Name: Daniel Hyde
From: Cashel, Tipperary
First Winner: Focus Point – Ballyvodock, Co.Cork
How did you get started with horses?
I grew up around horses, I started of riding ponies Hunting, Showing and doing Pony Club and then I started riding the racehorses out at home when I was about 12.
Do your family have a background in the sport?
My Grandfather is Timmy Hyde (Camas Park Stud) he is a well-known Breeder and former National Hunt Jockey and Showjumper, My Father - who is now a Vet and my older brother used to ride also. A few of my cousins were into eventing and show jumping and some race ride now.
What was it about racing that was the attraction?
I grew up watching a lot of racing and I thought it looked like good fun and I enjoy riding out the racehorses at home so I said I would give it a go. I am a full time Engineering student so I don’t get to ride every weekend but I will ride most of what we have running at home.
How did the ride on Focus Point come about?
We train him ourselves and I rode him on his last few starts, he wasn’t fully fit when he was second at Borris in December but still ran a big race, so I was pretty confident going to Ballyvodock, we went forward early on and he wasn’t stopping!
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
We only have three on the go at home so hopefully I will ride all of them, having the win under my belt, I will start looking for people to ride out for at the weekends and try and get some outside rides and when I am finished college I would like to go and ride out for someone who could give me a couple of opportunities.
Who would be your biggest influence in racing?
My Father and my grandfather, he holds the handlers license that our horses run under.
Is there another young rider that you think people should watch out for?
I know its an obvious one but my cousin is Harry Swan he will do well for himself, he’s flying at the moment and riding plenty of winners.
Any horses you are looking forward to watch for the rest of the season?
We were trying to get On Eagles Wings back in training, he is a former Grade 3 winner, but he picked up an injury unfortunately.
I will head over to Cheltenham for a few days of the Festival, and I am really looking forward to seeing Constitution Hill, a Point to Point Graduate and the rest of the big names at the moment.
