Image © Healy Racing
Name: Josh Halford
Age: 19
From: KIldangan, County Kildare
What is your background in horses?
I grew up in a racing yard and have done SJI Showjumping all my life really.
My dad Michael has recently retired from training. He trained for around 41 years. My mam Louise rode a few winners, I don’t know how many she rode, I know my dad rode over 50 winners as an amateur, but mam wouldn’t be so cocky, she wouldn’t tell ya! She won the Ladies Derby at the Curragh on Do The Trick for Paul Rooney, an owner who I’ve also ridden winners for.
My younger brother Tommy has an amateur license too. He did a summer with dad and finished school this year and started working full-time to Cormac Farrell when dad finished up.
My younger sister Holly has been riding at the pony racing as last two years and will do another season before hopefully taking out her license.
My twin sisters, Emily and Jasmine do a lot of showjumping. They’re way too clever, they wouldn’t go into the racing game! They will probably stick to the showjumping.
Tell me about the success you’ve had in the showjumping sphere?
I got to compete in Dublin a few times on ponies. I qualified at Dublin in the 138cm and went to the Horse Of The Year Show in the 148cms.
I have a nice mare from Norway, Herle, and I got on the Irish Team with her and competed in Fontainebleau in France in 2023. I came back, and the following week we qualified for the 1.40cm in the young rider, but unfortunately the mare got injured after that.
She had a bit of a lay-off and I put her in foal. She’s back again this year and I’ll send her for that qualifier again. I won a few 1.35cms over the Christmas period with her.
Myself and Tommy both competed on the Under-18 Irish Junior Showjumping Team along with Alex Feeney and Conor McLaughlin.
At what point did you get more involved with racing?
When I was 14, I started riding out for Dad. Dad got me going and taught me the basics. I did a small bit of flapping as well. I only got a half season after covid so only got around seven flapping rides.
While I was in fifth year at school, I rode out a few mornings for Jessica Harrington.
Once I turned 16, I took out my license and had a first bumper ride for Dad.
My first bumper winner was for dad and Tracey Collins, aboard Tarnova at Punchestown in October 2023. I’ve had six winners on the track so far.
Can you remember the first racehorse you ever sat on?
The first racehorse I rode was called Katiymann. Katiymann got myself and Tommy going. My grandad, Michael Snr, owned him as a two-year-old and his dream was always to own a Galway winner. Katiymann gave grandad his Galway winner the year that he sadly passed away.
He’s a very important horse to us, he got us all going. Holly has competed him in pony racing and he’s still around, he’s in mam’s yard at the minute enjoying life.
Did you finish your Leaving Cert?
I completed my Leaving Cert two years ago in St. Paul’s in Monasterevin. I might still go to college, I might go next year, I’m not sure yet. I’ll see how the riding goes. It’s always an option.
Where do you work full-time?
I’m working full-time with Gordon Elliott and since January, I’ve started working Tuesdays down in Enda Bolger’s. Gordon is very good to give me Tuesday off every week.
Gordon is very good, I’ve learnt loads with him, but for schooling experience, it’s great to be in Enda’s.
I also go into Paddy Kennedy’s in the evenings too. He has a few young horses and it’s great to see how he brings them on and produces them for Gordon. That is a huge help and producing horses is something I’d like to do in the future. It’s a great insight.
How did the ride on Honey Be Good come about?
I rode out for Enda last Tuesday and he said to me that I could ride her at the weekend. I was delighted to get the ride.
Were you expecting Honey Be Good to run well?
I thought she’d have her chance. Paul Kavanagh, the lad that looks after her and led her up, told me he fancied her too.
She was good first time out and then I’m not sure what happened, she pulled up and fell twice. She’s a good mare, and seems to just lack concentration when she jumps, but she’s well able to jump. She winged the fences for me on Sunday and only made one mistake going past the stands. Other than that, she is very good and very straightforward.
How did it feel to ride your first point-to-point winner?
It was more so a feeling of relief. I’ve been very lucky to have ridden a few winners on the track and I haven’t had as much luck riding in point-to-points. I’m very grateful to have finally got a winner.
Were your family there on the day?
Dad drove me to the races and my mam and Tommy were there. It was great for them all to be there. They do a lot for me, and come to watch me when they can. They are all very supportive.
Do you know what the plan is for Honey Be Good now?
Enda is thinking of going to a point-to-point bumper in Tipperary with her next.
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
Yeah, it was always the plan. I watched a documentary during covid about Tiger Roll and when I saw that, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
I wanted to go into to Gordon’s yard and that was the plan. I didn’t know how far I’d take it, but I’ve been very lucky that it has worked out for me. Please God that I can keep improving and to get a few more winners would be nice.
Have you any plans to turn professional in the future?
I have no plans to turn professional at the moment, but if the right opportunity came about, then maybe. I’ll stay amateur for as long as possible and hopefully keep improving.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
Harry Swan is someone that I would look up to. I have to say that Harry Swan and Finny Maguire are very good. I am surrounded by amazing riders at Gordon’s and I try to learn as much as I can from them every day. Jack Kennedy, Jordan Gainford, Danny Gilligan and Sam Ewing are all great jockeys.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
Dad is amazing. I look up to him big time. He’s great for advice and will always let me know if I do anything wrong.
The lads in the yard are also very helpful. Jordan Gainford is great to give me point-to-point advice. He knows most of the tracks like the back of his hand. Sam would also be good for helpful advice.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
Not particularly. Just showjumping. I’ll keep tipping away at the showjumping with my mare Herle for as long as possible. I enjoy showjumping, but I really love my mare. I’d love to try to get her to Dublin again and get a few summer shows into her.
I have a nice filly out of her by Kingston. She is a fine foal and she will be something to look forward to in the future.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
I just want to keep learning and keep improving. It would be nice to pick up some more outside rides.
Do you want to add anything else?
I’d just like to thank Enda and connections for giving me the opportunity to ride Honey Be Good.
I’m very grateful to a lot of people who have supported me from the start.
Mam and Dad are brilliant. I’ve had great support from lads like Nigel Slevin and owner Paul Rooney has been great to let me ride his horses. I can’t thank everyone who have helped me along the way enough.
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.
