Name: John Kirwan
Age: 20
From: Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
Kirwan a native of Dungarvan recorded his first point-to-point winner at Loughrea on Sunday when guiding the Declan Queally handled Lord Schnitzel to victory in the six-year-old and upwards maiden for novice riders.
How did you get started with horses?
I bought a pony for handy money and I got her going doing a bit of hunting and I really started to enjoy it.
My grand uncle is Nicky Dee and he had a Beneficial mare on the go and I started riding her work and I really got the bug for the game then.
Whilst still at school I started riding out for John Kiely on the weekends, when I left school then I did a full year with John. I then got my licence to ride as an amateur.
I soon went to Declan Queally’s and I have gained a lot of experience over the years. I got some great chances on the track last year and I rode my first winner at Ballinrobe for Deccie.
Where are you based at the moment?
I have been with Declan now for two years, I ride out for him three days a week and I still do three days with John Kiely.
I’m trying to spread myself out more and give myself a bit of chance and get my name out there.
Do you ride out anywhere else?
I ride plenty of work for Margaret Flynn, Dermot O’Brien and plenty of the other local lads.
You rode your first winner on the track for Declan Queally at Ballinrobe how did this compare?
It was savage, it was a such a thrill, riding over fences for three miles, it is good craic.
I was just so lucky to get the opportunity to ride Lord Schnitzel, as he is a good horse with decent form behind good horses on the track.
From working in Declans, Lord Schnitzel is probably a horse you know well, were you confident of a big run heading into Sunday?
I was very confident going into Sunday, I know the horse very well I ride him out a good bit at home.
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What are your ambitions for remainder of the season?
Try and ride as many horses as I can, try and get another winner or two on the board.
I might consider turning conditional next season as I’m very light.
What do you think of the additional 5lb claim for riders with less than 5 winners in novice races?
I think it’s a very good addition, it’s giving young lads more of an incentive and good for the handers to give the young lads a chance and take the five pounds off the horse.
The races are being supported really well by handlers and there has been plenty of runners in the races which is great.
Who would have been your biggest influence in racing?
Nicky Dee probably would have been my biggest influence, he has been giving me a lot of advice and tips through the years.
Declan has also been very good to me, he put me up in a lot of schooling races and gave me a lot of experience on horses.
Do you have any other interests outside of racing?
I do a good bit of fishing, shooting and hunting. I don’t go as much as I’d like to nowadays as have gotten so busy with the horses but I do try and get out hunting with the Dungarvan Farmers when I have a Sunday off. I really enjoy it!
