|
Winning Post
When Cathy Gannon became the first lady
jockey to be crowned champion apprentice in Ireland in 2004 it seemed
to signal the start of a bright new era in flat racing.
Not only was Cathy breaking new ground as the only female flat jockey
in the notoriously masculine world of Irish horse racing but having been
born on a tough housing estate in Donnycarney in North Dublin the elite
world of top-class flat racing must have seemed a world away for the young
Ms Gannon.
Cathy, a self-confessed tomboy, was always a sports fanatic and as soon
as she started riding the wild ponies which roam many estates in Dublin
she knew the racing life was for her.
Apprentice to one of the top Irish trainers, John Oxx, Cathy made a flying
start to her career and was crowned champion apprentice.
However in common with many other top apprentices Cathy found winners
harder to come by when she turned fully professional and she reluctantly
made the decision to uproot and come to England in 2006.
Working for Irish-born trainer Kevin Ryan in North Yorkshire Cathy rode
many winners but also suffered from homesickness and in her first months
on this side of the Irish Sea she ran up £400 in phone bills ringing
loved ones in Ireland. Injuries hampered her career and earlier this year
she made the decision to move to Wales.
Having arranged with several local trainers to ride for them the winners
once again flowed for Gannon but the ill-luck which has dogged her career
to date resurfaced. Cathy picked up another injury and unable to ride
she is currently dreaming of the day she can return to the racetrack.
At the back of her mind is the easy way out. Lady jockeys are much more
popular in America from where she has a job offer from a top trainer but
Cathy is de-termined to prove she can make it in Britain. Gannon is determined
to shine again in the saddle.
In the week of the Breeders Cup where top jockeys are basking in the American
sunshine and riding in races for hundreds of thousands of dollars, Cathy’s
is a story of modern racing life.
Most top jockeys have struggled at some stage in their career. Cathy
has the ability to rise to the top of the racing tree all she
needs is a bit of luck. Racing fans everywhere will be hoping that her
luck will change.
|
