Image © Healy Racing
Name: Jayden Chute
Age: 17
From: Listowel, Co. Kerry
How did you first get involved with horses?
There were no horses in my family originally, but a good friend of mine, Dean Broderick, used to work for Tom O’Connor up the road. He asked me one evening if I wanted to go up and have a look around. I started going up every day after that. I think I was around 12/13 at the time.
Do you remember the first racehorse you sat on?
I couldn’t tell you the name, but it was at Tom O’Connor’s yard.
You’re studying for your Leaving Cert, how do you balance school and riding?
I’m studying at St Michael’s College in Listowel, the school is very good to me and, if I ever need a day off, there’s no hassle. I ride out a couple of mornings before school and whenever I can at weekends.
Where have you gained experience working with horses?
I’ve done a lot for Tom Cooper during the summers and at weekends, and I go up to Ian McCarthy’s whenever I can. I’ve also spent time with Gerry Mangan and Charles O’Brien. Tom O’Connor was the one who started me off.
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Where do you ride out at weekends?
I ride out at Ian McCarthy’s most weekends. I got in there during the summer. I get the bus up to Kildare on a Friday evening after school and come back on Saturday. It’s about three hours and 20 minutes each way.
You’ve had the chance to look after some good horses at Tom Cooper’s and travel to Cheltenham with them. What was that experience like?
It was a great experience. I went over to Cheltenham with Tom and we had two winners at the November meeting, Celestial Tune and Saint Clovis. They won a bumper each, and it was great to get the chance to look after them.
You’ve had five rides on the track. How did some of those opportunities come about?
I was in Charles O’Brien’s over the summer and a lady called Maria, who works there, helped me get in with Sabrina Harty. I rode a couple of pieces of work for them, and things went from there. My other rides were for Tom O’Connor and Katy Brown. I’ve been lucky to get opportunities through the yards I’ve spent time in.
Was taking out your licence always an ambition, and what experience did you gain pony racing?
It was always something I wanted to do. I had a bit of success pony racing over the years and rode four winners, including my first double at Broadford in Limerick. Pony racing was great experience and helped me get used to race riding.
How did you get the opportunity to ride What Path on your point-to-point debut at Castletown-Geoghegan?
I go into Gerry Mangan’s whenever I can, and he’s been very good to me. I’m grateful to him and the owners for giving me a chance on a horse like What Path so early in my career. We finished third on our first day together.
Were you confident going into your second ride on him at Rathcannon?
To be fair, I was confident enough. He probably needed the run the first day, and it gave the two of us a chance to get used to each other. He had that run under his belt the second day, and he’s a very good horse.
How did the race unfold for you?
The plan was to jump out handy, but there was plenty of pace, so I dropped in. Two horses went on in front and it fell into my hands. When I asked him, he was there for me, and I knew approaching the second-last that I had them covered.
What did it mean to ride your first point-to-point winner on just your second ride?
It was a great feeling and a weight off my shoulders. It shows you that you can do it. It doesn’t happen that quickly for everyone, so I’m very thankful to the lads for giving me the chance on a horse like him at such an early stage of my career. Hopefully there’ll be a few more.
Were your family there to see it?
They were. My family and friends were all there, which made it even better.
Do you know what the plan is for What Path now?
I’m not sure yet, to be honest, that will be up to Gerry.
Who has helped and influenced you most in your racing career so far?
There have been a good few. Tom O’Connor started me off and showed me everything. Dean then helped me get into Tom Cooper’s, and Tom has been very good to me, putting me up on better horses for schooling and riding work.
Kevin and Gavin Brouder have been a great help too, giving me confidence and helping me with my riding and style.
Who do you turn to for advice?
Kevin and Gavin Brouder would be a great help. Gerry has been very good too, putting his faith in me and telling me about the horse. Brian Cooper has also been a massive help. He’s been there and done it, and he rings me with advice.
Have you any interests or hobbies outside of racing?
I’ve played a lot of soccer and football, and I play a good bit of pitch and putt. I’ve had some success at pitch and putt over the years, but horses take up most of my time now.
What are your ambitions for the remainder of the season?
I’d like to get as many rides as I can, get my name out there, keep my head down and keep working. Hopefully things will pick up. It’s great to have the first winner on the board.
Have you decided what you’d like to do when you finish school?
I’m in the middle at the moment. The buzz of riding the winner has given me the drive to keep going, but we’ll see how things go. College wouldn’t be a bad option either, with the future in mind.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I’d like to thank my parents, especially my mother Valerie, who has driven me up and down the country for years. My dad Gerard has been a great help and has followed me too, and my nan, Ann Brennan, has always supported me.
I’d also like to say a big thanks to Gerry and the owners of What Path for giving me the opportunity so early. I can’t thank them enough.
I’d also like to say a big thanks to Gerry and the owners of What Path for giving me the opportunity so early. I can’t thank them enough.
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.
