Kevin Healy and Brian Barry join conditional ranks

“I was probably surrounded by more track trainers and the point-to-point rides were drying up a bit,” Healy explained.

“I wasn’t getting on the same quality of horses towards the end, my weight was good at the time, and it was something I always wanted to do.”

 

The decision was a clear-cut one, with Healy confirming that he knew his late-November rides at Borris House would be his last as an amateur, having phoned Simon Cavanagh on the way to the meeting to let him know.

 

Healy’s first ride as a conditional came aboard Milan Forth, the horse who had already defined much of his early career, and fittingly, the gelding also provided him with his first winner under his new status.

 

“That horse has been a brilliant servant to me,” Healy said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better one.”

 

Owned by Healy’s grandfather Patrick Whyte, Milan Forth had already supplied the young rider with his first point-to-point winner and carried him through a productive first full season. Their recent success together at Cork was particularly meaningful, not only as Healy’s first track win as a conditional, but also as Cavanagh’s first winner under Rules.

 

“I was probably more delighted for the horse than anything,” Healy added. “My grandfather is a big supporter of myself, and Simon puts an awful lot into it. It was great to see things turn around for him as well.”

 

Healy finished his first full season between the flags with eight winners and placed third in the under-21 riders’ standings, experience he feels stood to him when making the move to the track.

 

“Point-to-pointing did give me a good grounding.

 

“There’s still a big difference, but it teaches you how to ride over a fence and be positive. When riding on the track, I’m riding more often, I’m fitter, and when you’re riding more, you’re learning and improving all the time.”

 

Now operating as a conditional, Healy is based primarily with Cian Collins, riding out there four mornings a week, while continuing to ride in the afternoons for Cavanagh and spending a day each week with John McConnell and Declan Queally, an opportunity he took the initiative to create himself.

 

“I just texted Declan one night and asked, and he told me to come down,” Healy said. “He’s very helpful, especially with riding advice. He would watch back my races and go through everything with me.”

 

Healy can be booked through his agent Garry Cribbin and can ride as low as around 10st 3lb. Grateful for the support he has received, particularly from Simon Cavanagh and Adrian Murray, the young rider is now keen to build on his early momentum.

 

“I’d just love to ride as many winners as I can and build up more contacts,” said Healy, who is happy to travel for schooling or rides.

 

Brian Barry, who hails from Conna in County Cork, has also turned professional in recent weeks following a varied route through point-to-pointing, racecourse opportunities and valuable time spent abroad in the United States and France.

A prolific pony racer, and younger brother of leading point-to-point rider John Barry, he arrives in the conditional ranks with a broad skill set and a strong appreciation for the education provided by the pointing field.

 

Barry had his first ride in the paid ranks at Thurles before Christmas after giving the decision careful thought.

 

“It was very much in my mind, but I hadn’t decided for sure,” Barry explained. “Things were a little bit quiet in point-to-points, my weight is quite good, and I felt I might get more race rides on the track. I thought if I didn’t try it now, I might never do it.”

 

The 22-year-old has had close to 200 point-to-point rides in Ireland, alongside approximately 50 race rides in America and further experience in France, exposure he believes has left him well equipped for the move.

 

“Point-to-Pointing gave me a huge grounding. I learned so much. I was very lucky to get plenty of support from a lot of trainers, and my brother John was a big help to me, getting me rides and into yards.”

 

Barry, who can ride at bottom weight on the track, has appointed ex-jockey Ken Whelan as his agent, and is currently spreading himself across a number of yards, riding out for Wicklow-based Riceal Dunne and for John Ryan, who provided him with his first track winner at Listowel in 2021.

 

“Riceal was kind enough to give me two rides at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day, which I was very grateful for,” Barry said. “I’m just trying to stay busy, get as many rides as I can, and hopefully if people see a bit of value in my claim, the ball might start rolling.”

Healy and Barry represent the latest graduates from the pointing field to take their chance at professional level and while the immediate focus for both riders is on building race-riding opportunities and establishing themselves in the conditional ranks, neither has lost sight of the role point-to-pointing played in their development.