give the riding a go. 

I decided that I would take out my license, hopefully get a few spins and go from there. My first ride was on a horse called Goodbye Someday at Leopardstown in June 2023. I’ve had seven rides on the track and now two rides in points.


Who is your biggest influence in racing?
 
Without a doubt my biggest influence has to be my dad John. He was some rider, in fact he still is some rider. At the age of 72 he still rides out every morning. 

He was a two-time champion point-to-point rider and I couldn’t tell you how many winners he has trained. He is a great horseman and I’m lucky that we have a good relationship in the yard. He has taught me everything I know.
 

Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
 
I would turn to my dad or Eoin Daly for advice. We have ten horses riding out at home and Eoin has been around a long time. Himself and my dad are a great team together and there is very little they don’t know. I always take their input on board.
 

 
 
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
 
I play a bit of hurling and football in the evenings and in the summer I like to play some golf. Horses take up most of my time.

 
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
 
I’d love to get more experience and improve on my riding technique, especially my position over a fence. The experience I gained when I was in Enda Bolger’s was invaluable and I hope that I can possibly go back to his yard more regularly to ride out. 

It’s always good to school for as many people as possible and if I can get a few more rides all the better.
 
 
Do you want to add anything else?
 
I want to thank John Nicholson and all of the lads in the syndicate. I am very grateful that they gave me Pat Coyne and they’re all very supportive of me. 
 
 
As a bonus for talented new point-to-point riders who feature in p2p.ie series of NextGen articles, Dungar Quality Oats will sponsor a special draw where one of the riders will win a cash prize of €500.  All NextGen featured jockeys who have ridden their first point-to-point winner will be automatically entered into this draw.  The draw will be conducted and prize winner announced at the end of the point-to-point season. 

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