Flanagan talks of his American experience Sean Flanagan recorded his first winner of the season aboard Railway Zira at Punchestown on Saturday, and it was a welcome return to the No 1 berth in his native land after he enjoyed a successful stint in America. The Wexford native, was only beaten by two in the American National Steeplechase Association's Championship, going down to Northern Irishman Paddy Young. Speaking about his decision to go to America and his experience there, Flanagan said: “I only had three winners in Ireland last season, my lowest tally effectively since I started. "Then out of the blew I got a Facebook message from Ross Geraghty. I hadn’t seen Ross in years, and while we knew each other from the weighing room, we weren’t close friends. "Ross had being going really well in the USA and he had a proposition for me. He said that he had seen things were quiet for me in Ireland and he explained that Jack Fisher, a leading jumps trainer in the US, had a job opportunity. "His main rider Willie Dowling had been stable jockey for eight years but he was nearing retirement. "Ross explained that I might be able to share duties with Willie before eventually replacing him. "I rang Ross straightaway and got my three month visa to work at Jack’s place at his beautiful ranch in Baltimore. "The first day I rode there, Willie broke his shoulder and retired immediately so I was catapulted into the main job. "My girlfriend came then over and she liked the lifestyle. Essentially I work from 6am to 11am, riding out, and then that is it for the day. "However what is different is that I leave on Wednesday or Thursday on a train to ride on the Saturday wherever that may be." Flanagan went on to discuss the difference between jumping racing here and in America, adding; "The fences have more give in America and tactics are another thing altogether. "Riders tend to go steady for much of the first half before quickening, as the horses in the main there are flat bred and are ridden like doubtful stayers. "Some of them do stay though, and I have won five times by going off in front and establishing an early lead. "Winning the Queens Cup, a $30,000 race on Brave Prospect was the big highlight. "The season over there is pretty much from March to November, and I have yet to decide whether I will return for the coming season." Quotes, in the main, taken from The Irish Field
