Image © Healy Racing
Name: Matt Gahan
Age: 19
From: Gorey, County Wexford
How did you get involved with horses?
I’m not really from a horsey background although my father Ollie hunted a little with the Island hunt maybe 20 years ago. I had never even been to a point-to-point before I got involved at Mick Goff’s yard.
I was always good friends with Harry Goff and back in 2021 I said to him that I would love to get up on a pony. That was the start of it. Mick and Harry taught me to ride a pony and by the third day I was on a thoroughbred cantering around, then I started jumping. A few weeks after that I was going around John Bailey’s schooling field, I was thrown into the deep end in a short space of time!
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
The first horse I ever sat on was a horse called Pike Man, an older gelding in the yard by Mahler.
Where do you work full-time?
I’m at Mick’s full-time since finishing my leaving cert. I’m in here 6/7 days a week and then I would school for Grace Kelly and any other local lads when needed.
How did the ride on The Coffey Boy come about?
The Coffey Boy only came to the yard a couple of months ago and I started riding him out. Mick said that I could ride him in a race and his owner Will Allen was happy enough to let me ride him too.
Were you expecting The Coffey Boy to run well?
The Coffey Boy had been placed fifth on debut when trained by Jimmy Kelly and he was working well at home. We expected a good run from him but was a bit worried about the ground being so wet after all the rain, but thankfully it worked out well for us.
Did you get some kick out of riding your first point-to-point winner?
It was a great day at the office! That was only my seventh ride since taking out my license last year. I’ve had a few places but to ride a winner was unbelievable.
Were your family there on the day?
My mother and father were there along with my cousin and a few local lads that I know. I have one brother and one sister and they wouldn’t be interested in racing at all.
Do you know what the plan is for The Coffey Boy now?
I’d say The Coffey Boy will be sold now. If he’s not sold, he’ll maybe go for a winners race and with any luck, hopefully I can keep the ride on him
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
Ever since I started schooling four years ago, I said I would love to ride in races. I’d see all the jockeys coming in and out of the yard and to race ride just looked unreal. I wanted to take out my license right from the start.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
When I started riding here, Shane Fitzgerald was here and he was riding a heap of winners at the time. Michael Sweeney was also around and I thought they were both unreal riders.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
Harry and Mick are great for advice, Mick has taught me everything and we get on like a house on fire. If I’m doing something wrong, Mick would make sure and tell me. All the lads who ride out here are good for giving me tips and advice along the way.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
I play hurling at the local Monageer, Bolavogue GAA Club and also like to play some soccer too.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
Hopefully I’ll get a few more rides, and a couple of winners would be lovely. It would be great to get a ride on the track too.
Do you want to add anything else?
I’d just like to thank Mick and the owner Will Allen for giving me the opportunity to ride The Coffey Boy and all the team at the yard for supporting me.
As a bonus for talented new point-to-point riders who feature in p2p.ie series of NextGen articles, Dungar Quality Oats will sponsor a special draw where one of the riders will win a cash prize of €500. All NextGen featured jockeys who have ridden their first point-to-point winner will be automatically entered into this draw. The draw will be conducted and prize winner announced at the end of the point-to-point season.
