We recently caught up with apprentice jockey Cian MacRedmond. who is based with leading trainer Willie McCreery.
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Cian MacRedmond and I am 16 years old. I am an apprentice jockey based with Willie McCreery and I am still in school. My achievements are riding my first winner on my first ride at the Curragh on Sweetest Taboo.
How did you get into racing?
I got into racing from my dad Mark who is a vet in Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital on the Curragh. When I was younger I went into work with him every Sunday and I loved going around with him to all the racing yards and stud farms and from there I went to a riding school and then when I turned 11 I went into Willie McCreery’s on a Sunday morning to help and everything just progressed from there really.
What would you change about Irish racing?
A change to Irish racing I would like to see is to have more flat meetings during the summer months.
Have you ever suffered abuse from trolls online?
Yes, I have got abuse online from trolls after my first win. I think some punters had their money on the horse that finished 2nd!
If you weren’t a jockey what would you have been?
If I wasn’t a jockey I would probably like to do something with horses. Probably something to do with the breeding side of horses like a stud farm manager or something along those lines. Non horse related I would like to be a farmer
How do you stay in shape?
I stay in shape by riding out in the mornings whenever I’m not in school. I play a lot of football with my local team Milltown. I also have hunters at home that I would ride every day and I would also go running with my dogs most days too.
Aims for the future
My aims for the future would be to get a good result in my Leaving Cert next year and hope to get into Equine Business in Maynooth University. I also hope to get as many rides and winners as I possibly can in the meantime.
Give us a horse to follow?
My horse to follow is ‘Mantracker’ trained by Willie. He’s a nice 2-year-old colt that won his maiden nicely in Killarney last week. He’s a gent to work with and he has got a lovely attitude and I think he’s a horse that’s going places.
How do you unwind outside horse racing?
Outside of racing I would unwind by walking my dogs or by golfing.
Life motto?
My life motto is “work hard in silence and let the success do the talking”.