Image © Healy Racing
Name: Shaun Greene
Age: 19
From: Skeoughvosteen, County Kilkenny
How did you get involved with horses?
My uncle Martin Greene rode a few point-to-pointers and my granny Mary owned a few horses. I started tipping away at ponies when I was four or five. I went to pony club growing up and then started riding out for Tom Mullins when I was about 12.
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
It was a horse called Arctic Light, a JP McManus horse trained by Tom Mullins.
Where do you work full-time?
I’m with Matty Flynn O’Connor in the mornings and with Brian Lawless in the evenings since August.
Before that I was riding as a conditional for Henry de Bromhead, but I got too heavy and switched back to amateur.
I also spent about nine or ten months in England with Fergal O’Brien after I finished my Leaving Cert. I saw a job advertised and applied for it and went across.
You rode a winner in England?
I had two rides over there and rode a winner at Leicester on Ede’iffs Rock for Bill Turner. It was a good experience and I learned a lot, but I ended up coming home because I got homesick.
How did the ride on Sir Topham Hatt come about?
Matty asked me during the week would I ride him in the novice riders’ race and I said I would.
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Were you expecting Sir Topham Hatt to run well?
Yeah, we really fancied him in fairness. He had run the last day and probably just needed it, but he came on a lot from that run
Can you describe the feeling of riding your first point-to-point winner?
It was a big relief to get the monkey off the back. It was a good feeling. I really enjoyed it.
How did it compare to your first track winner?
They’re both great feelings, but getting your first point-to-point winner is special. It’s something you’re trying to get for a while, so it was nice to finally get it done.
Were your family there on the day?
No, they were actually over in England visiting my dad. He works over there in engineering, so they were away that weekend. They were racing at Ffos Las on the Friday.
Do you know what the plan is for Sir Topham Hatt now?
I think they might go for a winners’ race next and then maybe next year try to qualify him for the Foxhunters the following year. He’s a nice horse.
Was it always the plan to take out your licence?
I said I’d give it a go for a few years and see how I get on. That was always the plan.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
Probably Danny Mullins. He’s a neighbour of ours and growing up watching him on the telly was a big influence.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
Brian Lawless is very good when I’m with him in the evenings and Paddy Graffin as well. I’d ask them, or even Danny Mullins. They’re all very helpful and good to give advice.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
I try to balance a bit of everything. I play hurling with Blacks and Whites and soccer with Bridge United in Goresbridge, so it’s busy enough trying to keep it all going.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
Just to tip away and maybe pick up what I can. Try to make some new connections and keep getting rides.
Do you want to add anything else?
I’d like to thank Matty, Mikey Doyle and Noel Hayes for throwing me up on Sir Topham Hatt at the weekend.
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.
