Name: Abbie Fitzgibbon
From: Charlerville, Co. Cork
First Winner: Rebel Pat
How did you get started with horses?
My Uncle, Nelius O’Keefe always had a couple of horses at home. He only lived a field away from me and he got me into riding doing a bit of show jumping and cross country and anything that involved being with horses.
When I was about fifteen my friend was going into Mick Winters for the midterm and asked me to go with her one day, so I did and loved it so I and stayed going in part time until I finished school and then I went full time, so I have been there for five seasons now.
What is your first racing memory?
I got to ride in the ladies derby in Dingle a few years back for Alex Ott, I didn’t place but none the less I loved every second of it and knew then that I wanted to ride and went and got my license after that.
How did the ride on Rebel Pat come about?
I rode him in the same race last year and he slipped up turning for home and unfortunately, I broke my collar bone which put me on the side-lines for a while. I then rode him in a bumper last September where he finished mid division and he picked up a small injury which set him back slightly.
Then we got him back right and ready to run in the new year and his owners were happy for me to keep the ride on him which, I was very grateful for, and it ended up working out perfectly giving me my first point-to-point winner.
Are your family involved in racing?
My uncle started off with half-bred horses and then he got an interest in the racing and started breeding a few thoroughbreds and owning a few, I rode my first winner on the track for him in June 2022 on a horse trained by Mick (Winters) called Dark Spark.
My parents would be more into Hurling than racing, but my father would take an interest with my uncles horses and since I have started riding he comes racing to watch me and he was in Kildorrery when I won on Rebel Pat and so was my uncle Nelius, they are both a great support to me and come and watch me ride when ever they can.
What is the best horse you have ever ridden?
I’ve been lucky enough to ride a lot of nice horses in Micks. Dark Spark would be the outstanding one for me and Safe Golden was a lovely filly too.
My uncle bought a mare last year who is a half sister to Dark Spark, she’s by Mount Nelson so hopefully everything going well she should run next winter, I will be excited to see what she does.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
I would like to try and get more winners and a more outside rides, David Christie has been very good to me, giving me loads of opportunities and I would love to ride a winner for him.
The ladies’ races throughout the year are a great incentive and having two winners under my belt now I might get a bit more recognition for opportunities on the track.
Would you ever like to turn conditional?
I am light enough to turn conditional but I will stay riding pointing for now and gain as much experience as I can and if the right opportunity came in the future I could consider it then.
Who would be your biggest influence in racing?
I was very inspired when Rachael Blackmore started making all the big headlines and seeing Aine O’Connor, Maxine O’Sullivan and Jody Townend all excelling in their careers really influenced me.
I would look up to Mick and David Christie also, they have been a great support in getting me going with rides as well as my uncle Nelius who got me on and around horses for the first time, so I have a lot to thank them all for and am extremely grateful for every opportunity they give me.
Do you have any alternative interests?
My brother, Darragh Fitzgibbon plays for the Cork senior hurlers so I would follow and support him, but the horses are definitely the main interest for me.
