Image © Healy Racing
Name: Tessa Condon
Age: 22
From: Curraglass, Co Cork
How did you first get involved with horses?
There is a lot of racing in my family. My uncle Mike Condon was a very good point-to-point jockey, but he had a career-ending fall. His son Davy Condon is my first cousin, and my brother Richie is also a jockey.
There are an awful lot of trainers around where I'm from in Cork, so horses were always around me. I did a lot of hunting with the Conna Harriers when I was younger. I never did any pony racing or showjumping, but I hunted a lot of ponies for other people and for the huntsman.
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
It was a mare at Eudora O'Connor's place. I can't remember her name, but I was only trotting her around a field. I hopped up on her, trotted around the field and never looked back.
You recently graduated from college. What did you study, and what are your plans now?
I did a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science in Waterford, so I'm a professional farmer now!
I graduated on the Friday before I rode my first point-to-point winner, so it was a great couple of days.
I'm not planning to use my degree for the time being. I want to give the horses a good go while I can, and the degree will always be something to fall back on.
Where are you currently working, and how did you get involved with Philip Fenton and Aidan Fitzgerald?
I'm four days a week with Scobie Fitzgerald and two days with Philip Fenton.
I do a lot of work at the store and foal sales, and I was working for the Bleahens when Scobie came around looking at horses. I asked him if there was a job going, and he told me to ring him the following week. I rang him, rocked up to his yard around July time, and that was it!
I've been with Philip for just over two years. When I was in college, I was living in Piltown, and his yard was close to me. I used to go in three mornings a week to ride out before heading to college. He was very good to me, so I decided to stay with him after finishing college.
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Have you worked in many other racing yards?
Liam Burke's was the first racing yard I worked in properly, and Jimmy Kelly helped me an awful lot. I had my own horse with Jimmy, and he gave me experience and got me going towards riding in point-to-points.
I've also spent time with Joseph O'Brien and Willie Mullins during the summers when the point-to-point yards were quiet. It was great experience and really tidied up my riding.
You rode your first track winner aboard Lake Chad at Clonmel on October 22nd. Were you expecting him to run so well at 25/1?
He was a bit of a surprise, although he always runs well when he's fresh, and he had been in great form on the gallops at home.
It was actually my first ride over hurdles, and there was no pressure on me going out. As long as I got home safely, everyone would have been happy. Winning wasn't really the plan, but it was lovely that it happened.
Just nine days later, you recorded your first point-to-point winner aboard Chiefs Kingdom at Lisronagh. How did that ride come about?
I had ridden him on his previous outing, when he finished third, and I was a bit worried I might not keep the ride.
When he first came into the yard, I made it my business to do plenty of schooling on him. I remember riding out at Philip's one morning and knowing Chiefs Kingdom was going to the Curragh. I drove up there afterwards to make sure I got to do his piece of work because I really wanted to ride him.
He had good form on the track, so I thought going back into a six-year-old maiden he would have a good chance.
Scobie encouraged me to keep an interest in him, and I was delighted that he let me ride him again. There are plenty of other novice riders in the yard looking for opportunities, so I really appreciated it.
Scobie has helped me hugely in the few months I've been there. He's a brilliant man to teach people, and he has improved my schooling an awful lot.
Were you confident going into the race, and how did it unfold?
He had run well on his previous outing despite the conditions, and looking at the opposition at Lisronagh, I thought he had a good chance.
He was jumping away lovely. I initially settled in behind Cal Shine, who told me he was going on, but Chiefs Kingdom jumped himself to the front at the third fence.
He was travelling so well that I didn't want to start pulling him back and interfering with his rhythm. I knew he was as safe as a house, and I was happy to let him bowl along in front.
My friend Jessica Stokes had won the same race the previous year, so I had asked her where to kick on and where to give him a breather. To be fair, she told me exactly where to do it, and it worked out perfectly!
What was it like riding your first point-to-point winner, especially so soon after your first track success?
It's all just a blur. I'd waited so long for that first winner, and now to have two, I don't think it has really processed in my head yet.
October was such a good month, and then I graduated on the Friday and rode my first point-to-point winner on the Saturday. Everything just seems to be going in the right direction, and it's an unreal feeling.
The track winner was unbelievable, but I absolutely love point-to-pointing. There's something about the agricultural side of it that I just love.
It was especially nice to do it for Scobie because he has helped me so much. You see everyone else riding their first winners and wonder if it will ever happen to you. For it to finally happen to me is just crazy.
Were your family there on the day?
No, unfortunately not. We have a dairy farm at home, and Mum and Dad had been at my graduation the day before, so they couldn't really leave the farm for two days in a row.
My parents are Angela and John, and I'm the youngest in the family. Mum was there when I rode Lake Chad at Clonmel, so at least she got to see that one.
Do you know what the plan is for Chiefs Kingdom now?
He'll keep tipping away. He was ridden out again after the race and was in great form.
The plan is to go for a winners-of-one next, and then possibly a hunter chase.
Was it always your ambition to take out your point-to-point licence?
I've always wanted to do it. I knew that if I never gave it a go, I'd look back when I was older and wonder why I hadn't taken out my licence. It was something I always wanted to achieve.
Who has been the biggest influence on your racing career?
I look up to Philip Fenton an awful lot. He was an unbelievable amateur jockey, and if I could ride half as well as he did, I'd be going extremely well.
I also look up to my uncle Mike, who was a very good rider.
Is there anyone you regularly turn to for advice?
I confide in my friends quite a lot. Jessica Stokes, Tony Quail and Hannah Phillips are all very good to me.
The girls in the weigh room are brilliant. Everyone tries to help each other, and there's great camaraderie. We were all having the craic together at Damma House on Sunday, and everyone is genuinely delighted when someone does well.
I look up to a lot of the girls in the weigh room, too. Georgie Benson is flying, and what she's achieved is unbelievable.
Maxine O'Sullivan is another one. She's very level-headed, hardworking and just goes out and gets the job done. She's also very approachable and helpful, particularly to someone having their first ride.
Have you any hobbies or interests outside racing?
I play camogie, and I also go boxing in Tramore with Larry, who rides out for Henry de Bromhead. Quite a few jockeys go down there, including Cian Cusack and Jordan Canavan. It's very good for your fitness.
What are your ambitions for the remainder of the season?
I'd love to get as many rides as possible. It's not even about riding winners, although obviously that would be lovely.
I just want to gain as much experience as I can, keep improving and become a better rider. If the winners come, they come.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I'd like to say a huge thank you to Philip and Scobie because they've both been so good to me, especially this year.
I've never felt support like it. I've never had two people so willing to see me get on and do the best I can. Sometimes I think they want it even more than I do!
It's brilliant having two such established people in my corner, backing me all the way.
I'd also like to thank everyone who sent messages of congratulations. It was really heartwarming and showed me just how much support there is in racing and how much people genuinely want to see you do well.
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.
