Name: Lee Shanahan
From: Tallaght, Co. Dublin
First Winner: Brilliant Corners
A Dublin native, Lee graduated from the Trainee Jockey course at the RACE Academy in 2016 and it was on one of their horses, Finest Hour, that he made his point-to-point debut in an older maiden at Turtulla in November 2019 having previously contested in the Up The Yard challenge at Punchestown in 2018, when representing trainer and his boss, Ross O'Sullivan.
Lee registered his first success when steering Brilliant Corners to victory for handler Shane Donohoe at Oldcastle in April 2023.
How did you get started with horses?
My father always had horses when I was young, so I have always been around them and they’ve always been a massive part of my life. I started off hunting, I always used to watch racing on the TV and always wanted to be a Jockey.
I went to the open day at the Racing Academy in Kildare when I was fifteen and then when I turned sixteen, I got accepted into the Trainee Jockey Programme where I graduated in 2016. I was on placement in Dermot Welds when I was in RACE but I was always going to be too heavy for the flat so when I graduated from RACE I went and worked for Ross O’Sullivan and I have been with him ever since.
Do you ride out for anyone else?
I go up to Shane [Donohoe] once a week, Ross being the gentleman that he is, lets me have a morning a week off to drive up to Shane in Cavan.
How did you come about riding for Shane?
I rode a horse in a Bumper for him last year called ‘Look Twice’ and he did not have too many horses entered after that but when he did I gave him a ring to ride for him and he said if I came and rode the horse out for him then I could ride the horse in the bumper in Listowel, it finished second and Shane has been very good and supported me ever since so it was great to ride my first winner for him.
Tell me more about Brilliant Corners?
I was placed fifth on him twice this year and I was lucky enough to get to ride him again in Oldcastle, everything went to plan and worked in our favour. We thought he would have a chance on the day he won but Shane said to just ride what was under me and everything went to plan, it was amazing!
Who was there with you at Oldcastle?
My Girlfriend was there and my brother, he actually led me up, he rides out for Ross sometimes also, but he is still in school at the moment.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
I will just keep my head down and work hard and hopefully get more rides in which winners will follow.
What would you like to achieve from racing?
My weight is pretty good, but I will stay riding as an amateur for the next while and take it one step at a time, I mean if you’ve enough ammunition behind you with winners it’s easier to progress so if my career went that way then I could possibly turn conditional but we will just see how it goes. You never know what’s going to happen I am definitely going to pursue riding, that’s where my mind is set right now but I wouldn’t rule out going down the training route in the future.
What is your favourite track?
It would have to be Oldcastle now!
Who would be your biggest influence in racing?
I grew up watching Paul Carberry ride, every time I watched him on the TV I just wanted to ride like him.
Ross has been amazing to me, he rode as an amateur for years and any tips he can give whether it’s schooling or working he does, he’s very approachable to ask for advice.
Do you have any interests outside of racing?
I play football once a week.
Who is your best friend in the weighroom?
Tom Harney, we would travel to the races together and he worked at Ross’s yard with me, but I would have a good few friends in the weighroom.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t take life too seriously because before you know it, it could all be over.
