Name: Christine Worrell
Age: 20
From: Monasterevin, Co. Kildare
Kildare native Christine Worrell registered her first career success when guiding the Paddy Quinlan trained Elusive Touch to victory at Tinahely on Sunday.
How did you get involved with horses?
I just started off show jumping ponies for Louise Halford, I competed up to a 1.20m. Then during Covid I started riding out pony racing horses for Buddy Harrison, that’s where I really developed the bug.
I then started in Ian McCarthys, he is actually married to a cousin of mine Nikki. I was riding breakers and point-to-pointers with him. Ian was brilliant, I learnt so much from him.
I went to Joseph O’Brien’s two summers ago just to get a bit more experience riding older horses and that and to tidy up a bit.
How did you find it working in Joseph’s?
I loved it, it was really good. I felt I really tidied up my riding whilst I was there.
Where are you working at present?
I am between Martin Brassil’s and Cian Collins. I am in college in Waterford studying Ag Science so I try to divide my time with all three.
Cian and Martin have been unbelievably good to me and are both teaching me loads I am very fortunate.
In Martin’s it’s brilliant you have the likes of JJ, Ricky and Conor all there and they are great to have around.
In Cian’s Denis O’Regan comes in and you have Davy Condon there also and they are both fantastic and great for advice.
Cian also gave me my first track ride aboard a good horse called Fiveonefive.
How did the connection with Cian Collins come about?
My cousin actually knew him and he’s good friends with Jack Kennedy and I met him one day and then started going in there a couple of days a week.
It’s been great, he’s a real up and coming trainer and does extremely well with his horses.
How are you finding juggling it all?
Oh it’s tough, but I like to be kept busy!
How did the ride aboard Elusive Touch come about?
Martin is very good friends with Paddy and I also would have known him from show jumping. I had previously sat on The Diddler for him and then he very kindly gave me the opportunity to ride Elusive Touch.
I had sat on her a few times before and she is unbelievable to jump.
It was great to have a winner for Paddy and his family who sadly lost their daughter Dani before Christmas.
Did you fancy her to run well on Sunday?
I was really looking forward to riding her, she is a great jumper and I was hoping for a big run.
Did you get some kick out of riding your first winner?
It was some feeling, a feeling like no other.
Were any of your family there for the win on Sunday?
Just my Dad and my cousin, I didn’t tell too many! Didn’t want to jinx it as my first two starts were not that successful, it was a case of third time lucky.
Do you know what the plan for Elusive Touch is now?
Hopefully she will run in another point-to-point next month, she has come out of her race well.
I would love to ride her again, her jumping is just so good, she is dynamite.
What are your ambitions for this season?
I would have originally said to get a winner! I just want to get loads of experience and it would be great to get more opportunities and create more connections.
Another few winners wouldn’t go astray!
Is there any upcoming riders that we should be keeping an eye on?
My friend Charlotte Butler, she is only after coming over from England. She works hard and is a great rider. She rides out for a couple trainers including the likes of Gordon Elliott, Dusty Sheehy and Aidan Fitzgerald.
Any horses to follow for the season?
Fastorslow is an obvious one, he is some horse with an engine like no other, he also has a lovely bumper horse that I led up over Christmas, Built By Ballymore he is one to follow.
Cian has some lovely horses but I would have a soft spot for Fiveonefive.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
Definitely on the track Rachael Blackmore and Maxine O’Sullivan. Maxine rides out for Ian in the evenings, she is such a lovely girl and a great rider.
I always loved the style of Davy Russell, I think he is class and have always looked up to him for as long as I can remember. I just love his style of riding.
To me personally Ian McCarthy and Martin Brassil have had a huge influence on me I couldn’t thank them enough for helping me along and giving me the opportunity. Ian was really the one that got me going and filled me with loads of confidence, brought me schooling with him.
Then in Martins riding such good horses, it’s a privilege. I learn so much from the lads and from Martin, I’ve only been with them a short time and I have already learnt so much.
Have you any interests outside of racing?
I used to play football but with college and horses I don’t have time for much else.
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— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) January 12, 2024
Kildare native Christine Worrell registered her first career success when guiding the Paddy Quinlan trained Elusive Touch to victory at Tinahely on Sunday.
%uD83D%uDC49 To find out more about Christine https://t.co/BsldwT9www pic.twitter.com/V4GrmmSFPQ
