Image © Healy Racing
Name: Max Farrell
Age: 18
From: Robertstown, County Kildare
How did you first get involved with horses?
My family would always have been around horses. My father, Glenn Farrell, and my grandfather Martin always had horses and ponies at home and were involved in hunting with the Ballymacads. I grew up riding ponies at home, but we were never really involved in racing.
When did racing come into it for you?
It’s only recent enough. I didn’t actually sit on a racehorse until about a year or a year and a half ago. Arthur Moore’s was the first yard I went to, and that was the first time I ever rode a racehorse. Before that I’d only ever been on ponies and hunters.
What made you take that step into a racing yard?
I was at home one summer riding and I’d seen a few videos of thoroughbreds and thought I’d like to try it. Myself and my cousin Lorcan went over to Arthur Moore’s and asked if we could get a job riding out, just to see if we’d like it, and it just progressed from there.
You’re now based with Sonny Carey – how did that come about?
Sonny’s yard is beside Arthur’s, so I started riding out a few in there as well. I got on well there and liked it, so I stayed. I’ve been there full-time now for about a year and I’ve learned a lot. Sonny and his wife Mary have been very good to me.
Who has helped you most along the way?
Sonny and Mary have been a big help, and Niall Madden as well. He’d look at races with me and give me advice. Mikey O’Sullivan is the head lad in the yard and he’d be a big help to me, just telling me to stay calm and be patient. I’ve learned a lot from all of them.
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You didn’t come through the pony racing route or have a long background in racing – has that made it more difficult?
Yeah, I suppose I don’t have the same experience as a lot of lads. I never did pony racing or went racing much growing up. I’m only in it a short enough time, but I’m learning all the time and getting more experience with every ride.
Tell us about getting the ride on Cebu City.
At the start I was getting rides just to learn on and get the basics right. I rode a horse of Sonny and Mary’s called Hutchie a few times.
Then I got on Cebu City at Castletown Geoghegan and finished third on him, which was my first proper run round. He’s a safe jumper and a good horse to learn on, so I was delighted to get back on him again at Stowlin.
Then I got on Cebu City at Castletown Geoghegan and finished third on him, which was my first proper run round. He’s a safe jumper and a good horse to learn on, so I was delighted to get back on him again at Stowlin.
Did you go to Stowlin thinking you had a chance?
He had strong form, finishing third and fourth in hunter chases, so we always knew he’d win a point-to-point. It was just a matter of when, and thankfully it happened on the day.
Can you put into words what it felt like to ride your first winner?
It didn’t really hit me until I got off the horse. It was unbelievable. I couldn’t believe it to be honest, just a great feeling.
At what point did you think you had the race won?
Going to the third-last I thought the other horse, Special Protector, was going better than me, but after we jumped it my lad picked up. From the second-last I knew I had a good chance, and once I got over the last safely I knew I had it.
You were very much doing it on your own on the day – no big team around you?
Yeah, I walked the track by myself. Rachel Robins brought me up in the box and I had a chat with Noel Kilduff, Mary’s father, and he gave me a bit of advice, which helped. But I was more or less on my own.
My family couldn’t make it and Sonny wasn’t there either, so it made it a bit different.
My family couldn’t make it and Sonny wasn’t there either, so it made it a bit different.
When did you decide to take out your amateur licence?
I was schooling and galloping away at home and went to watch a few point-to-points. I said to myself I’d love to ride in one, so I took out my licence and gave it a go. I’m glad I did now anyway.
What experience have you gained in other yards?
I spent a bit of time with Arthur Moore at the start and also got experience in Charles O’Brien’s, where I was doing plenty of riding out, galloping and schooling through the stalls on the Curragh. But most of my experience has come with Sonny.
Who has been your biggest influence in racing?
On the track, I used to watch Ruby Walsh. And in point-to-points I’d watch Derek O’Connor a lot. He’s tall like myself and I’d try to learn off him, the way he rides and goes about things. I’ve done a couple of schooling days with him through RACE as well and learned plenty. He’s a genius over fences.
What are your ambitions now?
Just to keep the head down and keep learning. Hopefully get a few more rides before the end of the season and build on it next year, maybe get some opportunities on the track and see where it takes me.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
I do a bit of boxing. When I was younger I boxed at Leinster level, but I drifted away from it when I started working. I’m getting back into it now again.
Do you want to add anything else?
I’d just like to thank Sonny and Mary for all their help, Niall Madden and Mikey O’Sullivan, and the owner Daryl Deacon for giving me the opportunity to ride Cebu City. I’m very grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way.
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.
