Sean O’Keeffe is our latest novice rider to feature in our next generation section. From Co. Wexford, eighteen-year-old Sean has ridden in thirteen point-to-points to date and enjoyed a successful day at Knockinroe last weekend when he rode his first winner of the season aboard the Denis Hickey-trained Buckie Cullen in the six-year-old-and-upwards maiden.
Sean also enjoyed his first track success last month when he won on the Liz Doyle-trained Cordovan Brown on her bumper debut at Punchestown.
Name: Sean O’Keeffe
Age: 18
Town: Wexford
How did you become involved in racing?
There have always been horses at home as both my grandfather and my dad Jim trained point-to-pointers as well as keeping some mares. I have always had an interest in horses and began riding from a young age on ponies where I was a member of the Killinick pony club. Once I was old enough I began riding out at home and also worked for Jim Bolger during my summer holidays while I was still in school. I completed my Leaving Cert in June and since then I have been working for Liz Doyle as well as riding out for Denis Hickey in the afternoons before going home to do our own few.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
To work hard and the results will come.
What's your favourite course?
My favourite race track is Punchestown and Curraghmore is my favourite point-to-point course.
What's your favourite sport outside racing?
I try and do a good bit of swimming to help with my fitness levels.
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Thistlecrack or Sizing John?
It would have to be Sizing John. He was class last season.
Give us a horse to watch out for?
We have some lovely horses in at Liz’s for the season ahead but a horse called Cairn Hill stands out amongst the bumper horses.
What was the best day of your racing life?
It would be hard to pick one but the two best days so far was when I had my first point-to-point winner at Grennan aboard Tinnacurra which was for my dad and also last month at Punchestwon when I rode my first track winner for Liz.
Who’s your biggest influence?
My dad rode in a few point-to-points and has always been a great help for me with my riding.
What improvements would you like to see to in point-to-points?
I think it would be great if they could have older mares’ maidens throughout the season so they aren’t always taking on the geldings’.
Ambitions For this season?
I would like to try and get as many rides as possible throughout the season both in point-to-points and on the track.
To read about some of our other featured riders this season click on the link below.
18yo Sean O'Keeffe who was in the winners enclosure at Knockinroe P2P last Sunday is the latest novice rider to to feature as part of our #NextGen feaure profiling the next generation of P2P Jockeys.
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) November 28, 2017
Read it here %u27A1%uFE0F https://t.co/8y6O0csnhX pic.twitter.com/moyzjK4qb4
