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Next Gen | Michael Sharpe

Image © Healy Racing

Name: Michael Sharpe

Age: 19

From: Caragh, Co. Kildare

It was a memorable day at Durrow for Caragh native Michael Sharpe who registered his first winner between the flags aboard the Sonny Carey handled Asphalt Cowboy.

How did you get involved with horses? 


I started off riding ponies when I was younger. Then, when I was about twelve-years-old, I went up to Sonny Careys. Where he trains would be fairly local to me.

Sonny has taught me an awful since joining him.
 

Do you work at Sonny’s full-time?

I am yeah, I’m in there full-time with Sonny.
 
Did you go straight from school to Sonny’s?

No, I left school in third year and then went to RACE. I was in Barry Connells for a year after that and I went back to Sonny then. 
 
What sparked your decision to go RACE?

My mother wouldn’t let me leave school without something behind me. So, it was either RACE or finish school and I didn’t want to do that! It was an easy decision!
 
How did you begin working at Sonny Carey’s? 
 
When I finished in RACE, Sonny said there would be a few spins available in point-to-points and over the summer months as well, so I took him up on the offer and went back working with him.
 
How did the ride on Asphalt Cowboy come about? 

Yea, it was always the plan to ride him. Sonny said he would find me a nice pointer and in fairness he did. We only got him only two weeks ago. 
 
Do you ride him out at home? 

Yeah, myself, Mikey O’Sullivan and another lad in the yard ride him out every day between us.
 
What is he like at home?

He's a real bus so he is!
 
It was his first run for the yard, were you expecting a big run?

We weren’t really to be honest. It was a spin and more practice for me really.

It was a surprise but a nice surprise to get!
 
Did you get some kick out of riding your first winner? 
 
Yeah, I did, it was brilliant.
 
Were your family there on the day? 
 
My mother and father were there on the day, so it was great.
 
Are your parents from a “horsey” background?

They wouldn’t really be from a horsey background.

But my mother's uncle was a jockey. He was a flat jockey, Willie Burke was his name.

He won the Irish Derby and 2000 guineas on a horse called Santa Claus. I never met him, but I would have heard plenty of stories about him. 
 
Is there someone that you regularly seek advice from?

Sonny would be very good for advice and J.J. Slevin is very helpful also. J.J. rides for Sonny on the track and would ride work with us.
 
Do you know what the plan for Asphalt Cowboy is now?

We will wait and see what Sonny thinks, he will probably stay point-to-pointing, most likely.
 
What are your ambitions for the remainder of the season?

Ride away, improve and get better.
 
Was it always your plan to take out your license? 

Yeah, it's always been the plan from the beginning.
 
What’s the best advice you have been given?

Probably, surround yourself with the best people you can.
 
Have you any interests/hobbies outside of racing?
 
No, I  wouldn’t really to be honest, I don’t have much interest in anything else other than horses. It's all horses!
 
Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yea, big thanks to Mary Kilduff and Sonny for giving me the opportunity.
 

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