Evan Dwan was seen to good effect when partnering the Tony Martin-trained Cle En Main to victory in the older geldings’ maiden at Ballinaboola last Sunday. The 21-year-old has ridden six winners in Ireland, five between-the-flags and a bumper winner under rules.
A spell riding over jumps in America proved fruitful for the Tipperary native as he also steered home 3 winners in a seven week period across the water last Spring.
Having been based with Pat Doyle since his schooldays, Dwan looks plenty of value for his five pound claim and could well be in more demand for novice riders’ races this season.
Next Generation | Rider
Name: Evan Dwan
Age: 21
Area: Boherlahan, Cashel.
Are you from a racing background?
My father rode in point-to-points so that’s where the interest came from. He bought me a pony when I was younger and I did a lot of show jumping growing up.
How did you become involved in racing?
Pat Doyle is only five minutes down the road and I would have started going in there when I was 10 or 11. My father rode a couple winners for Pat so that’s where the connection came about. I rode out for Pat all the way up through school.
Have you ridden out for anyone else to date?
I worked for Aidan O’Brien when I was school, I was in Ballydoyle part-time for a year. Two seasons ago I spent some time with Willie Mullins, which was a great grounding.
Who are you based with now?
I am based with Pat again now and I school for anybody else that needs me. I got my licence out back in 2014 and Pat has been very good to me since.
I rode my first winner for him in 2016 and Pat also provided me with a bumper winner in the Gigginstown colours soon after.
I have got a few good spins of Myrons this season, he won at Turtulla and hopefully he can do the job in a hunters chase.
You rode in America last Spring, how did that come about?
I spent around seven weeks in America last year. Jack Doyle got me a job over there. I had over 20 rides and three point-to-point winners.
The ground is very quick over there but in the timber races they got a lot steadier and just sprint home. It was a great experience, jockeys are scarce out there, so it is easier to get rides. I would go out again, but things are going well at the minute so I will stay put.
I must have been great to ride a winner for Tony Martin on Sunday, how did that ride come about?
Eoin O’Connell is conditional to Tony Martin and he got me the ride on the horse. We would be friends and I school a bit for his father. They liked him coming down, he is a big straightforward horse and everything went to plan.
Have you ambitions for this season?
I just want to ride as many winners as I can and stay injury free.
How about plans for the future? Would you ever considering turning conditional?
Once I’m riding winners I’m happy, but I can do light weight.
Do you think the novice riders’ races are a help to get lads going point-to-pointing?
They are definitely a help, but it’s hard to get rides in them. I have only ridden in a few of them but I have been lucky enough to ride three of my winners in novice riders’.
Is there another rider you think might be up-and-coming?
Ben Harvey is from Meath but he comes down and rides out in Pat’s at the weekends. He is a good lad to watch out for.
Any horse to watch out for?
There are a lot of young horses there in Pat’s that we like, we have a couple to run again this weekend.
Is there a trainer we should be watching out for?
Definitely Eddie Power, he rides out for Pat in the mornings and does a few of his own in the afternoons. He is very good to do them.
Who has been your biggest influence in racing or who would you look up to?
Davy Russell would be an idol of mine, he is always in the right place at the right time.
Do you do any sport outside of racing?
I used to play a bit of hurling but I stopped after I broke my leg, I still go to matches if I can and I might get back into playing.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Keep your head down and work hard.
Next Generation | Rider - Evan Dawn
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) February 7, 2019
21-year-old Evan Dawn rode his second winner of the season at Ballinaboola last Sunday and the Tipperary native talks us through his career to date here %u27A1%uFE0F https://t.co/xZkLbRzWMG pic.twitter.com/PEJdXgmHdf
