Joanna Walton is one of the only English riders competing between-the-flags in Ireland at the moment. Based with Damian Murphy the 24 year-old has ridden four point-to-point and one winner under rules since relocating to Ireland.
However Walton has also enjoyed plenty of success in her native country, with a tally of over 30 between point-to-point and track winners. While Walton plans to continue travelling over-and-back to the UK to ride, we could be seeing plenty more of her this season as the Hawick native is one of the most experienced lady riders around currently.
Next Generation | Rider
Name: Joanna Walton
Age: 24
Area: From Hawick, The Scottish Borders
Are you from a racing background?
My mum has a few point-to-pointers, so I would have grown up around horses.
How did you become involved in racing?
I had a couple of really nice schoolmasters that got me going and provided me with my first few wins. I then worked for Rose Dobbins for a couple of seasons, while Sandy Foster also gave me plenty of rides.
How did you end up based in Ireland?
I studied Rural Business Management and after I finished I wasn’t sure what to do. I only came over for a weekend to visit Jane Foley, who I met when riding in one of the Arabian Series races in Texas. I quite liked it over here, I thought it was great and I haven’t quite gone home yet, this is my third season in Ireland.
Your based with Damian Murphy now? He has given you plenty of opportunities?
I am based full time with Damian, while Mick Winters has also been very good to me, as he gave me my first ride under rules over here, which was also a winner.
I had a great day on Sunday, it was pretty horrible weather but the last fellow, Breac Again came good, so it was a case of happy days.
Damian has plenty of pre-trainers for Trevor Hemmings and I have been lucky enough to ride a couple of the mares that he left with Damian as well.
You have been going over and back to the UK to ride for the last couple of seasons, will you do the same this year?
I was just really riding for my mum and Sandy so I thought I would be able to continue going over and back when I moved over. It can be a bit difficult at times but it seems to be working so far anyhow, so I will continue doing that this season.
Are you still riding on your English licence?
I have changed over to an Irish licence, I will have to get a licence in the UK then as well to ride over there. Tom Hamilton has been doing something very similar to me, we actually went to college together and graduated at the same time, he went to Joseph O’Brien’s for the summer and I ended up over here as well.
Have you ambitions for this season?
I’m just hoping to keep my head down and ride as many winners as possible. There seems to be more ladies races on the cards, so we will just see how things go.
What is your favourite track to ride at?
There is so many different tracks over here compared to the UK, where as you tend to ride at a lot of the same tracks. I like Dromahane, it is a nice big galloping track.
What has been your best day’s riding?
My favourite ride was probably Glenwood Night, he was my first point-to-point winner over here and it was actually a dead heat. That was a good day, as he was a bit of a legend in the yard.
What are your plans for the future?
I will just see what happens, I am pretty open minded about the whole thing. Just see where things take me.
What improvements would you like to see in point-to-pointing here, is there anything we could learn from the UK?
In the UK, there tends to be both ladies and men’s open on the same card, which helps to create more opportunities for lady riders.
Do you do any sport outside of racing?
I used to love hockey, but I don’t really have much time for it anymore and it’s not that big over here. I would like to have a go at camogie, but I haven’t been brave enough yet!
How about another rider you think might be up-and-coming?
I have been watching Michael O’Sullivan, he seems to be very good and is quite tidy. I think he is one for the future.
Give us a horse to watch out for?
There is a nice mare here called West Vintage, she had two falls last year and has just been unlucky.
Is there a trainer we should be watching out for?
Damian does a very good job, he seems to always have the horses there or there-abouts for their first run and they tend to be on their A-game.
Who has been your biggest influence?
I was always obsessed by Nina Carberry, I got to ride against her in a bumper the summer before last and I was in my element.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
I think just to keep your head down and keep kicking.
Next Generation | Rider - Joanna Walton
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) November 14, 2018
UK native Joanna Walton rode her fourth Irish point-to-point winner aboard Breac Again, in the rain at Dromahane last Sunday. Read the full story behind it all here %u27A1%uFE0Fhttps://t.co/6hFY5g2iNM pic.twitter.com/NnvYoxDdOr
