Next Generation
Name: Hannah Phillips
From: Fethard, Co. Tipperary.
It was a memorable day for 25-year-old Hannah Phillips who registered her first point-to-point winner aboard the Tom Keating trained De Nordener at Ballyvodock on Sunday.
Phillips is from a well known point-to-point family with her mother Lucy Townsley crowned lady champion in 1995 and her father Michael Phillips was the leading senior champion in 1994 and 1995.
How did you get started with horses?
I’ve always been involved in horses through my mum and dad and my family. Dad was training when I was growing up, we also had ponies at home. I did plenty of hunting, show jumping and eventing so they have always been a part of my life.
Was it always the plan to take out your licence?
No, never! It kind of just accidentally happened. I went to college and completely gave up horses for the four years I was in college, I had no interest in them.
I was planning to go travelling, I was going to go to Australia for a year but then covid hit and I ended going into Toms riding out and all just came from there really.
Where are you working?
I am riding out at Toms and then doing the few we have in at home.
How did the connection with Tom Keating come about?
Tom, is only about 20 minutes from us at home. Mum was actually doing acupuncture on some of his horses and he mentioned he was looking for someone to ride out. So Mum volunteered me up!
You mentioned that you were in college, what did you study?
Health Science with Nutrition. I’m not sure what I will do with it yet. For the time being I will stick to the horses but I do have an interest in nutrition and would love in time to set up my own business. It’s on the back-burner for now.
Well obviously the De Nordener is a horse you know well with him being your first ride and first winner.
Tom was great to give me the opportunity on him, especially as he’d never run before. So we had our first day out together, so we were lucky enough.
Were you confident heading into Sunday?
We kind of thought he had a really good chance after he ran so well at Aghabullogue when finishing second and he was in great form in the lead up to the race. He came out of his race really well and he was really fresh.
We were just hoping everything would go right on the day, and that he would improve off the run which he did.
He won really easy, he gave me a great feel throughout the race.
Did any of your family travel to Ballyvodock?
Dad came down, he goes to all the point-to-points with me to keep an eye on me. He loves it and is delighted to be back on the point-to-point scene.
Do you still do much eventing?
I haven’t done much lately, I don’t have a horse at the moment. There is half-bred mare at home that Sarah Ennis has been riding so she might be stay for the summer or she may go back with Sarah.
Have you many in at home?
There is five in at the moment, I have my own seven-year-old Califet mare in Miss Benjo, the half bred mare and three, three-year-olds.
My mare ran really well when finishing second at Turtulla we were delighted with her, it was her first run for us. The plan with her is to run at either Knockanard or Comea.
It’s great to have her, it’s hard enough starting off and getting rides so it’s nice to have my own mare there and help me get my name out.
Who would have been your biggest influence in racing?
There is so many different people but you know Rachael Blackmore did such an amazing thing last year by winning the Grand National and she has just really paved the way for girls riding. There are so many girls riding in point-to-points this year, it’s been great. There is nearly a lady rider in every single race this season!
This weekend alone there was three lady winners, Moira and I at Ballyvodock and Caoimhe O’Brien at Tyrella it’s great to see.
What are your ambitions for remainder of the season?
Just to try and keep going, I would love to get another couple of wins under my belt and just have a good season really.
Is there any rider in particular that you think people should watch out for?
Brian Dunleavy, he comes into Toms a couple of mornings, he is a very good rider with a lot of potential. He has a good few winners this season, so hopefully he will keep it going.
Do you have any other interests outside of racing?
Well eventing, I also used to play hockey competitively in school and then at club level for years but I had to give it up this year as I couldn’t commit to the training and matches as it was clashing with racing and I had to make a decision.
