Image © Healy Racing
Kinnegad native Kevin Healy ticked off another career first on home turf las Sunday when he rode his first point-to-point winner at Umma House on Sunday.
Name: Kevin Healy
Age: 17
From: Kinnegad, County Westmeath
How did you get involved with horses?
My granddad did a lot of show-jumping and hunting and stuff so I have been riding since I was about three years old.
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
I did a lot of pony racing so it was a Footstepsinthesand horse called Little Pop Rocket.
How many winners did you ride on the pony racing circuit?
I rode around 13/14 winners. It was a great education for me.
Where do you work full-time?
I work full-time for Simon Cavanagh as the last year and a quarter, and would ride out a bit for Ian Donohue and Harley Dunne.
How did the ride on Milan Forth come about?
My granddad Pat Whyte purchased the gelding from the Goffs UK Summer mixed sales. He owns him and Simon trains him so I got the ride.
Were you expecting Milan Forth to run well?
He was going very well at home and after his run the last day at Toomebridge when he was second, we were fairly confident that he would be thereabouts.
Did you get some kick out of riding your first point-to-point winner?
It was great, really good to get it on a local track too.
Were your family there on the day at Umma House?
My granddad and my mother were both there to watch me.
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Do you know what the plan is for Milan Forth now?
I think he’ll be entered for a winners of one next weekend and possibly go down the hunter chase route in the future.
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
Yeah it was always the plan, after riding in pony racing it was the next step for me.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
My biggest influence would have to be Simon Cavanagh, He has been very good to me and he works hard too.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
If I need any advice, I definitely wouldn’t go past Simon. I value his advice.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
I actually don’t do much outside of horses, I do some eventing and show-jumping outside of racing.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
I’d love to be champion novice rider. It’s a big goal but I just want to keep getting my name out there and picking up the rides.
Do you want to add anything else?
I’d just like to thank Simon for giving me the opportunities and my grandfather for giving me the ride on Milan Forth.
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.
