Image © Healy Racing
Conna rider John Barry is enjoying one of his most satisfying seasons in recent years, with 11 winners already on the board as the spring campaign gathers pace.
After injury ruled him out from early March last term, Barry has returned in sharp form.
“I missed a good chunk of last season," he said. "I got injured at the start of March and that was me done. So it’s nice to be back this year and going well. They’re 11 individual winners as well, which is great.”
A recent weekend double continued his momentum when he partnered Walk The Hall for Tom Dreaper at Kirkistown before scoring aboard Thermal Overload at his local track Tallow for fellow Conna native Eamonn Gallagher.
“It’s great to win at your local track. Tallow is only half a mile from home and Eamonn trains in Conna as well, so that made it extra special. I’ve had two winners for him this year.”
Unlike many riders attached to one principal yard, Barry’s success is built on a wide network of trainers across Munster and beyond.
“I don’t really have one big stable now. I ride for plenty of smaller trainers and try to help out as many as I can.”
Among those long-standing associations is Paddy Twomey, whom Barry is quick to credit as a key supporter.
“Paddy’s been very good to me. I rode a lot of his point-to-pointers when he started off. At one stage he probably had eight or ten in training for points and now he has 80-odd horses in the yard. It’s brilliant to see how well he’s going.”
Barry continues to ride out for a range of trainers, including Twomey and John Allen, while schooling regularly at Boulta and Glencairn. He also spends a day each week on the Curragh.
“I do a lot of schooling around Boulta and Glencairn and I’m in the Curragh during the week as well. You just try to keep busy and pick up the rides.”
That work ethic has underpinned a career that now stretches back two decades. Barry had his first ride between the flags aboard Watch The Major at Carrigtwohill in January 2006 and has since amassed 229 point-to-point winners, alongside 61 winners under Rules.
His most prolific campaign came in 2017/18 when he rode 27 winners and finished in the top five in the riders’ championship. He enjoyed another standout season in 2022/23 when he was crowned joint southern regional champion alongside Chris O’Donovan, while January 2024 brought up his 200th point-to-point winner aboard Locken Lady at Tinahely.
With his current position in the standings, another tilt at the southern title is firmly on his radar.
“I’d like to give it a go. I say Derek will have plenty of good ammunition as well though. He’s riding as good as ever and he’ll be hard to beat. But I’ll give it a good try anyway.”
Over the years Barry has also partnered several high-class performers in their formative stages, including Minella Indo, Commander Of Fleet and Notebook, experience that sharpens his eye for emerging talent.
One horse to have particularly impressed him this season is New Rules, an authoritative Ballindenisk winner for John Joseph Murphy who has since joined Paul Nicholls in Britain.
“I think New Rules could be very smart. He’d be the one I’d be most excited about at the minute.”
Support at home remains crucial. Barry and his wife Jess are parents to five-year-old Esme and two-year-old Beau, and the proximity of much of his riding commitments helps maintain a good work-life balance.
“I’m lucky most of where I ride out is only 15 or 20 minutes from home. That makes a big difference.”
Barry’s younger brother Brian joined the paid ranks before Christmas and recently partnered his first winner since turning professional at Naas, a milestone that brought added pride.
“It’s brilliant for him. Hopefully he’ll kick on now.”
Two decades on from his first spin at Carrigtwohill, Barry remains as hungry and enthusiastic as ever and continues to be one of the busiest riders on the circuit.
“I enjoy the riding at the minute and I feel like I’m riding well. As long as I’m enjoying it and riding winners, I’ll keep going.”
“I enjoy the riding at the minute and I feel like I’m riding well. As long as I’m enjoying it and riding winners, I’ll keep going.”
