Jamie has the sport of kings in his blood
Questions and answers with one of our top jockeys
WHAT WAS your childhood ambition?
Being brought up on a farm, I just wanted to do something with animals and play sport, fairly simple or so I thought…
Growing up, who was your sporting hero?
I loved all sports, so whatever sport was on at that time, I’d be out playing, trying to be Richard Dunwoody, Tiger Woods, Eddie Irvine, Paul McGrath, Larry O’Gorman and so on.
Do you have a mentor?
The voice inside my head.
What sparked your love of racing?
I was brought up with horses. Dad rode as an amateur and had great days on a horse called Phillipintown Hero, trained by Kitty Woods, so it was a natural thing for all my family to be involved with ponies and then racing.
What was it like to ride in your first race?
I rode a mare for dad called Even Choice when I was 17 at Kinsale point-to-point. It was a two-day meeting and she ran both days. Slipped-up the first day and pulled-up the next. I loved every single second of it.
What horse put you on the map?
Killultagh Thunder was my first winner on the track at Leopardstown at Christmas for Willie Mullins. We beat Davy Russell and Philip Fenton in a close finish. Charlie Swan shook my hand after the race and said well done. Magic.
Describe the feeling of riding your first winner? Like eating chocolate, I just wanted more. What is your favourite horse?
Cause of Causes, we had three wins at Cheltenham and came second in the Grand National at Aintree in 2017 – an absolute hero.
What is your most memorable racing moment? Cause of Causes finishing second in the 2017 Aintree Grand National. Nobody else will remember it, but it was my greatest racing day. The whole occasion was unbelievable and, bar the result, it was the perfect race for me. My horse was as brave as a lion and left everything out there – an amazing day. (Winner was One for Arthur, trained in Wexford in his pointing days by Liam Kenny, Craanford.)
If you could ride one horse, what would it be? I was always fascinated with Desert Orchid when I was younger. I think it was his style of running and grey colour. He wore his heart on his sleeve every day and I love that.
What is your favourite racecourse in Ireland? Punchestown for the big days but I love riding winners at Wexford.
If you weren’t a jockey what would you be? Broke (farmer).
How do you cope with pressure?
It all comes with experience. It’s way easier now as you appreciate life more as you get older.
How long does it take to learn race-riding tactics?
Like anything, the more experience you get, the better you get. You need to cut down on making mistakes.
What mental preparation do you do for the big days?
If you can be happy in life, mental preparation is very straightforward. Keep things simple and if you’re good enough on the day, it will happen.
How do you deal with dips in form?
I come home to my wife and two girls and the dip goes away fairly quickly. Also, it does gets easier with experience.
How do you stay motivated?
Riding good horses for good trainers. Slow horses would break your heart.
Outside of racing, what is your favourite sporting moment?
Tiger Woods winning the Masters after all his troubles.
Can you give us a Netflix/film recommendation?
I’m flat out rocking the Disney channel at the moment; the old Lion King is savage!
What is your guilty pleasure?
Meringue with cream – heaven!
Desert island discs – name your favourite three songs?
I would genuinely listen to most music, so no real favourite. I’ve been to see Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Christy Moore; so, as you can tell - I’m simple enough.
What person do you admire the most and why? Mam and dad gave me every opportunity to become whatever I wanted. We lacked for nothing growing up, so hard to go past them. I’m lucky to have them.
Favourite dinner?
Whatever mammy’s cooking.
What or where is your happy place?
It doesn’t happen often, but when my phone stops ringing, and the world slows down. Family time is savage.
What ambitions do you still have?
Your health is your wealth so just to keep kicking. What is the hidden gem of Wexford?
Our coastline, it’s beautiful.
When you think of your home what immediately springs to mind?
We milk cows, so ‘shite’.
How are you occupying your time during the Covid-19 restrictions?
Busy on the phone, minding kids, and looking after horses at home.
If you had one piece of advice for everyone during these worrying times of Covid-19, what would it be?
The sun is shining, walk the legs off yourselves and eat healthy. Both these things will keep people active both mentally and physically.
If you were to go back to when you were 20 years old and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
Never look back, that’s the road I came, and I can’t or wouldn’t change any of it.
Favourite saying/quote?
‘If you’re not in you can’t win it’ - So keep at it.
Thanks for her help with this feature to Barbara White, PR and Events Manager at Horse Racing Ireland.