Image © Healy Racing
Name: Jamie McCarthy
Age: 19
From: Blackwater, County Wexford
How did you get involved with horses?
I’ve always been around horses at home. My mother Shirley McCarthy and father David O’Brien always had them, so I grew up in the yard. I had ponies when I was younger, but lost interest and stopped riding when I was about 7 years-old. I didn’t actually start riding racehorses until about three years ago.
My dad trains now, but he would have worked in racing all his life - he worked for Mick Goff for 13 or 14 years, so he was always heavily involved. My mam rode as an amateur before I was born, and I have a younger brother, Rhys, who is pony mad at the moment. He’s only young yet but he loves being around the yard and helping out.
I was always in the yard and my mother said to me one day about giving a hand out with exercising the racehorses and I just fell in love with it again.
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What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
It was a mare called Tell Him Nuttin at home. I also had my first spin on her around Ballycrystal in December 2024.
Where do you work full-time?
I’m working full-time with Mick Goff now. I’ve been there for about seven months. Before that, I spent two years with Harley Dunne, which gave me great experience.
I also help out with the few horses that we have at home.
How did the ride on Erigmoor come about?
Dad bought Erigmoor as a horse for me to run and gain experience on. He came from Gordon Elliott’s and has been great for me to learn on. I’m very lucky to have him.
Were you expecting Erigmoor to run well?
We thought he’d run a big race. He’d run really well to finish second the week before at Damma House and we fancied him to go close again, it worked out nicely.
Can you describe the feeling of riding your first point-to-point winner?
It’s a different kind of feeling altogether. Once you cross the line, you know you’ve done it. It’s hard to put into words, but it’s something really special.
Were your family there on the day?
Yeah, my mam, dad, brother and loads of cousins and aunties were there. There was a big crowd of us!
We all went to the local pub with a few of the lads from the yard and had a great night celebrating.
Do you know what the plan is for Erigmoor now?
We’ll aim him for a winners’ race next and take it from there.
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
Yeah, once I started riding racehorses again it was always the plan. School was never for me, so when I got the bug riding again, it was all I wanted to do.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
Definitely my mother, Shirley. She had her amateur licence too and actually rode her first winner in the same colours that I wore on Sunday.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
Mam and Dad are great for advice, and the lads in the yard too. Everyone’s really helpful. We all talk through things after races, which makes a big difference.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
Not really, I used to play a bit of sport when I was younger but since leaving school it’s just been all horses.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
Hopefully ride a few more winners and get as many rides as I can. I just want to keep improving and gaining experience.
Do you want to add anything else?
A big thanks to everyone who’s helped me. Mam, Dad, everyone at home, and Mick and all the lads in the yard. Everyone’s been very supportive.
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.
