NextGen | Ella Shanahan

 

 

None of my family were horsey at all, so it really started with pony lessons. My next-door neighbour has a riding school, Clarina Equestrian Centre, and I started lessons there when I was four.

I got my own pony when I was 13 and did Pony Club, a bit of hunting, showjumping and everything like that. Horses have just always been part of my life from then on.

 

Growing up, I hunted with the Stonehall Harriers, which is my local hunt.

 
 

 

It wasn’t until I finished my Leaving Cert four years ago. I had absolutely no experience with racehorses at all before that. I went down to Enda’s during my gap year and that really changed everything. One year turned into two, then three, and here we are now.
 

 

 

I actually didn’t know where to start, so I got in touch with Aine O’Connor. I had a Zoom call with her and she told me straight out that there was only one place for me to go and that Enda was the best man to teach me.

Aine put me in touch with Enda and got me his number, so I’ve a lot to thank her for. Enda has been unbelievably good to me. He taught me everything from scratch and gave me so many opportunities. He’s been everything to me in racing.
 

 

 

I do, it was Birchdale, and that was down in Enda’s. I’d never sat on a racehorse, never schooled one, never even cantered one before.
 

 

 

Very memorable. I rang Enda on a Tuesday and he told me to come down on the Thursday. That first day he really put me to the test. I rode about six lots, schooled over hurdles and in the sand arena, and I’d never done anything like it before.

He does it with everyone, partly to test your ability and your bottle, and partly for his own entertainment, I think. My legs were completely non-functioning for about a week afterwards.
 

 

 

I did, It really is a whole other world when you go in through the gates. Everything is immaculate and the facilities are fascinating.

At the time, my mam was working in Adare Manor and, through her HR role, she had contacts with the lads in Martinstown and put in a word for me. That’s how I ended up spending a few weeks there after finishing my Leaving Cert, it was great to see that side of racing as well.

 
 

 

I spent about four months working for Matty Flynn O’Connor in Wexford a couple of years ago. It was brilliant experience and great fun. You really see point-to-point racing at the heart of it down there, and they were all so welcoming. I learned a lot and had great craic as well.
 

 

 

I’m actually balancing college and work. After my Leaving Cert I went down to Enda’s during my gap year, which turned into three years, and it was only last September that I started college.
 

I’m in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick studying a Bachelor of Arts degree. I work on my days off, and if I have college in the afternoon, I’ll work that morning. I love working and it’s a good break from the books as well.

 

 

 

 

 

It was always something I wanted to do, but riding in the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund Charity race last May really gave me the bug.

I rode Pride Of Place for JP and finished 14th, but just coming back into the parade ring afterwards I said to Enda, “That’s it, I’ve caught the bug, I’m riding in point-to-points.” That was the moment I decided to do it. My poor mam didn’t know where to look.

 
 

 

I’d only taken my licence out around Christmas and Enda had been telling me for the last year to do it. He said In Excelsis Deo would be a lovely, safe spin and that he’d teach me plenty. It was only in the last few weeks that Enda said I could ride him at Cragmore, and that was the plan all along.
 

 

 

Not at all. He’d finished seventh at Ballindenisk a couple of weeks earlier, but all I was thinking about was getting a clear round and getting the experience. I’d never schooled or raced in a big bunch of horses before. Running well never crossed my mind.

 
 

 

They definitely were when I walked the track. The fences weren’t small. When I saw there were only three runners declared, I actually felt better about that than going out in a big field on my first ride. When I realised Derek O’Connor and Ross Sugrue were riding, I knew they’d mind me, and that helped a lot.
 

 

 

It was surreal. We bypassed a couple of fences because of the low sun, and I just kept shoving and riding away. I genuinely thought Derek would beat me and I was fine with that. When I heard over the microphone that I was actually in front, I couldn’t believe it. It’s the kind of thing you dream about, and for it to actually happen was insane.

 
 

 

It was massive. He was talking to me the whole way around, telling me I was jumping well and to keep doing what I was doing. Just hearing him beside me settled my nerves completely.

You don’t even think about who you’re riding against, you’re just focused on getting around safely, but I really appreciated the help he gave me. Derek gave me a big pat on the back after crossing the line.

 
 

 

Yeah, it’s only about 20 minutes from home. My mam Deirdre and dad Ed were there, my auntie, and loads of the lads from the yard. When I came back into the parade ring and saw everyone there cheering and clapping, it was lovely.
 

 

 

I went down to the Corner House Bar in Athlacca, had a Club Orange and went home after two hours because I was exhausted. Proper celebrations can wait until next weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not really sure, that’s up to Enda, but I’d absolutely love to ride him again. I think the nerves would be a lot less the second time.
 

 

 

There are so many people, but Enda would obviously be a huge influence. When I was younger, I always looked up to Nina Carberry – she was just unreal. Riders like Rachael Blackmore have been a massive inspiration too, and Aine O’Connor has helped me so much to get to where I am now. She’s always been at the end of the phone for me.

 

I really look up to the lady riders in particular, and Maxine O’Sullivan would be another big influence. Whenever you see them at point-to-points, they’ll always say hello or help you if you have any questions. I think it can be harder for girls to get rides, especially when you’re starting out and don’t have much under your belt, so I have huge respect for riders like Nina, Rachael, Maxine and Aine. They’re so inspiring.

 
 

 

Darragh O’Keeffe would come in whenever he can, maybe once every couple of weeks or once a month. He’s great because he’s so down to earth and he’s been there since I started. If you have any questions, he’s always there to help, and even just watching him ride around the gallops, you learn so much. He’ll explain anything you ask him and has been a great person to turn to for advice.

 

Obviously, you also have Enda and the other lads who come into the yard. We have plenty of conditional jockeys and a few other amateurs, and everyone is very supportive. If you ask a question, you’ll get a straight answer, and we all want to see each other do well. It’s a great environment to be part of.

 
 

 

Early Doors, definitely. He retired just before last summer. Derek rode him a lot in point-to-points and hunter chases, and that’s how I got to know Derek.

 
 

 

It was, and I’d love to mention Paul [Kavanagh]. It’s still really tough to talk about. We all saw Paul every day and, in Howardstown, there aren’t many of us, so we’re like a small family. We’d worked with him for the last two years and, in a way, we all grew up together.

To lose someone you see every day, work with and laugh with, and to lose him so suddenly and so tragically, was heartbreaking. I know I speak for everyone in the yard when I say there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t think of him. We all miss him a lot. It would be nice to think that he was looking down on us on Sunday.

 
 

 

No, I’ve really dedicated my whole life to horses and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I caught the bug at a young age and it’s been my whole life ever since, really, from as far back as I can remember.

 
 

 

I’d love to get another few rides, keep learning and keep improving. That buzz you get going around a point-to-point is hard to beat, and I just want more experience and to see where it takes me.

 
 

 

I obviously have Enda to thank for everything. He’s been incredibly good to me and has had a lot of patience with me when he didn’t have to. He’s put a huge amount of time into me and, if Enda sees something in you, he’ll really push you to get the best out of you. I honestly owe everything to him.

Himself and Shanny have been so good to me, always supporting me and giving me opportunities. Everyone in the yard has been great as well, coming up and supporting me on the day. My mam and dad have always supported my mad ideas too, even if they probably didn’t want to see me heading out on a point-to-point. Whatever I’ve wanted to do, my family have always backed me, and I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve had.