Next Generation | Rider
Name: James O’Reilly
Age: 26
Area: Carrignavar, Co. Cork.
James O’Reilly is the latest rider to feature in our Next Generation feature following his first success in Ireland between the flags at Mainstown, aboard the James Dullea-trained Itscatrionaschoice in the six-year-old and upwards geldings’ maiden for novice riders.
The 26-year-old has been based at James Dullea’s yard for the last two years, so was delighted when he steered home a winner for the Co. Cork handler on Sunday.
The Cork native has already ridden five winners from 34 rides in English point-to-points, during which time he rode out for North Shropshire handler Shelia Crowe.
O’Reilly was seen to good effect on Sunday, with his mount rallying well in the closing stages to score on the line, and with plenty of experience under his belt, he certainly is a name we could be hearing more of in the future.
Are you from a racing background?
I don’t have much of a racing background, I started off in showjumping when I was about seven or eight and I competed in showjumping up until I was about 17.
My father would have a big interest in buying and selling ponies and my brother and I would always have helped him break them and get them going.
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How did you get started in Racing?
My brother would have done a bit of point-to-pointing so that’s where the interest came from. I started off riding out for my neighbours Denis and Sally O’Herlihy, they would have always kept a few point-to-pointers, but they don’t train anymore.
I also would of rode out with Johnny Callahan, another local handler.
Have you ridden out for anyone else to date?
My good friend Jerry McGrath rides out for Nicky Henderson in England and set me up over there for nine months when I was about 19, during that time I gained some really good experience.
Then North Shropshire handler, Shelia Crowe got in contact with me as she needed an amateur at the time and asked me if I would come join her team.
I spent two seasons with her and during that time I rode for her and outside handlers in point-to-points in England.
I had five winners out of 34 rides over the two seasons, so I gained plenty of experience.
Where are you based at the moment?
I go in and ride out for James Dullea in the mornings and then in the afternoons I ride out for Johnny Callaghan. I also ride out with my first cousin Jason O’Reilly, who had a winner at the weekend.
What is your earliest racing memory?
One of my earliest memories would have to be watching Moscow Flyer racing. He was a great horse and I used to love following him, he took my eye and that’s when I first fell in love with racing.
You were delighted with your win on Sunday?
I was over the moon, it was a long time coming, I was very grateful to James (Dullea) for giving me the ride.
We definitely thought that he had a chance, I schooled him during the week and he had the best form going into the race, so thankfully on the day things went our way.
Have you ambitions for this season?
I would like to ride as much as I can and try and get more opportunities riding in races which hopefully would lead to getting more winners.
What do you think about the opportunities for novice rider’s in point-to-pointing?
I feel this year in particular there seems to be a good selection of novice rider races which is great as it gives us more of an opportunity to get going.
What is your favourite track to ride at?
I love riding around Ballindenisk, its my local track and it’s a dream of mine to ride a winner at Ballindenisk.
How about another rider you think might be up-and-coming?
David Mulcahy from Midleton, he is very dedicated and would be a rider to watch out for.
Who has been your biggest influence in racing?
Johnny Callaghan has definitely been a great influence on my career, he’s always great to give good advice and I am learning something new from him every day, which is what you need.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Keep your head down and your mouth shut, and the opportunities will come your way.
