NextGen | Caitlin Grant

Name: Caitlin Grant

Age:   17

From: Kilmacow, County Kilkenny

 

Horses were always part of our lives growing up. My dad’s father, Pat Grant, rode as a jockey, and after he passed away Dad was given a mare, so I was around horses from a very young age. Dad showed me the ropes with her and I just fell in love with it.

 

Dad has always had horses with David O’Brien through the Fastey For Fun Syndicate, so we were constantly going to the yard and racing. Jessica and I tried different sports when we were younger. She chose violin lessons and I chose horse riding lessons, but then she ended up coming with me anyway. We’ve been at it ever since.

 

 

It was a mare called Grinn, owned by my dad and my uncle Martin. She was the quietest horse in the yard at the time, and she was the first proper racehorse both Jessica and I sat on.

 

 

Yes, I did plenty of pony racing. I never rode any winners, but the experience was massive for me. To be honest, the ponies I rode were often left at the start, but everyone involved in pony racing was there to help you.

 

Ray Sugrue was a huge help to me, as was the late Mikey O’Connor, and Sean Kinsella was always very good to us as well. Even without winners, it taught me a lot and really helped me progress.

 

 

School was never really for me, to be honest. I stayed on until after fourth year, but I always knew I wanted to work with horses. I was never disobedient or anything, but I just wouldn’t really be there listening - I’d be sitting at the back thinking about horses!

 

When I wanted to leave, my parents were fully supportive. Even my vice-principal said they were making the right decision, because I was just wasting my time in school. Once I got the chance to go working full-time in a yard, that was all I wanted to do.

 

 

I work full-time in Colin Bowe’s. I started there in October 2023 and I’ve been there ever since. Colin has been very good to me and has taught me a huge amount.

 

 

Yes, I’ve been very lucky. I spent a lot of time with David O’Brien, who showed us absolutely everything. He was the best coach you could ask for and taught us how to handle all sorts of situations.

 

I also did work experience in a few different yards while I was still in school, including Paul Nolan’s, before going back to David’s. Last summer, Colin sent me to England, where I worked in Richard Fahey’s and stayed with Lois Teal. I also rode out for her brother Jack Teal, who trains point-to-pointers. Riding out there taught me a lot, especially about holding flat horses, and it was a great experience.

 

 

We bought him for me to ride.

 

Occupational Force went to the sales but didn’t pass the vet. I had been riding him out at home and really liked him, so I mentioned it to the lads. Barry O’Neill spoke to Colin, Colin spoke to the owners, and they agreed to let us buy him.

 

He’s a brilliant jumper, and Conor Blake helped school him regularly. I finished second on him on my first ride at Tinahely in November, and I knew then that I had a good horse and that he’d win for me.

 

 

 

 

 

I knew I had a good horse, but I wasn’t fully sure how things would pan out, especially with the ground.

I just tried to keep him on the best ground wherever I could and followed the advice I was given by Brendan Walsh, David and the lads.

 

Coming to the last, I realised I’d gone clear, and once I saw daylight I just focused on getting him safely over the final fence. When I crossed the line, it all hit me at once.

 

 

Honestly, it was better than Christmas! I’ve played Camogie at a high level and even reached an All-Ireland final, but nothing compares to that feeling. There’s nothing that will ever beat it.

 

 

Yes, everyone was there, my mum, dad and Jessica were all there. My brother Patrick stayed at home, he had no interest!

 

Mam and Jessica have driven me all around the country for rides, especially before I had my licence, so it meant a lot to have them there on the day. We went to the local pub afterwards with my nanny and family, and it was lovely to celebrate together.

 

 

Oh yes - definitely!  She’d always be reminding me that she had a winner! We’d be walking horses up the road and she’d say, “leave the winner go first” and try to bring her horse ahead of mine. I’m just delighted now that I’ve got a winner as well!

 

 

If he’s still in good form, the plan is to run him in a winner-of-one at Nenagh. Hopefully Jessica won’t be riding against me, but we’ll see!

 

 

I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to be anything else. Watching Sean Flanagan when we were younger had a huge influence on me. Sean rode a lot for my father and he always had time for us and was very good to us.

 

Dad never got the chance to ride himself, so he always wanted to make sure we did.

 

 

 

 

Sean Flanagan would be a big one, and obviously Barry O’Neill as well. I also grew up watching Ruby Walsh, who was just unbelievable.

 

 

I’d mainly go to David O’Brien or Craig Casey. Craig has done a huge amount for me and really showed me the ropes. There’s also great support in the yard from the lads, which makes a big difference.

 

 

I got a good slagging from the lads and when I went in on Monday morning I got buried in the ring, which brought me back down to earth fairly quickly! That’s racing for you.

 

 

I play Camogie and represented Kilkenny in the Under-17 All-Ireland final last summer. I still play with the club, but I had to miss trials recently as David wouldn’t let me go because he thought I might get hurt and said there was a winner in Occupational Force!

 

 

I just want to ride as much as I can, hopefully pick up a few outside rides, and keep learning. Riding in Colin Bowe’s colours would be a dream come true.