Wexford based Herbison adds Wincanton winner

 

Herbison was back in action the following day at Ffos Las, finishing sixth aboard the Nigel Hawke-trained Blowers in a novice hurdle, before returning to Ireland later that evening to continue her work on this side of the Irish Sea.

 

While she continues to return to Britain for selected track rides, Herbison has been based in Ireland since the summer of 2024, having initially planned to spend just a few weeks here.

Now settled in New Ross, County Wexford, she has focused on gaining experience within the Irish point-to-point sphere, while maintaining long-standing connections on the track in Britain.

 

Born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Herbison moved to Somerset with her family at the age of six, although she remains a regular visitor to the north, where she spends time with her grandmother, Anne Herbison. Horses were always part of her upbringing through ponies and occasional hunting, while her uncle David Hillis kept a small number of foals and young stock on his farm in Randalstown as a hobby.

 

Herbison left school at 15 and went straight to the British Racing School in Newmarket, before joining the Philip Hobbs yard at the age of 16. She spent three seasons there, gaining valuable experience within a leading National Hunt operation and working closely with high-class horses, including multiple Grade 1 winner Thyme Hill.

 

“I learned loads there,” she said. “I actually rode Thyme Hill every day, which was definitely the highlight. Being around horses like that teaches you a lot.”

 

Her race-riding career began to take shape in British point-to-points, and it was during that period that she registered her first point-to-point winner, partnering Pyleigh Court to victory in a maiden at Cothelstone in April 2022. That success marked the beginning of a long-standing association with the Pyleigh horses.

 

That connection stems from close family ties with the Pudd family, who have played a central role in Herbison’s career to date.

Based locally to her at home in Somerset, Robert Pudd has provided the majority of her opportunities, with all four of her track winners and the bulk of her point-to-point successes coming aboard horses owned or trained by the Pudd family. Herbison’s mother, Tanya, is also closely involved, working for the Pudds on Fridays and Saturdays.

 

Herbison also spent time working for Nigel Hawke, who is likewise based locally to her in Somerset.

 

“Nigel and Robert are both very local to me and I’ve known them a long time,” she explained. “They’ve given me plenty of opportunities, and I’m very lucky in that respect.”

 

The Pyleigh prefix takes its name from the area where Pudd is based, and the relationship has proven especially fruitful. Herbison has since partnered Pyleigh Court to two hunter chase victories, as well as scoring under Rules aboard Pyleigh Master. Notably, Pyleigh Court, Pyleigh Master and Monty Searle are all out of the same mare, Pyleigh Lady.

 

Her first success under Rules came in April 2024, when she partnered Monty Searle to victory in a maiden hurdle at Perth. Sent off at 11/1, the ride attracted widespread attention after Herbison produced a remarkable recovery following a serious blunder at the second-last flight, briefly being thrown onto the horse’s neck before regaining her balance and driving the gelding on to score.

 

“To be honest, I thought I was a gonner,” she recalled. “But he helped me out, lifted his head and threw me back into the plate.”

 

Hunter chasing has since become an increasingly productive avenue. In February 2025, Herbison partnered Pyleigh Court to a decisive success in a hunters’ chase at Leicester, before the pair added the Wincanton open hunters’ chase victory more recently.

 

In Britain, Herbison has ridden 14 point-to-point winners from around 160 rides, a solid foundation that she brought with her when relocating to Ireland. She made her Irish point-to-point debut in February 2025, when partnering Cebu City for Daryl Deacon at Ballyvodock, and while she is still seeking her first winner on Irish soil, she has been close on several occasions.

 

Her best efforts to date have come for Sue O’Gorman, whom she also schools for, including a third-placed finish aboard Simonsberg at Ballindenisk, and more recently when finishing third on Annie Mulligan at Turtulla.

 

On arriving in Ireland, Herbison initially based herself at Monbeg with Donnchadh Doyle, an opportunity that came about through the help of friends Michael Nolan and Jonny Moore.

 

“I learned loads at Monbeg. The way the horses are trained is very different to England, and they’ve got some really nice horses. It was a great place to start.”

 

Herbison has since moved to Jim O’Neill, where she rides out in the mornings, before heading to Moses McCabe in the afternoons.

 

“It’s a really good mix. You’re seeing horses going point-to-point and to the track, so you’re learning all the time.”

 

Away from riding, Herbison has also developed a keen interest in the breeding side of the sport. She has recently purchased a couple of broodmares and already has a yearling by Order Of St George.

 

Asked about the differences between the British and Irish point-to-point systems, Herbison was frank.

 

“It’s a massive difference. The racing over here is so much more competitive. The horses are better schooled and there’s far more depth. You can really see why so many good horses come out of Ireland.”

 

Despite continuing to travel back to Britain for hunter chases and selected Rules rides, Herbison is clear that her base remains firmly in Ireland for now.

 

“I intended just to stay for a season, but I enjoyed it so much that I stayed on. I really like it over here.”

With proven success in Britain, Herbison continues to quietly build her profile on this side of the Irish Sea. Her immediate goal is simply to keep picking up opportunities, gain more experience, and hopefully ride her first winner in Ireland.