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Mark O'Hare still riding winners in his fourth decade riding

Mark O'Hare won aboard the George Stewart-trained Ringneill at Farmaclaffley on Saturday, meaning that the Co. Down rider has rode a winner in four decades.

The only rider to complete this in more recent years was Liam Lennon, who is now in the training  ranks.
 
"It was great. It was a nice buzz, Liam Lennon did it before and I said if Liam can do it, I can do it!"
 
O'Hare has known George Stewart for many years, he used ride out for the Co. Down handler when he was young, and Stewart has provided O'Hare with a number of winners down through the years.
 
"George's yard is just about 15 minutes away from me, and over the years I rode for George when I was young. I rode a few winners for him over the years, and if he had one ready to run, he would give me a call."
 
Mark also rode Honeysuckle to win her point-to-point at Dromahane back in 2018 for handler and long time friend of O'Hare's, Jerry Cosgrave.
 
O'Hare acquired her at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale 2017 for just €9,500 which proved to be a bargain buy when she subsequently changed hands for €110,000 the following April at the Goffs Punchestown Sale.
 
"Jerry is a native of Banbridge, the same as myself. I've been going to Jerry for years, shoeing his horses and riding his point-to-pointers.
 
"It's great, I still have two horses in with Jerry at the moment, I go into him every morning and ride them out before going on to do my days work.
 
Mark has also built a great relationship with Co. Meath trainer Noel Meade, riding multiple winners for Meade over the years, particularly in the last decade.
 
"I go down to Noel's one morning a week."
 
O'Hare is a farrier by trade, and is kept busy on a constant basis. O'Hare tries to juggle everything and find that perfect work-life balance.
 
"I don't really have time to ride out for anyone else, as shoeing is my main trade, trying to get that done and my own horses. I have a few young daughters as well, and I try to make as much time for them as I can."
 

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