Image © Healy Racing
Name: Evan Daly
Age: 22
From: Dungourney, Co. Cork
What is your background in horses?
I wouldn’t have come up through ponies from a very young age like a lot of lads. I only really started riding when I was about 14 or 15.
My father Roy always had a few hunters around the place, so I would have been around horses, but we didn’t have ponies early on. I just started hopping up on them at home and that’s where I got the interest.
There is a strong family connection to racing as well. My uncle Kenneth Daly rode in point-to-points, while my grand uncles Paul Daly and Timothy Daly were both heavily involved and trained horses. My cousin Glynn Daly is riding now too, so it’s something that has always been in the background.
I did a bit of hunting with the Killeagh Harriers, which was probably where I learned most about jumping and getting a feel for a horse early on. I also had three rides in pony races, finishing second and third, which gave me a taste for it, even if I didn’t start as young as most.
At home, though, I’m the only one who followed that path. I’ve two sisters and a brother and none of them have any interest in horses at all, so I’m the only one that took to it.
Once I got the bug around that age, there was no turning back.
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
I think her name was Mrs Dibbles, that was when I was with Ken Budds. She was a real bus, a nice quiet mare and a good one to learn on.
What was your journey into horseracing?
I only really got properly involved when I was about 14 or 15. I started off going to Ken Budds while I was still in school, just riding out at the weekends. At that stage I knew very little about riding racehorses, but he brought me on a lot and gave me a great grounding.
I spent about three and a half to four years there, and that’s where I learned the basics and got used to being around a racing yard. It gave me the interest to keep going and take it more seriously.
From there, I moved to James Sheehan’s in Dungourney, which was another big step forward for me. He taught me a huge amount, especially when it came to jumping and schooling, and that’s really where I started to develop as a rider.
Since then, I’ve been working full-time between James Sheehan, Michael Kennedy and Pat Healy, and that has helped me keep progressing and gain as much experience as I can.
You spent some time in England — how did that come about?
I went over to England for two seasons just after Covid, which came about through the flat jockey Liam Keniry, who had seen me riding at home and thought it would be a good opportunity for me.
I was based in the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard and it was a brilliant experience. You’re riding different types of horses and learning a different way of doing things, and I picked up a huge amount from it.
I was lucky to be around top riders like Sam Twiston-Davies, Nico de Boinville and Tom Bellamy, and even just schooling alongside them and watching how they operate was a big help. I’d recommend it to any young lad starting out, to go and experience working and riding in a big yard.
I also got the chance to have a ride in a bumper at Stratford, where I finished third, which was another great experience.
I really enjoyed my time over there and learned plenty, but I missed home as well, so I came back and have been building things up again here since.
Where do you work full-time now?
I’m working full-time in racing at the minute. I ride out for James Sheehan in the mornings, I’d also go to Michael Kennedy’s, and I’m in with Pat Healy every afternoon.
I’d also be going to schooling days most weeks, in places like Boulta, Glencairn and Dromahane, which is great experience riding over fences and getting plenty of practice.
Between all that, you’re kept busy, but you’re learning all the time and picking up experience from different yards, which is a big help.
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How did the ride on Julie Liath come about?
I was riding out for Pat and he said he’d give me the ride on her. She had been a bit of a project as she was quite a sick mare when she was younger, so she hadn’t done a whole lot early on, but he gave her plenty of time.
He said he’d run her in Kilworth first time out and put me up on her, and she ran a cracker to finish second. From there, she was very consistent and always ran her race for me.
In fairness to Pat, if you work hard and show a bit, he’ll give you every chance. He’s very good like that and always supportive. Even when things maybe didn’t go perfectly, he just told me to keep going, so it was great to get the winner on her in the end.
Were you expecting Julie Liath to run well?
We had run her in a bumper in Mallow beforehand and Pat had said it would probably be a bit sharp for her over two miles, but that it would bring her on. She worked very well beforehand, so we knew she was in good form going into it.
Going down to the start at Dromahane, I felt if I could just get her jumping and into a good rhythm, she wouldn’t be far away. She’s a very good jumper, so once everything went smoothly, I was confident she’d be thereabouts.
