The one race that Geraldine Cooper watched
WHILE Bryan was busy negotiating the tricky Cheltenham fences with Don Cossack in the Gold Cup, back home in Tralee members of his family were watching from the edge of their seats. Shortly after that epic victory I spoke with Geraldine Cooper - Bryan’s mother - to capture the reaction of a proud, Gold Cup winning mom! Here’s what she had to say.
“When he jumped the last fence and he was in front, I went in at that stage because I couldn’t watch it. I was with my family and they were all roaring at the TV. I just couldn’t believe it. I thought it was just beyond belief that at 23 he was after winning the Gold Cup. It was incredible. I actually don’t watch Bryan riding live as I get too nervous. I listen to it and
On the day itself ?
when it’s all over, then I watch it.”
“As soon as he could talk he wanted to be a jockey. I remember when they did posters for their Confirmation on what they wanted to be when they grew up - which were pinned on the wall of the church - I still recall walking around looking at the posters; I saw ones from kids saying they wanted to be accountants, doctors and firemen. And there was Bryan’s poster saying he wanted to be a jockey.”
“I remember when Bryan came home from Cheltenham in 2004 after Total Enjoyment’s win. I didn’t even want him going in the first place as I thought he was too young and they’d lose him over there. He just said to me when he got home: ‘Mom, I’m going to sit on a horse’s back and come into that winner’s enclosure someday when I’m big.’”
Bryan sure was right!
The early signs? The Inspiration?