NextGen | Finn Tegetmeier

Image © Healy Racing

Finn Tegetmeier had gained a first track victory at Naas earlier in the year, and the Meath native added a first success in the pointing fields to his CV at Tattersalls.

Name:  Finn Tegetmeier
Age:    19
From: Kells, County Meath


How did you get involved with horses?

I’m not from a racing background at all. I just always loved horses and wanted to learn to ride. I also had a huge interest in hounds so I was always mad to get out hunting.

When I was about ten years old I started taking lessons at Kells Equestrian Centre, just five minutes down the road. I took lessons there for a few years and competed in a lot of showjumping, hunter trials and mostly cross-country. I never owned my own pony so it was a bit more difficult to compete.


What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?

I don’t remember the name of the first racehorse that I ever sat on, but it was in Desmond McDonagh’s. I started going into Dessie’s to ride out when I was 13 years old.





Where do you work full-time?

When I was 16, I started riding out in Noel Meade’s yard. Currently I work five mornings a week at Noel’s, then I ride out for Hugh Finegan in the afternoons and I go into Peter Flood’s every Friday.


How did the ride on Borora River come about?

Borora River is the only point-to-pointer in Noel’s yard. She’s a lovely mare who jumps well. Noel said he would going point-to-pointing with her and he’d let me ride her. I do a lot of the schooling on her at home.


Were you expecting Borora River to run well?

She had track experience and was second on her first points run at Kirkistown. It was a 2-horse races so it was hard to judge her on that race. She was favourite on Sunday, she jumps well and was working well at home so we were expecting her to go close.


Did you get some kick out of riding your first point-to-point winner?

Oh definitely. It was some buzz. The owners are all local lads too. I didn’t go celebrating after. I didn’t do anything spectacular, I treated myself to a steak!


How did your first points winner compare to riding your first track winner?

I won a bumper on Blue Mosque for Noel at Naas back in April. Riding over 15 fences and over 3 miles is a lot different to riding a bumper over 2 miles on the flat. They were both great days, but  to be honest, I got a bigger buzz over the fences.


Were your family there on the day?

My family weren’t there but a good few of my friends that are local were there. I’m good friends with a lot of the other jockeys and they were all delighted. There were plenty of people I knew congratulating me.


Do you know what the plan is for Borora River now?

I’m not a hundred percent sure what the plan is for her now. She may go for a winners race or perhaps a hunter chase. Noel and the owners will decide where to go with her now.


Was it always the plan to take out your license?

I finished my Leaving Cert at Kell’s Community School and I decided the books weren’t for me. I took out my amateur’s license when I was 17. Come the age of 15/16 I had decided that was what I wanted to do.

I’d be good friends with Eoghan Finegan, who would be Hugh’s nephew. He’s a year older than me and when he took out his license, I wanted to follow the same route.

I’m very tall, I’m 6 foot 1 and a bit heavy for being an apprentice so an amateur license made sense.


Who is your biggest influence in racing?

I was always watching racing on the telly growing up. Sure Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy were the best around. They would have been a big influence on me.





Is there anyone you turn to for advice?

Noel is very helpful for advice and telling me what I did or didn’t do right. Hugh used to ride and is also very good to me. I can call them up for anything and they will always help.


Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?

I don’t have time for anything outside of racing. I played a bit of football when I was younger.


What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?

I’ve now had about 25 rides between the track and points and no
I’ve had my first points winner, it will hopefully get my name out there a bit more. It would be good to get more contacts and pick up more rides. The novice rider races provide good opportunities.


Do you want to add anything else?

I’d just like to thank Noel for giving me the opportunities. He’s put me up on some good horses. Hugh provided me with a lot of point-to-point rides when I first took out my license and I’m grateful for all the experience.
 

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.