Robert Whearty

I'll be nineteen this year and am from Bellewstown in Co Meath. My first winner came at the local track and luckily I have a good strike-rate there. That was on Pretty Little Liar for David Dunne in July 2021 and was not long after I had taken out my licence.

My father Thomas always had horses at home and breeds a few. At the moment my sister Aoife is very much into showjumping and hunting and my father supports her just like he did for me when I was pony-racing. He used to drive me from one end of the country to the other for pony race meetings. We could be in Donegal on a Saturday and in Kerry on a Sunday. I had a handful of winners but it was more about gaining experience by riding in as many races as I could. It gives you a good grounding and means you're not numb to everything when you start racing on the track. By the time I was 10 or 11 I was sure in my own mind that I wanted to be a jockey and it's working out well so far.

I was riding out for local trainers from the age of around 11 or 12, for Peter Cluskey initially and then David Dunne. I've ridden winners for both of them which is very satisfying as they were a great help to me. I did a good bit of schooling over hurdles when I was at David's and I enjoyed it. He made sure to put me up on the quiet ones and his brother Robbie was there to give me advice. The jumping is certainly a thrill but my weight is good at the moment and I'm happy sticking on the Flat at this stage.

I did consider going to RACE for my Transition Year but, in the end, I stayed in school and took out my licence in May 2021. My parents were keen that I complete my Leaving Cert which I did in Gormanston College.

I'm apprenticed to Gavin Cromwell and am there most mornings. I also go to James MacAuley's yard on Wednesdays. Gavin's is a busy yard which is mostly focused on jump horses but there are plenty of Flat horses there too and we're cracking on with the two-year-olds to get them ready for the turf season. I ride work alongside Gary Carroll and Conor Maxwell and they're a big help to me and I learn plenty from them.

My Mate Mozzie, who I finished second on in the November Handicap at Naas, is probably the best horse I've ridden. We were just caught close home that day which was frustrating but it was great of Gavin to give me the ride on him.

The new year has gone well so far and I've had three winners at Dundalk, a couple for Leanne Breen recently and one for Paul Flynn. Paul has given me plenty of chances even though I haven't been able to get down to his place to ride work, which is something I hope to do before long.

I haven't flown through my claim, it's been steady away but maybe it's for the best. I've roughly 350 rides under my belt already and have 21 winners on the board, with nine left claiming seven pounds. I can do light weights even with the 7lb claim so hopefully I might be in a position to pick up some nice rides in the bigger handicaps when the turf season gets underway. My agent Kevin O'Ryan is getting me on plenty of horses with good chances so I'm grateful to him.

I've got to know most of the tracks in Ireland at this stage but I always go and walk the track before racing and take note of the ground, the position of the rails and the marker poles. It's important and you might just notice something that gives you a little edge.

I enjoy getting out for a run and going to the gym too. When the time allows I like playing a bit of football and have got into golf lately as well. It's a great way to get out and clear the head while still being competitive.

Hopefully I can keep the ball rolling and I'm looking forward to the year ahead.