Ryan Has Sights Set On The Top

The turn of the year seems like a long time ago but the recollection of goals set, targets to reach or plans made still live fresh in the memory even if a worldwide pandemic may have put paid to some of them. For 20-year-old apprentice jockey Gavin Ryan, though, the course is firmly set. His big aim for the year was to ride out his five-pound claim by the Galway Festival, which he achieved, and now his trajectory is pointing toward the Irish Champion Apprentice title.

Ryan has an easy charm and he reflects enthusiastically about how his short career in the saddle has gone. He says, “I am over the moon, absolutely over the moon, especially this year. This year it took off. Dave Keena, my agent, was always anxious of holding my claim, or let my claim go as my riding improved. This year I started off on a five-pound claim; it helped me get some early winners and get on some good horses early in the season. Thankfully I ride for some nice trainers, they have been good enough to keep me on the horses. Everything has been going to plan so far, so long may it last.”

The hard work applied by both Ryan and Keena is paying dividends and the agent is evidently keeping the fire stoked.

“Dave works very hard for me,” Ryan says. “He told me the other day I have 26 winners this year, and I've 18 outside winners for 11 different trainers. When you are getting to ride for that number of different operations and when they keep putting you up it shows that they have plenty of confidence in you and it gives you confidence as a rider.”

Ryan's foundation in horses saw him compete at eventing and show jumping as a child before he moved to Andrew Kennedy's point-to-point operation and then on to Edward O'Grady's. This was where he started pony racing, an experience he credits with helping to settle his nerves for his first ride under rules, which ended up being a winning one for his then-boss Jim Bolger. Bolger has laid the ground work for many a champion jockey over the years and it is no surprise that Ryan says he feels his time with the master trainer has helped pave his way in the industry.

He says, “The biggest thing you learn at Bolger's would probably be how to conduct yourself. As well as teaching you all about your riding and about racing, he definitely shapes you as a person and I think that sticks with you for life.”

Now based with Donnacha O'Brien, Ryan is tasked with riding Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {JPN}), winner of this year's G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Nassua S., each morning and steered recent Group 3 winner Shale (Ire) (War Front) to victory.

Of the latter Ryan says, “She is wicked professional, she does everything right. She takes everything in her stride. She stepped up in class a lot the last day in the Group 3 and she progressed the way we thought she would. Hopefully she will be able to progress again from that. I could see her ending up in something like the Moyglare in September.”

On working for the youngest O'Brien, Ryan gives an insight into the fledging operation. “He is a great boss. You couldn't ask for much better,” he says. “He is very easy to deal with and he is very easy to ride for. I suppose the fact that he was a jockey makes it much easier. He understands that in races, things don't always go to plan. He is always trying to instruct you, more so than give out to you or anything like that. There is a great bunch of people down there, they all want the yard to be successful. The dynamics are great, we are all good friend more so than anything else.”

The year has been a dream start for Donnacha O'Brien as a trainer, but it was only last year that he became champion jockey in Ireland for the second time. That former career is one Ryan remembers clearly as he eyes his own professional career.

He says, “[Donnacha] achieved so much in such a short space of time. I don't think people realised until he retired, how much he had achieved in a short career. I suppose that set a path for a lot of people. You would obviously have to look up to him.”

He continues, “I suppose, like every jockey, you want to get on a better calibre of horse and thankfully, thanks to Donnacha, he has given me that chance this year of riding plenty of nice horses for him with very good pedigrees. When you get to ride those horses, it's a bit surreal to be honest. Trying to ride more of those horses would obviously be the aim. Trying to improve on last year's tally every year is something that you would always try and do, too.”

Ryan currently sits in poll position in the Champion Apprentice title race on 26 wins with Shane Crosse closest to him on 22. Whatever happens in the championship, there is no doubt that Gavin Ryan will be a name to follow in the coming seasons.