Amy Lynott Gives S2S The Inside Story on her Punchestown Charity Race Experience

S2S had the chance to speak with Amy Lynnott this week. Amy rode her first race recently having competed in the charity race in the Punchestown racing festival. This race took place on Saturday the 24th April at Punchestown racecourse. Amy recently received her amateur jockey licence and was looking forward to taking on her first race at such a high profile event. We had the chance to speak to Amy after her race and to find out a bit more about the experience….

Congrats on your first race Amy how did it go?

“The race went well we came home in one piece and though we didn’t place I can honestly say that it was some of the best fun of my life.”

How did you first get into racing, what drew you to it?

“I first got into racing in 2008 when I moved to Dungarvan, Co. Waterford for a job with Glanbia (parent company of Gain Horse feeds!). One of my new colleagues there had a couple of point to pointers and I started riding out with him. The first time up the gallops I was petrified…the second time I was addicted! I then kept on riding out there and building up my galloping experience. Doing this along with regularly attending point to points I quickly became addicted. I have spent years and years showjumping so the racing was a completely different scene for me and very welcoming. I have made some great friends many of whom are jockeys and all helped support me in my bid to get my amateur jockeys license.”

What was the preparation for the charity race like?

“I heard about the race from James Nolan’s sister Sally and her husband Barry O’Connor and I quickly put my name down, desperate to get a chance to ride. At that stage I was on the reserve list but tentatively started looking for a horse to ride should I be lucky enough to get in. In the meantime I started dating trainer Garry Ducey and had an ideal mount in my sights in his yard that I started riding out from early January. However just after I was told I was more than likely riding that particular horse was sold! So next I contacted another colleague of mine Mike Phillips and started riding out in his Fethard yard. Riding out at Mike’s was like Boot Camp as he quickly taught me as much as possible about race riding to help me prepare! Unfortunately ten days before the race disaster struck and my intended mount, a gorgeous horse of Mike’s was deemed ineligible due to a Turf Club rule stating he had to have had at least one track run since March 09 and he had only run in point to points! I frantically began ringing trainers begging for a horse and Michael Hourigan stepped into the breach with a horse for me for which I am incredibly grateful!”

Tell us a bit about the horse you were riding?

“The horse, Castle Major, is a bay 6yr old who has had a few point to point runs. He had also had three runs on the track. He’s by Windsor Castle and is a fun ride! He found Punchestown very exciting and was full of little bucks in the parade ring! He also thought it was very interesting when he caught sight of himself on the big screen! “

What was your favourite and least favourite part of the experience?

“To be honest I couldn’t pick a least favourite part…maybe the last 30 seconds in the parade ring when i just wanted to get on the horse and get on with it. I loved every minute of the whole experience and love the fact that I got to do it all plus it was for the benefit of a charity. It was just the most amazing feeling! I loved it so much that less than 48hrs after the race I had already written to James Nolan to put my name down for the 2011 Race!! I have really enjoyed it and am going to stay riding out in Mike Phillip’s Fethard yard a few mornings a week. It means very early starts to ride out before work but its worth it! Hopefully when Garry has a few more horses in after the summer I’ll ride out there before work too!”

What’s next for you?

“My plans are to keep riding out, to get as much experience as possible and hopefully to try and pick up a ride or two in Bumpers over the summer! I would eventually like to ride in point to points so will be keeping an ear out for a suitable horse for me to do that on and just keep building experience! My immediate source of excitement is that my showjumping mare is due to foal in 3 weeks so she will be coming back into work after weaning too and we may do some mare & foal classes over the summer! Let’s just say it is gonna be busy!”

Best of luck with your mare and foal Amy from Stable to Stable and hopefully we will see you out and about again soon!

Photographs: Iain Nash