Image © Healy Racing
Gerry Mangan celebrated his first point-to-point winner as a handler with his second runner of the campaign when What Path landed the novice riders’ open at Rathcannon on Sunday.
The victory was a double cause for celebration, as the nine-year-old also provided 17-year-old Jayden Chute with his first winner on just his second ride between the flags.
Former jockey Mangan, who previously trained alongside his father Michael, was pleased to give the Listowel teenager an opportunity aboard the John Griffin-owned gelding.
“It’s great to get the first one out of the way, and great for Jayden as well,” he said.
“He’s local to me and comes in and gives me a hand riding out, so it was nice to give him an opportunity.”
What Path had been a consistent performer for the family last season, winning three times under Michael’s name. He finished third on his first start for Gerry at Castletown-Geoghegan earlier in October, again under Chute, before going two places better at Rathcannon.
“He won three times last year and, from eight or nine runs, I don’t think he was out of the first four. He’s a very consistent old horse. You’d love a couple more like him.
“He came out of the race 100 per cent and the plan is to go to Fairyhouse for the hunter chase. He’s good over the banks too, so we might look at a banks race in Lingstown after that. He was second in one last year.
“You’d have a bit of a dream that, if we could get to Cheltenham with him, it would be great to have a runner over there.”
Mangan, who rode 115 point-to-point winners during his own career in the saddle, has recently taken out his trainer’s licence. Potters Queen became his first track runner at Cork on Sunday, where she pulled up in a mares’ maiden hurdle.
“I’d been putting it off and putting it off, and I just needed a push to go and do it. I had a couple of nice horses to run on the track, so I said I’d go and do it.
“Potters Queen ran at Mallow on Sunday and pulled up. I said it couldn’t get any worse than that, so it’ll have to improve!”
Based on the family’s 120-acre dairy farm in Knocknagoshel, County Kerry, Mangan combines the horses with farming. His father remains involved, while his 18-year-old daughter Chloe and 12-year-old son Ryan also lend a hand.
“We’re here at home on the family farm and we’re dairy farmers as well, so it all ties in. Everyone helps everyone around the yard.
“I do most of the schooling myself. Ross Sugrue and Kevin Brouder give me a hand, and my cousin Caolán comes in after school or at weekends. My brother helps out too, and Ryan actually rides What Path a lot of the time.”
Mangan has around ten horses in the yard, including a number for the track and a group of three-year-olds being prepared for the spring. What Path is his only point-to-pointer for the autumn.
He is happy to keep the operation small for now, with producing point-to-pointers to sell remaining a central aim.
“Getting staff is the biggest problem down this side of the country. If you expand, you need staff and there are headaches with that as well.
“You’d never refuse a horse, but I’m happy enough with what I have at the moment. The pointers and selling are still the main aim. If you can keep moving a few of them on, you can stay in the game.”
Mangan reached his century of point-to-point winners aboard Barnahash Rose at Dromahane in March 2014. He believes riding for a range of trainers helped prepare him for his new venture.
“Everywhere you went, they did things differently. You keep your eyes open and see how different trainers manage different horses. Over the years you gather information and then try to put what you’ve learned into play.”
He also spent more than a decade working on and off with local trainer Tom Cooper, for whom he rode winners during his riding career.
“I use his gallops and he comes to my place sometimes, so it works well. Everyone helps when you need it.”
For now, Mangan is happy to keep the operation ticking over and enjoy the days that horses like What Path can provide.
“If you can keep your head above water and, hopefully, What Path can be competitive in the hunter chase at Fairyhouse, that would be great.”
