Image © Healy Racing
Name: James Costello
Age: 18
From: Athenry, County Galway
How did you get involved with horses?
My dad Anthony has always had horses. He rode in point-to-points and then trained a few pointers himself. That’s how I fell into it. I used to hunt a lot with the Galway Blazers. My dad was a huntsman with the Blazers for the last four or five years. He was always into hunting and his father before that hunted with the Clares. My mam Kathryn would have done a little hunting, she was the groom for a while. Both sides of my family are into the horses so there was no way out of it! It was a big passion growing up.
I have an older sister Milly who show jumps and a younger brother Oliver who is more into farming but enjoys going hunting too.
I loved hunting and I got the bug for more speed so we were at the racing one day and I said to my dad that I wanted to ride.
My dad knew Paul Gilligan and I started going down there to ride out. I never looked back after that, I just wanted to keep going at it.
Paul was great and got me going and started me off in pony racing. I didn’t really get many outside rides on the pony racing circuit as I hadn’t the contacts, but I had my own pony that I rode most weekends for the experience. I rode one winner at the pony racing.
The Gilligan’s train not too far from here, my dad used to drop me off on the way to work in the mornings and I’d ride out as many lots as I could. They’d bring me schooling and galloping and as my riding improved, they’d let me school one of the more experienced older horses. They taught me an awful lot.
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
It was at Gilligan’s place, I think her name was Ursula’s Bell. I was probably 11 or 12 at the time.
Do you work full-time in racing?
No. I’m still in school Monday to Friday doing my Leaving Cert. I go to the Presentation College in Athenry. I only have another couple of months to go until I’m finished and the plan is to work in horses full-time. If it doesn’t work out, at least I have my Leaving Cert to fall back on.
For about the last two years or so, when I finish school on a Friday, I get the bus up to Tony Martin’s. I ride out on Saturday mornings and then get the two and a half hour bus back home again on a Saturday evening.
How did you end up riding out for Tony Martin?
Dad knew Tony and was always very fond of him. He said it would be a great place to go and learn and gain experience. Dad organised it for me to ride out there.
Have you gained experience in other yards?
I have spent some time riding out at Gordon Elliott’s in Cullentra before I got my licence and also rode out a bit with David Broad. I’ve just been trying to learn more and pick up as much experience as I can.
How did the ride on Lyreen Og come about?
He’s been in the yard for a while. He can be a bit difficult to ride sometimes but I seem to get on with him. He’s settled down a lot so Tony left me on him. Tony said if I keep improving that he’d get me the ride on him.
Were you expecting Lyreen Og to run well?
I really liked him from the first day I sat on him. I didn’t think he’d win but thought we would have a nice run around.
Did you get some kick out of riding your first point-to-point winner?
It was a serious buzz. It’s always something that I was aiming for. It was an amazing feeling when I knew that I had plenty of horse under me to win. It was unreal jumping the last an knowing that I could win.
Were your family there on the day?
All the family were there except for my brother and sister, they were in England and unfortunately couldn't be there.
Do you know what the plan is for Lyreen Og now?
I don’t know what the future plans are. I’ll leave that up to Tony.
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
Yes, I’ve always wanted to get the license. Once I leave school, I’ll be able to go at the riding full-time and try and make a go of it. If I can get a few years riding as an amateur and get plenty of winners, I wouldn’t rule out going professional.
Have you had any track rides?
Yes, I’ve had about nine rides in bumpers on the track. Val O’Brien, who is local to us, gave me my first bumper ride at Ballinrobe on Ask Berlioz back in April 2023.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
Dad has always been the biggest influence. He rode himself so he has taught me a lot and supports me fully.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
There’s plenty of people around who are good at giving me advice. The Gilligan’s, my dad, Tony Martin, everyone I have met along the way has been good to me. Danny King in Tony’s yard has been great and so has the Broad family that I stay with sometimes when I’m at Tony’s.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
I quite enjoy hurling but with me being away at the weekends, I don’t get the chance to play.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
I’ll just keep tipping away and hopefully get more rides and gain more experience. It would be great if I could get a couple more winners.
Do you want to add anything else?
I’d just like to thank Tony for everything he has done for me so far and the owner Daniel Houlihan for giving me the opportunity to ride his horse,
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.
