Paul Bannon is the latest rider to feature in our Next Generation section.
24-year-old Paul was in the winner’s enclosure at Bellurgan Park on Sunday, when he steered the Dermot McLoughlin-trained Victory Gyp to victory in the six-year-old-upwards geldings’ maiden for novice riders.
This was Paul’s first point-to-point winner of the season having also ridden Sassy Diva to victory in a bumper at Wexford last October for Shane Crawley.
Name: Paul Bannon
Age: 24
Area: Skryne, Co. Meath
How did you become involved in racing?
Unlike a lot of the lads, I’m not from a background in horses at all, but a lot of my friends growing up would have had ponies and I suppose that’s where I got the interest to start riding.
I am good friends with Keith Donohue and I used to go to his house when I was a teenager to ride hunters and from there I started hunting with the Ward Union's.
When I was about 16, a friend of mine started to go into Pat Martin's on a Saturday morning and I used to go with him. After a while, Pat gave me a part-time job riding out.
When I finished in school I went to work for the Carberry’s for a while which was a great experience as they had a lot of young horses which definitely helped with my riding starting off.
I am currently working for Gordon Elliot in the mornings where I am based with Joey Elliot in the pre-training yard. In the afternoons I go to Shane Crawley and I also try and get to Skyrne and Lee Valley gallops as often as I can during the week to ride work and school for other trainers.
What's your favourite course?
Oldtown would be my favourite course.
It is my local track, but I think it is a good galloping track that is probably the closest point-to-point course to a racetrack in Ireland.
What was the best day of your racing life?
Riding my first winner at Castletown-Geoghegan aboard Ericus Erici two years ago was a great thrill. I was delighted that it was for Shane Crawley as he is a good friend of mine.
I really enjoyed last Sunday as well. I have ridden a few times for Dermot before and he was good enough to give me the ride.
He is a massive horse and he gave me a lovely spin around.
Do you do any sport outside of racing?
I play football for my local GAA club in Skyrne, so that will keep me busy during the summer. During the winter I enjoy getting to go hunting with the Ward Union’s as much as I can.
Give us a horse to watch out for?
Shane has a nice mare called Sassy Diva who I won a bumper on last autumn. Once the ground dries out a bit she is one to look forward to.
Who’s your biggest influence?
I have always looked up to Paul Carberry when he was riding and Keith has always been a great help to give me advice with my riding since I started.
What is your first racing memory?
My family used to always bring us racing to my local track at Fairyhouse and I remember getting to go to the Irish Grand National every year which was always a great experience as a child.
What improvements would you like to see in point-to-pointing?
There is definitely more novice rider races during the season but I think it would be good if they could include winners races for novice riders rather than just the older maidens.
If you could ride a horse at Punchestown next week, who would you like to be on?
It would have to be Samcro. He is normally Shane McCann’s ride but I got to sit on him once at the start of the season. He is very special and one you would definitely like to be on.
What are your plans for the future?
I hope to continue riding in point-to-points for as long as I can. I enjoy the bloodstock side of the industry so if I could start buying and selling a few that would be my aim.
From the hunting fields with the Ward Union's to the winner's enclosure at Bellurgan Park. This week we find out more about Paul Bannon for our Next Gen Series.
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) April 17, 2018
READ THE FEATURE HERE: https://t.co/WnJunbkTjE#NextGen #Gopointing pic.twitter.com/5rGGvsmY2c
To read about some of our other featured riders this season click on the link below.
