Image © Healy Racing
Sam Hamilton is from a well-known family on the northern point-to-point circuit and he rode his first winner at Tattersalls on a horse trained by his grandfather Brian.
Name: Sam Hamilton
Sam Hamilton is from a well-known family on the northern point-to-point circuit and he rode his first winner at Tattersalls on a horse trained by his grandfather Brian.
Name: Sam Hamilton
Age: 17
From: Downpatrick, County Down
How did you get involved with horses?
My father Brian trained racehorses so I have grown up around horses. I rode ponies from an early age and have successfully competed at 100 pony classes and 100 trainer classes on the eventing circuit. I also hunted with the East Down hunt.
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
I can’t actually remember the first racehorse as we had so many, but I was around 8 years old whenever I started riding the quiet thoroughbreds in the yard.
Where do you work full-time?
I’m a first year apprentice joiner. The course is 4 years long. I’m enjoying it at the moment, it’s good to have something else to fall back on if riding doesn’t work out.
I’m doing my apprenticeship with a man named Philly Polly, he has horses in training with Noel Meade so he is very good to me for days off when I need to go schooling etc.
Up until recently, I have only ever ridden out at home, but I’ve now started to ride out for Warren Ewing every Friday.
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How did the ride on Yewtree Hill come about?
My grandfather Brian trains Yewtree Hill. I school him at home and have won two eventing competitions on him in the past. Granda has 8 horses in training at the minute and hopefully I’ll get the ride on the majority of them.
Were you expecting Yewtree Hill to run well?
I finished second on him previously at Kirkistown last month. He was fit and well at home and we expected him to run respectively, but to be honest the fact that the race divided probably made his task much easier. We went thinking he had a wee bit of a chance.
Did you get some kick out of riding your first point-to-point winner?
Oh yeah it was some buzz. It was a class feeling to walk back into the winners enclosure after, it was amazing. It was only my third point-to-point ride and it was more special as my granda owned and trained my first winner.
Were your family there on the day?
Only my dad was there and some of his mates. My grandfather was delighted, he didn’t travel down but of course he watched the video when we got home.
I have an older brother Jake who doesn’t ride but takes a great interest in the racing. The family are very supportive of me.
I have an older brother Jake who doesn’t ride but takes a great interest in the racing. The family are very supportive of me.
Do you know what the plan is for Yewtree Hill?
I’m not sure but he might go for a winners' race now.
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
Yes it was always the dream to be a jockey since I was very young. I gained some experience riding in pony racing. I rode one winner and then Covid hit.
After Covid I was too heavy for pony racing so I took out my amateur license. If I can keep my weight right and get a few years’ experience, I might consider turning professional.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
Definitely my dad. He had a pretty successful riding and training career. He was retired from riding before I was born but I can always remember him riding out. He has taught me absolutely everything I know.
It was nice to have my first ever ride for Dad, aboard Tollymore in a bumper at Down Royal on Boxing Day. He relinquished his license the following month when he went to work for the IHRB.
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Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
My dad is great for advice. He will give me plenty of tips and tell me what I’m doing wrong. Both my grandads are very knowledgeable. Between them all, they keep me right.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
Up until this year, I played a lot of rugby but now the racing has taken over.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
It would be nice to get a couple more winners. I’ll just keep tipping away and hopefully get more rides and experience.
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— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) December 10, 2024
Sam Hamilton hails from a family well-known on the northern point-to-point circuit and the 17-year-old recorded his first success in the saddle at Tattersalls on Sunday.
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As a bonus for talented new point-to-point riders who feature in p2p.ie series of NextGen articles, Dungar Quality Oats will sponsor a special draw where one of the riders will win a cash prize of €500. All NextGen featured jockeys who have ridden their first point-to-point winner will be automatically entered into this draw. The draw will be conducted and prize winner announced at the end of the point-to-point season.
