Hear from Danny McMenamin about life as a jockey
In the second of a series of ‘behind the scenes’ articles, we interviewed Danny McMenamin recently about what it’s like to race for Nicky Richards Racing. Here’s what he had to say.
When did you first became me interested in horse racing?
I first became interested in racing when I was around 8 or 9. My family would always take me to the local races Downpatrick, and I loved going with them to watch the racing.
Was it always your ambition to be a professional jockey?
Not really. Like most young lads I was into my football and Gaelic football. With my bigger brother being semi pro I wanted to be a footballer but that quickly changed when I first sat on a racehorse. I still played football but horse riding was slowly taking over.
Were your family involved in racing?
No. My family didn’t have much to do with horses in general apart from going to the races. That’s as much as they were involved – just spectators of the sport.
When did you first connect with Nicky Richards?
Summer 2017. A family relative put me in touch with Tony Dobbin, who then put me in touch with Nicky as he suggested it would be a great place to go having spent a good part of his career riding for Nicky’s father and Nicky himself when he took over.
Do you live near Greystoke?
Yes I live quite close to Greystoke – only 5 minute drive away so very handy.
What time do you normally start when you go to Greystoke to ride out?
Monday to Friday we start at 7:30 and on Saturdays we start at 7:00.
How do you cope with early starts and then the travelling to the races?
I am good at getting up in the morning. I’m used to it now so no problem at all & same with the travelling to the races. It’s long days most of the time but used to it so doesn’t bother me.
Are you surprised how quickly you become so successful and are so highly rated?
I’m not sure how to answer that question, but I have some great people backing me so I’ve been lucky in that sense. The support I have has played a massive part in where I am today.
What’s been you best moments so far in racing?
Best moments? Winning the Greatwood hurdle at Cheltenham is up there as I had only ridden around Cheltenham a couple times two days before. To win a handicap like the Greatwood at a young age was a great feeling. But I’ve been lucky to have enjoyed plenty other good days likes at Aintree, winning the Grade 2 bumper on Florida Dreams my first graded success for Nicky. Winning the old roan on nuts well & winning a few nice races on Tommys Oscar’s they are all up there with the best moments.
What’s been your worst moments?
Worst moments? Probably when I missed 3 winners on Morbattle hurdle day at Kelso that I missed due to injury. I missed 3 of the big races on the day Premier hurdle, Premier chase and also the Morbattle hurdle itself, so that wasn’t a great day watching at home.
How do you cope when you have a bad fall or are injured?
I cope okay. It happens unfortunately but I have a very understanding wife who looks after me when I’m injured or have had a bad fall. And we as jockeys are very lucky to have the likes of Jack Berry House rehabilitation centre who have a fantastic team of staff who are very skilled at their job to get us back quickly, but also back to 100%.
How do you spend your spare time when not riding out or are at the races?
Mostly doing normal things cutting the grass and helping my wife out at home we have a 1 year old son so he keeps us busy. I also like to play football with some of the lads and a game of golf now and again.
What are your goals in racing?
My goals are to keep improving. Just to try and ride as many winners as I can. I would love to ride a winner at the Cheltenham festival and would like to be in the position to challenge for the jump jockeys title someday – but just to keep improving for now.
How is Nicky to work for and what’s it like being the stable jockey at Greystoke?
Nicky is good to work for. We get on great and understand each other very well. I’ve been at Nicky’s 8 years now so to be in the position of riding the majority of his horses is a great privilege not only as Nicky is a fantastic trainer but has some very nice horses constantly coming through the yard with hopefully some nice horses to take us to the big meetings.
How would you improve racing if you could change things?
Firstly the racing calendar needs changing as they’re days when there are too many meetings on and days when’s there isn’t racing for 2 or 3 days especially in the north. This could be sorted by
- Not having two northern meetings on the same day – spread them out so it gives the trainers more options.
- Having a break after the season ends in April – likes of May and June there aren’t many meetings on. Sometimes you’re racing once a week and it just doesn’t make sense to me that there isn’t a big break after the season ends. It is only 6 days break from season ends to season restarts and then when it restarts there is very few meetings so jockeys, racing staff , trainers & horses have to keep going. But if it was a bigger break everyone can have a break including the horses. It would improve field sizes as the summer racing would be more compacted and people in the racing industry would a appreciate a nice break in the summer as things are harsh and hard work in the winter months.
There are other things that could help racing but I’ll not keep going on.
If people were interested in becoming a jockey or getting involved in racing what advice would you give them?
My advice for someone interested in being a jockey would be to work hard and dedication. If you put the work in the rewards will follow. Most importantly patience – not everything happens straight away. Success takes time.
