Aidan Kelly

I'm 21, was born and reared in Monasterevin and still live at home with my parents and my brother. They are all great supporters of mine and are the first ones on the phone when I have a winner.

Things are going really well this season, particularly since the turn of the year, and it definitely gives you more confidence when you're regularly riding winners. I won a bumper for Michael Hickey at Punchestown on New Year's Eve on a nice mare who has since been sold for plenty of money and so far in 2023 I've racked up another six winners. It's great to be getting plenty of chances riding in the colours of Mr. McManus and Cadatharla is a nice horse I won on at Naas in January. He was just touched off last time at Fairyhouse but it was still a good performance and he's a big raw horse that is progressing well.

I started off by doing a bit of pony racing and a neighbour of mine in Monasterevin, Pat 'Buddy' Harrison, got me going. My brother had done pony racing before me but unfortunately got a bad fall. Buddy's a great man who has been a mentor to a lot of people and I got a good grounding from him. I then started going to Michael Halford's yard at weekends and during school holidays before going to RACE in 2017 to do the apprentice course there. I loved my time in RACE and I found the emphasis they put on fitness to be very useful. It's something I try to be mindful of and keep on top of, and it can give you an edge when you're in action on the track.

After completing the course at RACE I went to Christy and Padraig Roche's yard on the Curragh and I'm still there. Christy retired from training in early 2018 and Padraig took over the licence. Christy was a legendary Classic-winning jockey and he's still flying around the place and has a few young horses and mares that he looks after. Padraig was a good amateur rider and they've both been a great help to me with advice and support. I rode my first winner on Open To The World who was a mare that Padraig persevered with in order to give me a few opportunities. I had ridden her a good few times before she got up close home to win the Molony Cup at Thurles in early 2020. I had to wait a while for that first winner and it was a great feeling. Progress has been steady away since then and thankfully things have really clicked this season.

Padraig has supported me really well and Walking On Glass would be one of my favourites in the yard. He's not over big but can do a bit of everything and I won over hurdles and fences on him last year. As well as riding out at Padraig's, I go to Joe Conlon who's a new up-and-coming trainer on the Curragh. He's hit the crossbar a few times and I'm sure he'll be amongst the winners soon. I also ride out for James Fahey and had a 66/1 winner for him at Punchestown last month. James has a nice horse called Typical Thomas who has some very good form in the book and we'd be hopeful that he can win again before too long.

I must mention my agent Garry Cribbin who has been doing a great job for me and Kevin O'Ryan is always kind enough to give me a mention on Racing TV. It all helps when you're trying to climb the ladder.

There's a good few jockeys around Monasterevin including Shane Kelly who's no relation, Conor and Peter Smithers and Ronan Whelan who I think I'm distantly related to as some sort of cousin!

My weight is good and I can claim 7lb off 10-6 or 10-7. The 4lb allowance we get for the helmet and back protector is a big help. I haven't had the opportunity to ride in England before and obviously it would be exciting if I get a chance in one of the handicaps at Cheltenham next week. We'll see what happens. I'll be keeping my stick below shoulder height anyway if I do get the call-up, that's one thing for sure!