Patrick McGuigan is our latest novice rider to feature in our next generation section. From Rasharkin in Co.Antrim, twenty-one-year-old Patrick has ridden in fifteen point-to-points to date and enjoyed a successful day at Kirikistown last weekend as he finished third aboard Stornaway in the five-year-old-geldings as well as riding his first point-to-point winner when he steered the Colin McKeever-trained Adamstown to success in the Winners Of Two.
Name: Patrick McGuigan
Age: 21
Town: Rasharkin
How did you become involved in racing?
My grandfather always had horses and used to keep trotting horses. From a young age I developed an interest in horses and started riding ponies as soon as I could walk. I first started riding thoroughbred’s when I was fourteen with Robin Mars. I then started to ride out for Ian Ferguson on the weekends and when I finished in school I went to Philip Rothwell’s for a while.
I then spent three years working for Tony Martin and I also went to Joseph O’Brien’s this summer for some extra experience. Last summer I spent a couple of months riding out in Italy and also rode in a few races over there for Paulo Favro. I finished second in a Listed Cross Country race while I was there.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Keep your mouth closed and your ears open.
What's your favourite course?
I enjoy the new course at Portrush.
What's your favourite sport outside racing?
When I can I hunt with the East Antrim’s and I also do some boxing in my local club in Antrim. I find it is a great way to keep fit for riding.
Thistlecrack or Sizing John?
It would have to be Sizing John. He just keeps getting better and better and definitely has more to come.
Give us a horse to watch out for?
We have some lovely horses in at Colin’s for the season. There are two un-named three-year-olds by Flemensfirth and Milan that are showing us a lot so far.
What was the best day of your racing life?
It would have to be when I won my first point-to-point on Saturday aboard Adamstown for my boss Colin and his owner Wilson Dennison.
Who’s your biggest influence?
Growing up it has always been AP McCoy. Derek O’Connor is always a great help when he comes in to Colin’s for giving advice.
What improvements would you like to see to in point-to-points?
It would be great if they could have more novice rider races in the northern region.
Ambitions For this season?
I would like to try and get as many rides as possible throughout the season.
To read about some of our other featured riders this season click on the link below.
Patrick McGuigan is our latest novice rider to feature in our Next Generation series. Read about Patrick here: https://t.co/9hwbjWw06d pic.twitter.com/jvujk1L1T4
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) November 22, 2017
