I recently had the pleasure of a quick phone conversation with Kevin O’Ryan. The former amateur jockey turned Jockey agent and RacingTV presenter, gave me a few minutes of his time….
I started off by asking Kevin his first memory of horse racing….
As long as I can remember I have been racing. My Dad was head lad to a few trainers from Mick O’Toole through to Jim Bolger, so for as far back as I can think I have always been going racing…
Did you have a favourite horse growing up?
Has to be Desert Orchid
You are now a Jockeys Agent, how did this come about?
It was all because of Pat Smullen… I was an Amateur Jockey for Dermot Weld, having won plenty of races in my riding career. My time as Jockey was coming to an end and Pat, who had been on at me for about a year to become his agent.. I eventually agreed so Pat Smullen got his way! ( I asked Kevin to pass on our best wishes to Pat and wish him all the best and a speedy recovery)
With Irish racing switching channels, along with Kevin & Gary, I asked Kevin what can we expect from Racing TVs coverage of Irish racing?
Top class coverage with plenty of Interviews, behind the scenes stuff, some cracking racing. I hope myself and Gary can do Irish racing &RTV proud with what we bring to the channel…..
Can you give us a couple of horse’s to follow.. One National Hunt and One for the Flat season ahead?
National Hunt…. Vision D’Honneur, who is a very nice novice hurdler for Gordon Elliott, the 5 year old Vision D’etat gelding won a Punchestown 2m maiden on January 13th by 4 & 1/2 lengths
And for the flat season, I have 2 I like the look of…
Madhmoon for Kevin Prendergast. The 3 year old Dawn Approach colt was 2 wins from 2 runs in 2018, both wins over a mile and was last seen in September, winning the Group 2 Champion Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown & who could turn out to be a Guineas horse.
Japan for Aidan O’Brien. The Galileo 3 year old colt won Group 2 Beresford Stakes last season.
I finished the chat by telling Kevin, how I watched Harzand win his maiden and followed the dual Derby winner for the season. Kevin added that Harzand has a book full of top class mares and the future looks good for his bloodline…..
We would like to thank Kevin for his time and wish him all the best with Racing TV, finding the rides for his clients and to wish Pat Smullen a speedy recovery. All the best for the future.
Photos from internet (Google) ATR, Irish field, Racing Post, Jour de Galop twitter etc.. Except Japan- AOBFS(David Betts)
Interview – Rich Williams
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