Name: Patrick W Gleeson
Age: 23
From: Knocklong, Co. Limerick
First Winner: Daicheadacuig
From a family steeped in racing, it was no surprise that Patrick was next to jump in the saddle. Patrick spent much of his youth around horses show jumping, hunting and riding his uncle’s point-to-pointers.
He then decided to take his license out in December of 2022 and after riding a winner on just his ninth race ride ever, it looks like this Next Generation rider is one to watch out for.
Are you from a horsey/racing background?
Most of my family are involved in racing, my father was a jockey, my two uncles were jockeys and my cousin – Billy Gleeson is a jockey so I’ve probably been riding horses since before I could walk.
When I was seven or eight, I joined the pony club and did plenty of show jumping and hunting over the years. When I was about twelve, I started riding out a few point-to-pointers for my uncle John [Gleeson] he trains in Knockainey, and I was doing plenty of schooling and riding out for him, so I have been at it from an early age.
I tried my hand at show jumping when I was eighteen but then I went back to riding-out racehorses, I was riding for lots of different local trainers and I got the bug for it so it was from there I decided to go and take out my license, I would have been kicking myself if I never gave it a go!
Who are you primarily based with now?
I am in my final year of College, I am studying Food Science in Limerick, but I go into Aidan O’Brien for one lot every morning and then after college, I ride out for a few different local trainers such as Pat O’Donnell, John Gleeson, Brian Mortell and whoever else needs me for working or schooling horses. It will be good to get college finished soon so I can focus fully on riding and try and get as many rides and as many winners as I can.
Where would you like to base yourself when you finish your studies?
Brian has been very good to me; he gave me my first ride on the track so it was great to ride my first winner for him and I am very thankful to him for it.
My uncle John has given me plenty of opportunities as well so there are a few options, I would be happy to just be riding as many horses for as many people as possible really.
Tell us a bit more about Daicheadacuig?
I placed sixth on him previously in Comea in the Open and he ran very well he can idle a bit and sometimes be a bit lazy, but it was great to get the feel of him the first day, I did fancy my chances going to Rathcannon he travels and jumps very well so I was quietly confident. I am not sure what Brian’s plan is with him going forward but he could potentially go for a Hunters Chase at the end of the season.
How did you come about riding for Brian?
Brian is a good friend of the family but when I was riding out for Pat O’Donnell and Pat’s gallop froze, we went down to use Brian’s gallop as he has an All-Weather Circuit and he asked if could ride out for him some days in which I was more than happy to do.
Were any of your family there on the day?
Yeah, both of my parents were there so it was great for them and two of my brothers were there also, one of them led me up. My uncle John had a few runners, so he was there too.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
Ah, it is great to get my first winner in my first season so to just keep getting rides of as many people as I can and hopefully knock in a few winners.
What is your favourite track to ride around?
I used to hunt with the Scarteen Hunt so it was lovely to ride in Comea at their meeting, as a kid I would have done plenty of Hunter Trials around there and it’s a lovely track but I guess now I would equally like Rathcannon seen as I have rode my first winner there!
Who would be your biggest influence in racing?
I have plenty, being in Ballydoyle in the mornings I am surrounded by plenty of influential people who have ridden a lot of winners, Adrian Maguire is very helpful and Roger Quinlan – I would say Roger knows every point-to-point track like the back of his hand, he has helped me an awful lot if ever I am riding on the weekend I would meet him, have a chat to him prior, tell him where I am going and then he would advise me with the best way to ride the track and get the most out of it.
It's great being in Ballydoyle, there are so many people to look up to and I am just so lucky to be around many well-respected knowledgeable racing people.
My cousin Billy Gleeson also, if I have any questions, I will always go to him, and he has always helped me out with my riding and schooling whenever he could.
Growing up then I loved watching Paul Carberry, he always made everything look so effortless, horses would just travel for him and jump for him in such a natural way.
Do you have any interests outside of racing?
I would watch all sports I am a big fan of Limerick Hurling, I used to play but between riding and college, I just don’t have time anymore. I like to keep myself fit, I do a lot of running and exercise, but my focus now is riding.
Is there another young rider that you think people should watch out for?
I am good friends with Ned Fox, he was in Ballydoyle for a bit, but he is now a conditional based with Venetia Williams over in England. We used to do pony club together and he used to ride out for my Uncle John as well. He is getting on well over in England, he rode four winners last week.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Just keep working hard, the harder you work the luckier you seem to get so just keep your head down and keep working hard and the opportunities will come.
