Image © Healy Racing
Name: Ronan McParland
Age: 19
From: Crookstown, County Kildare
How did you get involved with horses?
I started out hunting and doing pony club with the Kildare Hunt from a very young age. My grandad Ronan and my grand-uncle Thomas always had racehorses in training as well. My dad Bryan is mad into racing too, so there were always horses around the place growing up. I was probably put on a pony before I could walk. It was always horses with me, hunting, pony club, racehorses, everything.
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
The first racehorse I rode was in Fran Flood’s. I was only about ten or eleven when I went down there. Fran is a far out relation of mine and I did a lot of my early riding with Fran after school and during the summers.
My dad is good friends with Ross O’Sullivan and he got me in there for a few weeks and I also rode out for Peter Fahey and then Sean Doyle. I learned a lot of Peter Fahey and I got a few rides off him and same with Sean Doyle, he gave me my first ride in points.
Where do you work full-time?
Since July/August I’m with Colin Bowe in the mornings and Rob James in the afternoons, Monday to Friday.
On Saturdays when I’m back home, I ride work for Peter Lawlor. I’m close to the Curragh and I’ll school or ride out for anyone that needs me.
Before that I learned loads in different places, Ross O’Sullivan, Peter Fahey, Sean Doyle. They all gave me great help and opportunities along the way.
How did the ride on Roi Du Roume come about?
Colin rang me on Saturday evening and told me he had a ride for me in Borris on Sunday. That was the first I knew of it. I was delighted to get the call. It’s always nice when the boss gives you a spin.
I’m actually only back riding out as last two weeks as I broke my wrist while schooling with Rob James, so that was my first ride of the season.
Were you expecting Roi Du Roume to run well?
Barry was riding the more fancied horse in the race but Roi Du Roume has the ability, but he can be a bit of a monkey too. I don’t think he was really expected to win, to be honest. There wasn’t much pressure on me, but at the same time you always want to do the best you can, especially when you’re trying to get going.
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Can you describe the feeling of riding your first point-to-point winner?
I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet. It’s an unbelievable feeling and a great buzz. To get your first winner on a Sunday in Borris House for a yard like Colin’s. It’s what you dream of when you’re starting out. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a few more on the board before the season’s out. You’d be hungry for that feeling again.
Were your family there on the day?
Yeah, my dad was there, and my best friend Shane Markey came too. Borris is fairly local to me so there were plenty of people around that I knew.
It was a good place to do it, nice track, good atmosphere. I was actually back there again at seven the next morning schooling, so I couldn’t celebrate too much!
Borris House is a track that you have mixed emotions about?
Yeah, I actually got a bad fall in Borris House, ironically the place where I rode my first winner!
A mare that I was riding for Sean Doyle tipped up in a maiden back there in April 24, I fractured three vertebrae in my back and was out for a good while. I got great help during my recovery from Wayne Middleton and Gavin at RACE.
Do you know what the plan is for Roi Du Roume now?
I think he’s probably heading to the Point-to-point and Horses-in-Training Sale in Goresbridge, but that would be Colin’s call to make.
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
All I ever wanted to be was a jockey. From the time I was small it was horses, horses, horses. I love jumping, I love going fast, it was always in my head to ride. This is my third season with the licence now, so it took a while to get a winner, but hopefully that’s the start of it.
I did complete my Leaving Cert at St. Kevin's Community College in Dunlavin, County Wicklow, but once that was out of the way, I made the move down to Wexford full-time.
How many track rides have you had?
I’ve probably had around 13/14 track rides so far. My first ride was on a horse for Ted Walsh in a QR maiden at Clonmel in September 24.
Who would be your best friends in racing?
I’ve plenty of friends, but probably Frankie Murphy, Shane Markey and James Smith would be my best friends in racing.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
Ruby Walsh. He was always my favourite jockey to watch growing up. The best man for the big day.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
Loads of people have been good to me. Jamie Scallan, Jack Hendrick, Sean and Eoin Staples.
All the Doyles at Monbeg, but especially Gearoid Doyle, he has been brilliant for giving me confidence and feedback even when I wasn’t riding many. Here in the yard, Rob James and Craig Casey are great. Barry O’Neill and Bertie Finn too. And of course the boss Colin and Robbie Jackson, who helped get me the job here in the first place. There’s a big list of people who’ve helped me along the way and I’m very grateful.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
Not much outside horses really. Hunting would be the main one when I get the time, but that’s rare enough now. I ride 15 or 16 horses a day, bedding up and doing jobs, so that keeps me fit. I do a bit of running too and need to get back into it properly.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
Just to keep improving and get as many rides as I can. If a couple more winners come with that, then even better.
Long-term I’d love to establish myself in points and maybe turn conditional in a few years if things keep going the right way.
Do you want to add anything else?
I’d like to thank Colin Bowe for the opportunity, it means a lot. And of course to everyone that has helped me in any way. My family too. They back me all the time. I’m very grateful for all the support I get.
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.
