Orla Tynan

I'm from Moyglass, Co Tipperary and I had a pony at home which I rode out around the gallop at my grandfather's (trainer Matty Tynan) place. I'd see the lads riding out at home and I'd want to ride out with them. I kept asking my grandad and uncle, and they kept saying to wait a while, so I rode the ponies for a few years. Even before I started riding out, my grandad would come out with me after school every day on the pony. He taught me what to do and what not to do. He also helped me a lot when I was pony racing and he has been great in giving me that start.

I went into Evanna McCutcheon's on a Saturday each week when I was in third year and was there for a few months, and also when I wasn't in school, for a bit of experience. I rode out two or three lots in the morning there. It was good in there as I had never actually ridden a racehorse, so it built up my experience. Evanna got me going.

When I was younger, I always wanted to be a jockey or work with mares and foals - something to do with horses anyway. I did a little bit of pony racing in the summer before I got my licence. I had two of my own at home and I rode for one season. After Dingle I stopped and got my licence. It was great to get that experience and great craic, we all had fun at it. I loved it. My uncle Junior was racing one day and met Andy Slattery, and he asked him if I could go over there. Andy's yard is only 10 minutes away from my home. The week before my Junior Cert we had a week off school, and I went into Andy's that week. He said to Junior to bring me on to see if I liked it or not. I didn't leave after that! I still went into Evanna's for a bit, but then went full-time with Andy. I didn't actually finish my Leaving Cert. I couldn't give both full attention and mam said I had to pick one, so I picked racing.

I'm signed on as an apprentice with Andy. I'm in every morning and evening, then we get every second Sunday and Saturday evening off. It is a great place to learn in as all the lads are so helpful and they are trying to bring me on and improve me. I'd see my race riding improving because I'm learning off the likes of Andrew (Slattery) and Ben (Coen) who are in there, in addition to the jump jockeys in the yard as well. Andy and his assistants, and brothers, William and Brian are great at helping me. They would have ridden before which is a great help. I'm loving life there and it is so close to home which is handy. When I'm finished riding out in Andy's in the morning, I'd ride out at home in the middle of the day before evening stables.

My first winner came on Solomon Coop at Fairyhouse in May last year for my grandad. It was an unbelievable feeling. I knew I had won, but I didn't quite believe it at first. It was the first one and I wasn't used to that feeling! Class! It really drove me on as it makes you want it more when you get a taste of that feeling. The double I rode at Dundalk in January on Kitty Bear for Andy and Soldier's Tree for my grandad was a real day to remember. Getting one made me happy, but the two of them was unreal as I ride out both horses at home. Every winner is special, and you'd be over the moon, but I definitely remember those two winners. I was buzzing after the first one and then to get the second one was class. My latest winner came on Sir Allen in Navan at the end of March. He's a lovely dual-purpose horse and he gave me a great spin in Navan. He's a horse that really knows what he is doing even at home. One of the older lads rides him out at home. I asked him how he was after the run and he said he was in great form.

It was unreal to be in Andy's stable last weekend when he saddled his first Grade One winner with Fleur In The Park (in the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse). It was great for everyone in the yard and for jockey Cian Quirke who deserved it. It was also his first Grade One too. The yard has got off to a great start in the new Flat season and I'm hoping to get on some of the winners that Andy is saddling.

I've ridden five winners now. It is a bit of everything that drives me when I get up in the morning - I want to improve, get stronger, and get better. I'd like to make more contacts as well. You are always learning, nobody ever knows everything in racing. To ride winners is the big thing, though. That definitely gets your name out there when you have winners. I need to get an agent. I've had one outside ride for Jimmy Barcoe in Dundalk and the Slatterys actually got me that ride. It was Brian that said to Jimmy that I would ride the horse for him. Hopefully, I can get a few more rides now including outside rides and keep improving.

I love working in the Irish racing industry as everyone is so friendly and helpful. When you are in school, or perhaps if you are in an office job, it can be the same thing every day. There's no two days the same in racing, there's always something different every day.

Orla 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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