Image © Healy Racing
Name: Harry Goff
Age: 18
From: Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Harry Goff had a day remember as he rode his first winner on Justatan at Monksgrange. It was a real family affair as Justatan is owned by his mother Catriona and trained by his father Mick.
Harry Goff had a day remember as he rode his first winner on Justatan at Monksgrange. It was a real family affair as Justatan is owned by his mother Catriona and trained by his father Mick.
How did you get involved with horses?
I started with ponies at home growing up, I didn’t do any hunting or that, it was straight to the racehorses!
When I was in school I would help out at weekends and days off. Every Wednesday we used to have a half day so they used to leave one or two horses for me to school down the strip when I got home.
When I was in school I would help out at weekends and days off. Every Wednesday we used to have a half day so they used to leave one or two horses for me to school down the strip when I got home.
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
It was a horse called Pike Man, he was a point-to-pointer in the yard.
Do you work full-time?
I work full-time in the yard at home, it's grand working with Dad, he’s fairly manageable!
When we are quiet mornings at home I've started going to Jamie Codd for schooling and riding work.
How did the ride on Justatan come about?
How did the ride on Justatan come about?
It was through Michael Sweeney really, he’s like my agent! He said to Dad to let me have a go as he was going to be riding at Quakerstown so it was between the two of them.
I had been riding him out for the past month so I knew him well, he’s a great jumper and is a lovely spin. He’s a very easy-going horse.
I had been riding him out for the past month so I knew him well, he’s a great jumper and is a lovely spin. He’s a very easy-going horse.
Do you know what the plan for Justatan is now?
If he’s not sold, he will go for another winner's race.
Did you get some kick out of riding your first point-to-point winner?
Yeah, I did it was brilliant. I was only beaten by a head in the four-year-old race beforehand, I was disappointed to be so close so to get my first winner in the next race was unreal.
Were your family there on the day?
Yeah, they were all there, friends and family.
Ye had a busy day with a lot of runners between Monksgrange and Quarkerstown, does it bring a bit of pressure riding and helping?
We had loads of help with us and there's always someone around to help out at a point-to-point.
Is there someone that you regularly seek advice from?
Michael Sweeney has taught me a lot of the basics. There’s a lot of jockeys around here that school and ride work so there’s plenty of them to learn from.
Jamie Codd has been very helpful giving advice and I'm very thankful for that.
Have you done the progression schooling course at RACE?
Yes I did, Derek O'Connor advised me to keep my hands quiet when schooling so I've been working on that.
I found the course very beneficial and I would see Derek as a very good mentor since doing it.
I found the course very beneficial and I would see Derek as a very good mentor since doing it.
Did you walk the track with someone?
There was about ten of us who walked the track together!
What’s the best advice you have been given?
Keep your body in the oven and your head in the fridge! I’m not too sure who said it but I heard it when I was getting my license at RACE.
Was it always your plan to take out your license?
Yeah especially in the last few years, I’ve really wanted to take out my license.
My parents encouraged me to finish school first so when I had that done I went and got my license.
My parents encouraged me to finish school first so when I had that done I went and got my license.
What are your ambitions for the remainder of the season?
To tidy up my race riding and get stronger in the saddle. Try get more experience and learn as much as I can.
Who has been your biggest influence in racing?
When I was younger it was Shane Fitzgerald, he was in the yard a lot. I always thought he was cool and I wanted to ride like him.
From going to point-to-points it was Jamie Codd, Barry O'Neill and Derek O'Connor that I looked up to. They are exceptional riders and have raised the standard.
Do you want to add anything else?
Thanks to anyone who has supported me and given me opportunities. And everyone in the weigh room who congratulated me. It was an unreal day!
