Image © Healy Racing
Name: Mark Walsh
Age: 18
From: Kilbyrne, Cork
How did you get involved with horses?
I grew up around horses all my life. My grandfather, John Joe Walsh, had plenty of success as a trainer, and my father, Brendan, who also rode, took over the licence a few years ago.
My mother, Rose, rode winners as well, and my brother Darren has also ridden, so I got my licence in November and I’ve been riding since.
I did a good bit of show jumping when I was younger, but it has mainly been racehorses. I could probably ride before I could walk.
My mother, Rose, rode winners as well, and my brother Darren has also ridden, so I got my licence in November and I’ve been riding since.
I did a good bit of show jumping when I was younger, but it has mainly been racehorses. I could probably ride before I could walk.
Where do you work full-time?
I’m at home full-time. We have about 25 or 30 horses in at the moment, a mixture, most are for the track, along with a few young horses and a handful of pointers.
We also run the Kilbyrne schooling gallops, which are open to the public every afternoon, so I ride out for a number of other trainers then as well.
How did the ride on Annie Questions come about?
I was riding her at home for Pat Cronin and he asked me if I wanted to take her on loan for the season to get experience. She had plenty of experience in points and on the track, so it’s worked out well. She is owned by Pat’s son Danny.
Were you expecting her to run well at Dawstown?
That was my fourth ride on her in points. We had finished fifth and fourth a couple of times, so I was expecting a good run, and the win was even better.
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At what point did you feel you had the race won?
When we jumped the last, I knew I had a good chance. She travelled well the whole way.
Can you describe the feeling of riding your first winner?
It was unbelievable. I can’t really put it in words.
Were your family there on the day?
Yeah, my brother, my mother and my father were all there. Dawstown is about half an hour from home, so it was great to get my first winner at a local track.
What are the plans for Annie Questions now?
I think we’ll go to Loughrea in a couple of weeks’ time with her.
Was it always the plan to take out your licence?
Yeah, it was always the plan. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’ll try to gain as much experience as I can as an amateur for a few years.
Maybe down the line I could turn conditional, but for now it’s all about getting experience.
You have had a few rides on the track?
Yeah, I had five spins on Dlightofdsun in bumpers for my dad.
Who has been your biggest influence in racing?
I’d say my family, they’ve been in racing a long time. I’d look up to the top jockeys as well, I loved watching A P McCoy growing up.
Who would you turn to for advice?
My family. They all have plenty of experience. My dad is great and my mother is a big help too.
Do you have any interests outside of racing?
I don’t get much time for anything else, but I do a bit of farming as well.
What are your ambitions for next season?
To get as many rides as I can and hopefully a few more winners. It would be nice to get going on the track as well and upgrade my licence to Category C so I can ride in a few hurdles.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I’d like to thank the Cronins for loaning me the mare to get me going, and of course my family for everything they do to help and support me.
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.