Pat never puts any pressure on you either. He just lets you go out and ride your race, which is a big help, and I think that made a difference on the day.
Can you describe the feeling of riding your first point-to-point winner?
I’ve hit the crossbar a few times, so it probably made it even sweeter.
When I jumped the last and there was nothing in front of me, it nearly felt surreal. I was so used to having something around me that I almost couldn’t believe it. She just flew home after the last and I was over the moon.
It was a long time coming, but it just shows that the hard work pays off.
Were your family there on the day?
My girlfriend Daisy was there, she’s from England, and I had a few family members around as well, including my cousin Glynn Daly.
I’d also have to mention Pat and Gráinne Healy, they’ve been like a second family to me since I started there. They’ve been absolutely brilliant and I was delighted for them as much as anything.
Do you know what the plan is for Julie Liath now?
I think Pat mentioned she could go for a hunters chase in Wexford, but he also said he might give her a run in a winners’ race.
It’ll all come down to how she is after the race. Pat is very good like that, he always puts the horse first, so if she’s right she’ll run, and if not she won’t.
Was it always the plan to take out your licence?
I was thinking about going down the apprentice route at one stage as I’m light enough, I’d be around nine stone or nine stone ten, but I just didn’t really take to it.
When I moved to James Sheehan’s and started jumping fences properly, I knew straight away that National Hunt was what I wanted to do. Once I got the feel of it, there was no going back
There’s nothing like jumping at speed, that’s what really gave me the buzz.
Would you like to turn conditional in the future?
It’s definitely something I’d like to do down the line, but there’s no rush.
Pat has always said to me to take my time, get the experience and try to get a few winners on the board first, and that’s the plan for now. Mikey Kenneally would be the same, he’s always saying to just keep learning and not to rush into anything too soon.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
Growing up, I always looked up to Ruby Walsh. I remember watching him on the TV when the Gold Cup and Cheltenham were on, and just the way he rode really stood out.
Closer to home, Pat Healy has been a big influence as well. Since going there, I’ve watched back a lot of his races from when he was riding, especially the way he could ride short and get a horse jumping.
Being able to learn from him every day has been a huge help.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
I’d talk to a few people. Pat is a big help, and I’d also be in contact with James Sheehan and Mikey Kenneally.
Mikey is a good friend of mine and he’d always be helping me out. He was actually telling me how best to ride Dromahane beforehand, which was a big help, and James would be the same as well.
Even after a race, you’d go back and see if there’s anything you could have done better. You’re always trying to learn, so it’s a big help having people like that around you.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
Not a whole lot to be honest. I’d play a small bit of golf in the summer when I get the chance.
Other than that, it’d just be spending time with my girlfriend — I don’t know if going shopping with her counts or not!
What are your ambitions for what’s left of this season and for next season?
I think I’ll have a couple more rides before the end of the season, so hopefully I can finish out on a good note and maybe pick up another winner.
I’m just happy to have got the first one on the board, it took a while to come, so if I could add another before the end of the season it would be a bonus. If I can come out of it all safe and sound as well, I’d be very happy.
Looking ahead to next season, it’s just about building on what I’ve done this year, getting more rides and hopefully adding a few more winners.
All you can really do is keep improving, keep learning and try to better yourself every time you go out.
Do you want to add anything else, or is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I’d just like to thank Pat and Gráinne Healy, they’ve been brilliant to me since I came in and have given me plenty of opportunities.
I’d also have to thank everyone else that’s helped me along the way, especially Ken Budds and James Sheehan, along with all the lads I’ve worked with.
It’s taken a while to get the first winner, so I’m just grateful to everyone that’s supported me and helped me get there.
As a bonus for talented new point-to-point riders who feature in p2p.ie series of NextGen articles, Dungar Quality Oats will sponsor a special draw where one of the riders will win a cash prize of €500. All NextGen featured jockeys who have ridden their first point-to-point winner will be automatically entered into this draw. The draw will be conducted and prize winner announced at the end of the point-to-point season.
