Image © Healy Racing
Name: Jake Leddin
Age: 22
From: Hospital, County Limerick
What’s your background in horses?
I’m not from a racing background at all, but my father Jimmy always kept cobs, half-breds and driving ponies so I grew up among them. We still keep a lot of ponies and cobs at home. I’d say there would be twenty or more at home. I like to breed and then sell driving ponies and that. I’d be lost without my father to help me at home. My mum doesn’t really get involved with the horses, but she keeps me fed!
How did you get involved in racing?
When I was about 12-years-old, John Gleeson who was based not far from us, literally picked me up at the side of the road one day and gave me a job!
I was out in a pony and cart and he pulled me over and asked me if I’d like a job with him riding racehorses. I knew nothing about thoroughbreds but John took me under his wing and taught me everything I know. That’s what got me going. I haven’t looked back since then.
When I was in John’s, I also rode out for Pat O’Donnell and John sent me over to Flan Costello when I was 13 or 14 for more experience. That really helped me ride better and tidy me up.
Where do you work full-time?
I have worked for Charles Byrnes for the last nine months now. I ride out at Charles’ six mornings a week and then I go to Arglass stables to ride the breeze-up horses in the afternoons.
Did you do your Leaving Cert?
No, I left school when I was 15. I gave horses a break for about five years and did a four-year apprenticeship as a truck mechanic. I only went back at the horses about two years ago.
How did the ride on Just Keeps Rolling come about?
Ambrose O’Mullane and Mary Reynolds at Ardglass wouldn’t train point-to-pointers at all. They do breeze-up horses. They got Just Keeps Rolling so that I could ride him and gain experience. It’s so hard to get outside rides when you’re just starting out. Ambrose only took out his handler’s license for this horse to get me going. The owner Tom Bennett was happy for me to learn on the horse too.
Were you expecting Just Keeps Rolling to run well?
The first time I rode the horse at Turtulla back in November, he fell and I got concussion and was out for two months.
We finished ninth in January and then he ran well on his last two outings. I finished second on him at Comea and then we were third at Kildorrery last time. I knew he had a big chance on his last two runs so I didn’t want to be making any mistakes.
Can you describe the feeling of riding your first point-to-point winner?
It was everything to me, I would have dreamt of riding a winner since I was no age. It was great. It was a first winner for Ambrose too.
Were your family there on the day?
Unfortunately the family weren’t there, but I bought the video of the race for them.
Do you know what the plan is for Just Keeps Rolling now?
He will just keep tipping away in points and hopefully keep running well for me.
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
After I finished my apprenticeship, I ran into John Gleeson again and he asked if I’d go back working for him. I hadn’t planned on getting back into it full-time, I said that I’d go in a couple of mornings to give him a hand. But sure it’s like a drug, I wasn’t there a week and I started thinking about taking out my amateur license. I thought that I might be a bit too old to be starting out, but I got the license out and said that I would give it a hundred percent.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
My father has been a great help to me throughout. John Gleeson is the man who taught me everything in racing from the start and gave me my first three points rides. Mary and Ambrose have been unbelievable too.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
Ray Barron was in John’s when I started and I would have learnt a lot from him along the way. He also rides out in Charles Byrnes with me. He actually got me the job in Byrne’s. He’s good for advice.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
I haven’t time for anything but horses.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
I’d just like to get my name out there and hopefully get some outside rides. I’ll keep tipping away and be giving it my all.
Do you want to add anything else?
I’d like to thank John Gleeson for giving me the background he did, and for getting me started. A big thanks to Mary and Ambrose for doing everything to get me going and providing my first winner. I’d like to mention the owner of Just Keeps Rolling, Tom Bennett for giving me the opportunity to ride his horse.
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.
