Image © Healy Racing
Name: Dara O’Sullivan
Age: 17
From: Asbourne, County Meath
What’s your background in horses?
My grandad Al O’Connell would have trained racehorses and then my mam Claire took over the license from him. My mam took over the training license from grandad on 2nd March 2009, and she trained her first winner with her first runner in her own name on my first birthday, the next day 3rd March 2009.
There were always horses around growing up. All different types of horses. We had thoroughbreds, breeding mares, hunters and ponies. I would have been riding ponies since I was born!
I have done plenty of showjumping, eventing, and Tetrathlon with the Ward Union pony club. I competed at a good level in showjumping and eventing and won a few finals at Barnadown. I had a great 14.2hh pony.
My dad Paul, and my older brother Niall don’t ride, but my sister Ciara would ride out at home every morning and she would have competed a bit too.
My mam rode too when she was younger. I don’t know how many winners she had, but there’s actually a trophy in the house with joint-champion lady rider on it. Mam would never say too much about her riding days!
My mam rode too when she was younger. I don’t know how many winners she had, but there’s actually a trophy in the house with joint-champion lady rider on it. Mam would never say too much about her riding days!
I have been hunting with the Ward Union Hunt and the Fingal Harriers since I was nine-years-old. I still hunt as much as I can.
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
I actually can’t remember the horse, but I remember riding out before school in third class. I’ve been riding out racehorses since I was eight or nine at home.
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Where do you work full-time?
I’m a fifth year student at Belvedere College in Dublin. My plan is to finish my Leaving Cert and go to college. I’m not sure at this point what I’ll study, but probably something to do with horses. Possibly veterinary, but definitely something in the equine industry. I’ll continue to ride as an amateur while studying.
I ride out at home on Saturday's and as often as possible when not in school.
Have you gained experience in other yards?
I go into Tom Dreaper’s yard as much as I can when we’re not too busy at home. Tom is just across the road from us.
Last summer I went into Gavin Cromwell’s one day a week. That was really good and I learned a lot there. I spent a week down with Paul Cashman in Glenview Stud to gain experience, and I would also help Andrew Lynch out a bit when he is stuck.
How many track rides have you had?
I’ve had four track rides and three point-to-point rides now.
I had three rides last summer on the track on a horse called Born Bright for my mam. I finished third on Born Bright’s sister, Noble Name in the Tipperary point-to-point bumper the evening before I won on Brock Beauty.
How did the ride on Brock Beauty come about?
Ger Farrell who owns her is a good neighbour of ours. He comes down to ride her out every day. He said that he would give me a spin on her when I got my license.
Ger would have ridden as an amateur for my grandad, and ironically he rode his first winner for grandad.
Were you expecting Brock Beauty to run well?
Yeah, we were expecting her to run well. I had my first points ride on her at Taylorstown and I finished fourth on her, so we were hoping for another good run.
Can you describe the feeling of riding your first winner?
It was great. I couldn’t believe it really. It was unreal. I didn’t believe it until I had crossed the line.
I was third on Glenmalure Lady at Loughanmore for mam last month, and that day turning-in, I thought I had the race put to bed and that I was going to win, but got beat.
So on Brock Beauty, I was terrified the whole way to the finish line that something would go by me.
I thought she was going very well going to the second last and that we had a right chance. so I kicked on and thankfully she kept on.
Were your family there on the day?
It was just my mam there and Ger, the owner came up and led her up himself.
Do you know what the plan is for Brock Beauty now?
I’m not too sure. She may have another outing in points, but will probably go handicapping on the track over the summer. That will be up to Ger.
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
Yes. Since I was riding ponies, it was always in my mind and something that I’ve always dreamt of. I took it out the minute I turned 16.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
I would have looked up to Bryan Cooper. I would have grown up watching him on the tv and I remember him riding Don Cossack. I liked to follow them.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
Tom Dreaper is very good for giving me advice and also Andrew Lynch is very good to me. Andrew is good with tips, but he’s the one that would always find something wrong! Even when I won on Brock Beauty, he gave out to me! There’s no harm.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
I play a lot of hurling during the summer. I play for Donaghmore, Ashbourne.
I have a few different hunters and like to get hunting as much as possible, and up until last summer I was still doing pony club, showjumping and eventing. I don’t think I’ll have the time this year as racing has taken over.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
It would be nice to get another couple of rides in points before the season is over and a few rides in bumpers over the summer.
Do you want to add anything else?
I’d like to thank Ger, Mairead and Mary Farrell, the owners of Brock Beauty for letting me ride her and I’d also like to thank my mam for all her support and giving me all the opportunities.
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.
