Calum Hogan pictured with his dad Ray after riding his first winner aboard Bear Claws at Limerick last summer © Photo Healy Racing
School's out for summer and Rathkeale teenager Calum Hogan can't wait to get started on the next phase of his riding career with his eyes now focused on National Hunt racing which returns, after a two-week hiatus in Ireland, at Tipperary this afternoon.
17-year-old Hogan recently completed his Leaving Cert examinations and is looking forward to riding over hurdles and fences as the new jumps season develops.
Son of former jockey Ray, Hogan gained plenty of experience on the pony-racing circuit and caught many an eye with a polished display in the saddle aboard Bear Claws when the Eric McNamara-trained gelding provided him with his first winner at Limerick last summer.
Two more winners were to follow at Dundalk during the winter season and Hogan, who has spent time with both David O'Meara and Donnacha O'Brien, is keen to continue riding on the Flat while developing more contacts amongst the National Hunt fraternity.
"I'm riding out for Eric McNamara most days," said Hogan.
"I've had one ride over hurdles for Eric and my first five rides under National Hunt rules have to be for either him or Kevin Coleman who I'm still apprenticed to at the moment.
"Kevin has been very good to me but his string is obviously mostly made up of horses for the Flat, so I'll be looking to spread my wings soon and am hoping to make some connections with other jumping yards.
"I've done loads of schooling over hurdles and fences and am looking forward to getting going properly over jumps this year.
"I'm sure all the riding I've done on the Flat will stand to me in terms of how to judge pace and the rhythm of a race. I've also got great experience from it in terms of how to talk to owners and trainers.
"I'll continue riding on the Flat but, like my father, I'm tall and my body won't let me do the sort of weights that I could manage a year ago. I have to accept that and I realise that, physically and mentally, you have to be sensible about what weights you can do.
"I was always a tall child and I've modelled my riding on jockeys who are similarly tall and have taken bits and pieces of how they ride and developed that to suit myself. Going over jumps, I'll still be claiming 7lb and will be able to ride the lighter weights.
"I'm hoping to link up with a new agent shortly and am looking forward to life after school. I got a taste of the winning feeling on the Flat and it's something that I want more of. I'm ready for the challenge and just want to keep improving."
