Johnny Hurley has ridden 25 winners on the Cork/Waterford circuit and following a spell on the side-lines with a broken leg, the Conna native rode his first winner back at Boulta on Sunday aboard Wrong Direction.
The 24-year-old had five rides on his initial day back riding between-the-flags at Ballindensisk which yielding a couple of placings, before a book of three rides at Boulta resulted in Hurley riding his first winner since last January. The rider is clearly in plenty of demand since his return to the saddle and will be looking to beat his best previous total of 11 winners, this season.
Next Generation | Rider
Name: Johnny Hurley
Age: 24
Area: Conna, Co Cork.
Are you from a racing background?
I come from a hunting family and my uncle Martin Hurley trains point-to-pointers.
How did you become involved in racing?
I would have started riding out for Martin and Ken Budds when I was in school. I stayed to do my leaving cert and after I left, I went to Jim Bolger’s for a year and a half. From there I spent two years with Pat Doyle.
Who are you working for now?
I am currently based around home with Jimmy Mangan, the Spillane’s and Batty O’Connell.
You rode your first winner back from injury on Sunday?
I broke my leg back in March, schooling in Boulta. It was a long process to get back, since I last rode in point-to-points it would have been eight months. Luckily my weight is good, so I didn’t get too heavy over the summer.
You were doing well before you got injured, the likes of Gabriellanme and Truckin all Night were very good to you early on?
I had three winners on each of them, they were a massive help. The likes of Trucking All Night is a good open horse, he is a good spin and I learnt plenty from him. You really need the backup of the trainers like Jimmy and Batty to get going.
You won the Gain Mares’ Final aboard My Old Gold in 2017 for Declan Queally, that must have been a great day?
That was a dream come true, because the racecourse is literally beside my house. It was a race I always wanted to win, watching the like of Eoin Gallagher and James Sheehan win it when I was young. I was second in the race the year previously, so to win it then the following year was a bit special.
I would be good friends with Declan and I had ridden a winner earlier in the season for him, so it was great to get the ride.
Have you ambitions for this season, you have had two good books of rides since you came back?
I am just hoping to remain busy and get plenty of winners.
What are your plans for the future?
I would imagine I will stay amateur, I would love to get some more rides on the track.
What improvements would you like to see in point-to-pointing?
I think the more chances young lads get on open horses the better, they are the best of leapers and they would teach you plenty.
How about another rider you think might be up-and-coming?
Shane Bargery, Michael Sweeney, Adam Feeney and the likes of them are all doing well at the moment and getting plenty of rides.
Give us a horse to watch out for?
Batty’s horse Trucking Away, I was third on him at Ballynoe last Spring and he is over in England with Philips Hobbs now, I think he is a horse for the future.
Is there a trainer we should be watching out for?
Dinny Spillane is heavily involved with his father and he would be up and coming, I rode the winner for them on Sunday and I would do plenty of schooling for the Spillane’s.
Who has been your biggest influence in racing or who would you look up to?
The likes of Davy Russell, Eoin Gallagher and James Sheehan would have been lads I followed growing up.
Do you do any sport outside of racing?
I would do a bit of hunting with the Conna Harriers, my father hunts the hounds. I play hurling for St Catherine’s as well.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Keep your head down and work hard.
Next Generation | Rider - Johnny Hurley
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) December 12, 2018
Conna native, Johnny Hurley rode his first winner back from injury last Sunday and the 24 year-old discusses his career to date here %u27A1%uFE0F https://t.co/Oz538BFJ2i pic.twitter.com/6H8mpXpFnU
