Caragh Monaghan

I'm from Kentstown in Co Meath and basically, I got into horses through my grandad, Sean Monaghan, who bred horses, and my aunt, Irene Finnegan Monaghan, who used to train horses. I was brought up in the middle of it all and grew up with horses around me. Joe Byrne, who has sadly passed away, would have been a huge influence on me getting involved in horses. He got me into riding horses. I sat up on my first racehorse when I was six years old and I had my first pony when I was seven. When I got my pony, I joined pony club and I did a bit of showjumping and eventing.

When I was younger it was football and ponies. On the weekends I was riding ponies in England or Ireland and, other than that, it was all football. I remember I flew home from a World's with the ponies to play in a semi-final for Meath against Tyrone. I played with Meath since I was under-12 up until 2022. I won Leinster medals, a few other medals with them the whole way up, and I have a senior All-Ireland medal. Winning the 2022 Senior Ladies Football Championship with Meath was brilliant to be a part of - the whole build up and everything.

It was a really hard decision to choose between riding and playing football for Meath. I started the 2023 season with Meath and we were coming up to the league. My body just couldn't take it (doing both), I ended up breaking my back with a fall. I was trying to get back and it wasn't happening for me. At the end of the day the decision came down to needing to make a living and, obviously, horses pay the way and, unfortunately, football doesn't. The toll was on my body from riding out from 7am to 4pm or 5pm and then rushing trying to get a bite to eat before training. It was just too much on me, so I made the decision to step away from the football. It was probably for the best in the long run. Don't get me wrong, I miss the football so much but for my career as a rider, I had to do it. I play away with my club, Seneschalstown, no problem now. The club is quite good to me, they let me look after myself in terms of doing my own running and gym work. I go down to the pitch with the girls twice a week. It means an awful lot playing for the club, I would be nowhere without the club really. It probably half benefitted my riding because I was so fit from playing for Meath. I absolutely loved it. I was actually asked back this year and I did the whole pre-season with them, but it was just clashing too much so I stepped away again. I wish them well - my heart is still in it.

I was doing my Leaving Cert during the year of Covid-19, so I finished school abruptly. I ended up going down to Willie Mullins for a while, about five or six weeks down there. After that, I went into Gavin Cromwell's. At the moment, I am based with Ian Donoghue. In Ian's we would start at 7am or 7.30am depending on if we are working horses or going racing. You could ride four or five lots out on Skyrne gallops and then we would be over in the home house riding out another five or six lots in the afternoon. Keith Donoghue is great to go to for advice on riding. When you are in Skyrne, you could be riding work for anyone that is there. It is a great place to be as a rider. When I was in Gavin's, you had the likes of Gary Carroll and Sean Flanagan in there. There was more than enough people to ask advice from.

My first winner came on St Denis's Well in a handicap hurdle at Navan in November 2023. I probably couldn't believe I was still in front after jumping the last and still running on. When I crossed the line, I nearly second guessed myself. It was such a thrill and it was such a relief as well to get that off your shoulders. I was in Cheltenham that week for Gavin and I flew home a day early to ride the horse. I was delighted to have a ride on the Troytown weekend in Navan. Ian quietly fancied him, he was after doing a nice bit of work about three or four weeks before, but he was a bit of a rogue and he said to me to ride him to the best of his ability and thankfully it all paid off. I am full-time in Ian's. That horse that won in Cheltenham (in October), Lisnamult Lad, runs on Saturday in the Dublin Racing Festival Leopardstown. He goes in the Listed Ryanair Handicap Steeplechase. The yard is full with horses and different types of horses which is really good. Ian is great for advice and has helped me along the way. He just wants to see you do well. He's a great supporter for me, getting me rides and everything. The way he trains his horses is really good to watch and experience.

The aim is to get a good few more outside rides and, obviously, try to get another winner or two and kind of go from there really. I'd like to build my contacts as well. Liam Lennon has been great to me, he's a lovely man to deal with. When I first took out my licence, he used to always promise me a ride. He is supporting me now which is great. I was at schooling races this week for Liam, Ian and for Virginia Considine. Everyone was there at it - the likes of Ross O'Sullivan, Gordon Elliott and Gavin. I think there was between 150 and 170 horses there, and it is a great way for young riders to kind of get their name out there.

I was riding one for Ger O'Leary, Doyen For A Drink, in a ladies' handicap hurdle at Limerick over Christmas and was travelling away. I got a lovely run up the inside and he literally just stepped straight into the second last and gave me no chance really. I was more sick than anything. Those lady riders' races are great to have, there mightn't be enough of them during the winter. It is more a summer thing, for sure. Obviously, there is the Ladies' National the weekend of the Irish National. I was lucky enough to be third in that last year on Routine Excellence. It is great for some girls to get more experience. I'd love to win a Ladies' National especially as Fairyhouse is basically on my doorstep. I'd always be up there and it would be nice to ride a winner up there. There is so much history in the race as well, so it would be great to win.

I think the Irish racing industry is terrific. It is a great group of people you are dealing with week in week out. It is the same in the weigh room. Rachael Blackmore is fantastic, she will always help you if you are stuck. I love working here and I've got great experience working here. When I was working with Gavin, I got to travel to America and all over England. I took Fiery Lucy to the Breeders' Cup in America in November where she ran an absolute cracker. Unfortunately, she was drawn wide and got caught wider on the bends, but she flew home in fourth and we were all delighted with her run. It was great to have a runner over there. The Del Mar experience was amazing as I was riding out there. I'd recommend the Breeders' Cup experience if anyone gets the opportunity to go.

Caragh was in conversation with Michael Graham.

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About Michael Graham

Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.

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