Name: Edmond Roche
Age: 24
From: Castletownroche, Co. Cork
It was a memorable day at Aghabullogue for rider Edmond Roche who registered his first career win aboard Farmers Future carrying the colours of his sister Niamh.
How did you get involved with horses?
My Dad always had horses around when we were growing up, he would have bought them as foals and then sold them as stores. He wouldn’t consign them himself, he would have given them to someone else to do.
I was about 7 or 8 when I joined Hannon's riding school just outside of Mallow. I then got my own pony when I was aged 11 and did plenty of hunting and things like that.
I joined Marie Harding when I was about 16, it was that was where I rode my first racehorse. My father would have had horses in training with Marie over the years and she is not far from us at home.
Where are you working at present?
I have been with Marie since I was 16 and then I went full time after I finished college. Whilst in college I would have ridden out for her at weekends and if I got any days off during the week.
What did you study in college?
I studied Ag Science in CIT.
Where did you come about Farmers Future?
He was a horse that was in Marie’s - he had three runs and hadn't shown much in his races. When he came up for sale my sister and I bought him.
He is a nice horse that just needed a lot of time and he is really coming into his own now.
Farmers Future is a horse you know well, were you confident of a big run?
I wouldn’t say confident but hopeful, he had run well on good ground last season and he had been working well at home.
We were just nervous of the ground and were hoping he would handle it.
Did you get some kick out of riding your first winner?
It was unreal, the best day of my life. When buying him I never expected him to win, he was a horse to have a bit of fun with. Anything he does from now is a bonus.
It must have been extra special to get your first winner carrying the colours of your sister?
It was brilliant, all of my family were there and a lot of the staff from Marie’s were there also, so it was great.
The team at Marie’s are brilliant, they always support their own and it was great to have them there on the day.
Do you know what the plan for Farmers Future is now?
He has come out of his race well, he will go for a winners race next as to where that will be I don’t know yet.
What are your ambitions for this season?
Just to get a couple of more spins on him and another win would be great.
Was it always your plan to take out your licence?
It wasn’t really, I am quite tall so didn’t think it would be on the cards but since going full time I said to Marie I was thinking of taking out my licence and she was very supportive.
Marie’s horses are flying this season, is there any horses we should be keeping an eye out for?
Grainne A Chroi was running a big race at Dromahane after Christmas before unseating at the last, I think she will be hard to beat when she runs next.
Brave Endeavour is another nice horse that should do well this season, he won at Moig South earlier this season.
Are you involved with any other horses?
My Dad and I have two broodmares and a couple of young horses at home.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
Marie has just been fantastic, I have learnt so much from her whilst working with her from breaking horses, to sales prep and training it’s been fantastic.
The team that are working there are just brilliant, riding out in the mornings with the likes Eoin O’Brien, Pierce Gallagher and Joanna Walton is definitely an advantage. They are always giving you advice.
For instance, after I walked the track Eoin had a chat with me and told me what to do on my horse and advised me to keep out on the better ground. To get advice like that is fantastic.
The Gallagher's, who are neighbours of mine, have also been very supportive of me over the years.
Have you any interests outside of racing?
I used to play hurling but I gave that up last year, as with the racing and farming there is not time for much else.
%uD835%uDDE1%uD835%uDDF2%uD835%uDE05%uD835%uDE01 %uD835%uDDDA%uD835%uDDF2%uD835%uDDFB | %uD835%uDDD8%uD835%uDDF1%uD835%uDDFA%uD835%uDDFC%uD835%uDDFB%uD835%uDDF1 %uD835%uDDE5%uD835%uDDFC%uD835%uDDF0%uD835%uDDF5%uD835%uDDF2
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) January 17, 2024
It was a memorable day at Aghabullogue for rider Edmond Roche who registered his first career win aboard Farmers Future carrying the colours of his sister Niamh Roche.
%uD83D%uDC49For more click here https://t.co/cTrRHodCOr pic.twitter.com/Z7Ug8miFEK
