Image © Healy Racing
Name: Aine Connolly
Age: 19
From: Fethard, County Tipperary
How did you get involved with horses?
I grew up around horses and from the time I could walk I was on a pony. Both sides of my family were involved with horses. My dad Jarlath ‘Foxy’ Connolly rode as an amateur and worked for Christy Roche and my mam Annie also rode as an amateur and worked on the Curragh for Paddy Prendergast for many years. My grandfather on my dad’s side, Kevin Connolly, trained pony-racers, while my mum’s father, Michael Cloke, always had pointers and National Hunt horses.
I’m the middle child, I have a younger brother Kevin who is 13 and not interested in horses and an older sister, Ali, who is 23 and it was her partner, five-star event rider Daragh Byrne that actually got me going at eventing.
There were always ponies at home, and I joined the Fethard Pony Club early on, which led to eventing and I was lucky enough to represent Ireland on the Junior Eventing Squad in 2022 and 2023.
I rode a brilliant horse called Castlequarter Rambo until he was retired and then I turned my focus to racing. It was always the career that I wanted to pursue.
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
I can’t remember the very first racehorse I rode, but I started riding out during Transition Year with Mouse Morris. It was one day a week for work experience. I learned a lot riding out there.
The horse I was riding in eventing was actually too keen for me, so mam and dad thought if I got experience riding racehorses that it would help me get stronger.
Where do you work full-time?
My dad actually works in Halley’s and I started to ride out there before school every morning, Josh’s yard is only two minutes from my school and after I completed my Leaving Cert, I went there full-time. That’s really where my racing foundations were built.
I’ve been with Josh for around two years now, I’m there five mornings a week and ride out for Pat Doyle one day a week. I have also spent some time riding out for Andy Slattery.
How did the ride on Lucy Wang come about?
Lucy Wang was originally running on the track, but things didn’t quite click for her last year. The team decided to send her pointing to freshen her up and give her confidence.
The Halley family and Josh have been unbelievable to me. I wouldn’t even have my licence without them. Once they made the call that she was going pointing, they put me up, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.
Were you expecting Lucy Wang to run well?
We hoped she would. James Coffey rode her in Curraghmore and finished second on nice ground, so he had her in great shape for me. The ground at Turtulla was riding very dead, and we weren’t sure how she’d handle it, but she’d been working very well at home. She ran a cracker.
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Can you describe the feeling of riding your first point-to-point winner?
It’s unbelievable. Every day you’re working hard with the hope of riding winners - that’s the dream. To get my first one so early in the season feels amazing.
Were your family there on the day?
Yes. My dad and my grandfather were there, along with my aunt. We kept mam at home… the nerves get to her!
Do you know what the plan is for Lucy Wang now?
That’s for Josh to decide, but hopefully she’ll head for a winners’ race. She’s tough, she stays, and she’s a brilliant jumper, so that would be the plan if everything stays right with her.
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
Definitely. Growing up hearing Mum and Dad’s stories made me want to follow the same path.
The only thing delaying it was my eventing career. I had a brilliant gelding, Castlequarter Rambo, owned by Julia Crowe. When he was retired, it felt like the right time to take out the licence.
Have you had any track rides?
Yes I’ve had two track rides so far in bumpers, both for Josh on a horse called Kaleo Ametsa. Josh has been amazing, giving me opportunities.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
Rachael Blackmore. She’s broken down so many barriers and achieved things we may never see again.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
To be honest, it's probably dad. Josh is also incredible for advice too. He has ridden a lot and he knows the ups and downs, he is always great to sit down with me and look through races.
I'm very lucky in Halley’s. Philip Enright would come in and school and he is great to give advice, and Michael Kenneally as well, he was there last year when I was starting out my career. He was very good to me as well and helped me get rides and stuff. So both of them were a huge help to me, they are only a phone call away if I need them. I'm very fortunate with the support I have.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
I play senior ladies football with Fethard Ladies Football Club, and camogie with St Rita’s. Between that and racing, I don’t have many nights off, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
Just to work as hard as possible, keep improving, tidy up my riding style – there is always homework to be done, and get my name out there and pick up as many rides and as much experience as I can. I don’t mind travelling. I’ll go anywhere to school or to ride and I will take onboard any bits of advice that I can get.
Do you want to add anything else?
A huge thank you to the Halley family, Josh and John, Philip Enright, Mikey Kenneally, and everyone who’s helped me. Julia Crowe and Sue Perry were vital to my career, and especially to Mum and Dad. They drove me around the country eventing, North and South, and even to Rome, and I honestly couldn’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done, I owe them a lot.
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.
