Finn Brickley

I'm from Co Cork and always grew up with a few cobs at home. When I was 14, I went into James Dullea's racing yard down in Bandon, Co Cork and I learned loads there. To be fair, he taught me everything that I know about racehorses and how to ride one. Any days off school, weekends, school holidays, and during Covid-19 I was riding out. He was very good and gave me loads of experience. I always wanted to be a jockey. I always used to watch the racing on the television and you would always get a buzz off it. Then when I was in James' yard, I really got the bug. I'm in Gordon Elliott's two years now. I was talking to James and asked him where would be best for me to go up the country to be in the heart of racing. He said he would get me into Gordon's. I went up there for a couple of days and I never looked back. I got a full-time job after two or three days and I'm here ever since.

I got my first winner on the track on Grannys Yaris for Nigel Slevin in a bumper at Tramore in August 2023. It was only my third ride and I finished third on her the time before that (in Ballinrobe). I used to do full days in Gordon's and go over to Nigel's at 4.30pm and we used to ride out. He was very good to me and he was the one that egged me on to take my licence out. I had a talk with him and Gordon and they were happy enough for me to apply for my licence. That first winner was like a dream - I couldn't really believe it for a couple of days until it all calmed down. My older sister was there and my friends that worked in Gordon's came down. We knew the mare had a nice chance, but Willie Mullins had the favourite in the race (runner-up Nt Field Minnesota). Thankfully, she came out on top.

I rode my first point-to-point winner a couple of months later on The Bosses Oscar for Gordon at Castletown-Geoghegan. The owner, Noel Moran, was there and it was nice to get that ride for him. He owns so many good horses in Gordon's, so it was lovely to get. He gave me a great spin and it was a great feeling. That was some buzz that day. I knocked great fun out of him, I rode him once more. Cola Blaze was a bumper winner at a big price for Nigel in Thurles (November 2023). She ran very well and gave me a great feeling that day. Memories Never Die who I won a point-to-point on in Ballinaboola (February 2024) for Nigel was a nice horse - he had good form on the track. We didn't think he would stay the three-mile pointing, but that day in Ballinaboola he gave me a great ride. He was a bit keen and I was probably in front three from home and thankfully he stayed.

Gordon came to me and said he would love to give me more opportunities as a conditional because there's only so many bumpers and Harry (Swan) is number one for those. I turned conditional last summer and I was delighted to do it. It was on my second ride as a conditional that I rode Up And Out to win a handicap hurdle for Gordon at Downpatrick (August 2024). That mare was knocking on the door for a long time and had been placed numerous times. She finally got her head in front for the owner, so it was a good day.

In Gordon's we have our work mornings which would be on a Wednesday and Friday, but it depends on what day the horses are running. Tuesday you would be going up the hill and Wednesday is probably our busiest day. During the week we could have five or six lots. It definitely brings me on riding with the jockeys in Gordon's stable. After I've had a ride, or if I'm going to ride something, I'd always ring Sam (Ewing) and, to be fair, he always gives me great advice. If he is there, he would walk the track with me. Carl Millar is very good to me as well. Carl is one of the main reasons I've done well as he helped me ever since I started. When I was point-to-pointing, I had Jordan (Gainford) who knew every point-to-point track like the back of his hand. Gordon is very good for advice - you could ring him and he would point you in the right direction. He is very fair and he is a good boss. My sister, Shelley, works in Gordon's as well. She goes racing leading the horses up. I still go into Nigel's now and again for a few bits of work. He's been quiet this season as he doesn't have that many, so he doesn't really have the work. I go in whenever he needs a hand. I go into Cian Collins a couple of days a week in the evenings to school horses whenever he rings me. I was actually on the beach for him last Sunday doing a bit of work. I do try and get my name out there. To be fair, the boys Jordan and Danny (Gilligan) would bring you away riding work.

I'd love to be able to get going this summer, maybe a bit better. I had a few injuries last season and I didn't really get a great run at it. In Kilbeggan in September, I got a bad fall off By Your Side and I was out for a bit longer. I would be hoping to get going this summer with the 15 winners or less races and get more contacts. I had a ride last Sunday in Punchestown, so we are getting back slowly which is good. I'd like to kick on with a few rides and hopefully get a few winners just to get my name out there more than anything. That would be my goal now. There is no 7lb claiming conditional in Gordon's now as Carl is down to 5lb, so to be able to use my 7lb claim would be great. I don't see working in the Irish racing industry as work. I get up in the morning and I just love riding out. When I got broke up, it was really difficult as I couldn't sit on a horse for a couple of weeks. It is very enjoyable once you have the love for it.

Finn was in conversation with Michael Graham.

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About Michael Graham

Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.

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