Name: Sean Stafford
Age: 17
From: Moycullen, Galway
It was dream start for Sean Stafford’s racing career, as on his very first ride, he guided Rose Of Kalanisi to victory carrying the colours of his grandfather Thomas Stafford.
How did you get involved with horses?
My Dads side of the family would be heavily involved with horses, my uncles Paul and Colm would have ridden for Dreapers. My Grandad has always being involved with them, he is a big horse man, so it’s a family affair really and my Uncle James is a farrier.
My Dad actually never rode horses but he has always had an interest and has owned a few horses in the past.
I started off doing a bit of show jumping and hunting, I hunted with the Fingal Harriers and Ward Union.
It only really started for me during the first lockdown when I moved up to Pauls, and just got going then.
Did you always want to take out your Qualified Riders License?
It has always been something that was on my mind, I only just got my licence a couple of weeks ago.
Who are you currently working or riding out for?
I ride out for Paul most weekends, I try to get up to him three weekends out of the month. Then I come and stay with him on my school holidays.
Do you ride out for anyone else?
I ride out for his neighbours then also James and Paddy Griffin, I do plenty of schooling for them and ride out on the beach.
I also spent last summer with Rebecca Menzies, just to sharpen and tidy me up. I rode plenty of flat horses over there she was very good to me.
How did you come about going to Rebecca Menzies?
Again through my neighbours James Griffin, he would be good friends with Rebecca and he recommended that I go over there for the summer. It was a great experience I really enjoyed it.
Hopefully I get to return there again this summer, it was great to work in a bigger yard as Paul, James and Paddy would only have a handful of horses.
You must have been delighted to get your first winner on the board, especially to do it in the colours of your grandad?
It was great to get my first winner in the colours of my Grandad, he got a right kick out of it. It was a great day, all of my uncles were there along with my dad and my Grandad on my mums side.
My Grandad couldn’t make it but he was the first one on the phone!
What are the plans for Rose Of Kalanisi?
I think the plan is for her to return to the track. Maybe they might let me ride her, we’ll see!
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
My uncle Paul and my Grandad, they have been very good to me and they are the ones that got me going.
Paul is great and is a good coach.
Have you any ambitions for next season?
Just to get my name out there and hopefully pick up a few outside rides and keep working away.
Any up and coming jockey that you think we should be an eye out for?
A good friend of mine Ivan Ryan actually rode his first winner on Sunday also. I used his simulator a good bit, he has been very good to me.
Have you any interests outside of racing?
I’m in final year at school but I play a bit of handball for my local club at Moycullen, we train twice a week.
Any plans for when your finished school?
I am quite tall, so I’d like to do a trade and keep the point-to-pointing as a side line and see how it goes. Hopefully it might take off!
