Sean McDermott winning on Who's That at Leopardstown in January© Photo Healy Racing
American based Sean McDermott's spell back in Ireland is coming to an end in the coming days but the jump jockey is hoping to cap his winter spell riding out for Willie Mullins with a ride for the Champion Trainer at the Cheltenham Festival.
McDermott, who moved to America to ride for trainer Jack Fisher in late 2014, has been riding out with Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Ted Walsh and Ross O'Sullivan since the American jumps season ended last November.
He says “I came home in early December and I've been riding out for Willie Mullins twice a week since. It's a phenomenal place to work and every horse you sit on is a good one. A good horse could easily be lost as there are so many superstars in the yard. I rode out there four years ago and it's very powerful now and also a great place to learn.
“I ride for Jack Fisher and am happy staying here as I've a job riding for the number one trainer and it's a nice lifestyle out there.
“Jack himself rode in an International Series years ago and he'd like to be involved in an International scene again if the right structures were in place.
“I have spoken to Willie (Mullins) about the American scene and while he has made his thoughts known, on our side (America) there is also a big push from a lot of owners who want to see their horses race in France, Britain and Ireland.
“Willie entered two horses in America last year but for one reason or another, none went. I've been riding out for Gordon Elliott recently and he sent horses and is interested in sending more. Of course there's also the newly announced $500,000 bonus for the World Hurdle winner if that horse can also win the Iroquois Hurdle in America.”
Regarding his initial connection, McDermott stated “I originally received a phone call from the late Tom Voss about purchasing a horse I had ridden and while I thought nothing of it at the time, through that connection in 2014 trainer Jack Fisher offered me a job with a retainer.
“I went over at the end of 2014 and almost straightaway had eight or nine winners and last year I rode 15 winners from 110 rides and finished third in the American Jockeys Championship. I finished second in two Grade 1s, earned $600,000 in prizemoney and over there you collect the full 10% of the prizemoney.
“There's quite a lot of travelling and generally people fly between the meetings and the scene is vast. It ranges from Tennessee to up-state New York but races are generally worth $80,000 each and the smallest race at Saratoga is worth $65,000.
“The American jumps' season starts in mid-March and goes until the end of November and the scene in America is quite healthy at present. Generally if I can get six rides in three weeks during the quieter mid-summer, it pays well.
“I travel back on Monday but I was speaking to Willie about the possibility of a ride at Cheltenham and hopefully, depending on what gets in, I might have a ride in the County or Coral Hurdles. It would be fantastic to get a ride for Willie as they always have a chance.
“I rode a winner at Leopardstown on Hennessy Gold Cup day for Liam Cusack and it's great to have a winner on big days like that.”
By Tom Weekes
