Next Generation
Name: Kieran O’Donovan
Age: 22
From: Araglen, Co. Cork
It was a day to remember for 22-year-old Kieran O’Donovan who partnered his first winner between the flags when landing the opening division of the five-year-old mares maiden at Stradbally on Sunday.
The Araglen native guided his cousin Stephen O’Donoghue’s Cailin Vic to a comfortable 9-length success over Miss McGugen.
How did you get started with horses?
I have being involved with horses from a young age, I started off in the Araglen pony club and would have also done plenty of hunting with the Kilworth and Araglen Hunt.
I got started in horse racing through my cousin Stephen O’Donoghue, I worked with him for a Summer when I was 15 or 16 and got the bug for it then.
Do you ride out for anyone else?
I am actually doing a plumbing apprentice at the moment which is Monday to Friday so I ride out at the weekends for Stephen, Terence O’Brien, Sean Allen and Des Kenneally.
I ride out for a few others when time allows.
I also train a mare Golden Ode for my Uncle Paddy O’Donovan she is a grand mare. Paddy and myself came together and he said I could have her to get my three rides for the year.
Cailin Vic had run well last season at Kildorrery, so were you confident of a better run ahead of Sunday?
I know Cailin Vic quite well as I rode her twice last season and the Donoghues actually had her mother as well and Stephen actually won a point-to-point on her, Cailin Vic Mo Cri was her name. They bred her and she has been around awhile so I know her too.
We were hoping Cailin Vic would run well on Sunday as she had worked very well during the week and we were expecting a bit of her. She won well to be fair to her, she might go for a bumper in Limerick over Christmas maybe.
It must have great to ride that first winner?
I was delighted to get my first winner on Sunday, it meant a lot riding in the colours of my cousins as they got me my first mare that I rode in point-to-points and it was nice to get my first winner for them.
I am very thankful and grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way.
What are your ambitions now for the rest of the season?
Just tip away and keep going the way I’m going and try pick up another few rides.
Is there any rider in particular that you think people should watch out for?
James Murphy and Adam Feeney they are going quite well in the point-to-points over the last few weeks.
Who would have been your biggest influence in racing?
Darragh Allen, he is a fella I would really look up to. He is another fella from Araglen, he is local fellow. He would be a big influence on me and also Davy Russell.
Darragh would often be around to give me advice, he was just telling me during the week just be confident on the mare on Sunday. He has been in the same situations and it’s great to get the advice from people like that.
Stephen is also great for giving advice and Sean Allen they have all helped me out and have given me plenty of advice. Stephen and Sean have both ridden in point-to-points so they give great instructions.
Do you anything outside of point-to-pointing in your spare time?
I play a bit for Araglen GAA and would train a night or two a week and play in matches if I can. It’s a great way to keep fit.
