Name: Cathal Sheehan
Age: 18
From: Ballynoe, co. Cork
It was a day to remember at Umma House for rider Cathal Sheehan who registered his first winner between the flags when guiding the Declan Queally handled Midnight Show to victory, carrying the colours of his grandfather Richard Cotter.
How did you get involved with horses?
My Grandfather always had horses when we were growing up and he used to always bring us point-to-pointing. I then started riding ponies and then did plenty of hunting with the Conna Harriers.
How did you get started with racehorses?
I started riding out for Batt O’Connell at weekends from when I was about 12 or 13. From there I went into Sean Ahern’s and Paul Cashman before joining Declan Queally.
When did you start with Declan Queally?
I joined Dec there before the end of last season. I am full-time with him now.
How did the connection with Declan come about?
We had a mare at home and we were going to put her in training and we decided to send her down to Declan Queally. I then started riding out there a bit then during my leaving cert year.
Do you ride out for anyone else?
I still ride out a bit for Batt O’Connell and Paul O’Connell, he would also be local to us at home.
Was it always the plan for you to take out your riders licence?
It was really, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, it was always the plan.
Have any other members of your family have much of an interest in racing other than your granddad Richard?
A lot of family would have an interest in racing and lot would follow point-to-pointing and some would also keep horses. My brother would have a strong interest in the horses and would follow racing a good bit.
My second cousin Shane Cotter also recently took out his licence and he is based with Denis Murphy.
You were unfortunate to come down at Loughrea. Were you fancying him to run a big race on Sunday?
He was still going well when he fell at Loughrea, I know it was long way out but he was still going really well. On the basis of that we really fancied him to run a big race on Sunday at Umma House, we thought he’d there or there abouts.
You must have been thrilled to get your first winner on the board?
It was brilliant, especially to be carrying the colours of my grandfather Richard Cotter. It made it extra special.
Did any of your family go to Umma House?
My grandfather, mother, father and brother were there so it was brilliant to have them there. They all got a great kick out of it.
What is the plan now for Midnight Show now?
He will go for a winners race next I’d imagine.
What are your ambitions for this season?
Hopefully get as many rides as I can and if I can get another couple of winners then, that would be great.
Any horses to follow for the season?
There’s a horse there Beau’s Candle, who ran well on season debut at Castletown-Geoghegan. He will definitely be competitive in those older races.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
It probably have to be Grandad, he was the one always bringing me racing from such a young age and he was the one driving me around places to ride out. He has been very good to me.
Have you any interests outside of racing?
I follow the GAA a bit and I also keep a couple of greyhounds.
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— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) October 26, 2023
It was a day to remember for Cathal Sheehan who registered his first point-to-point winner aboard Midnight Show in the colours of his grandad Richard Cotter.
%uD83D%uDC49To find out more about Cathal https://t.co/ey36Ysbasj pic.twitter.com/NzZ1ElNFoJ
