Young star: AP McCoy protege Dylan Browne McMonagle has first ride at Gowran
Sir Anthony McCoy's protege and pony racing champion Dylan Browne McMonagle makes his much-anticipated debut under rules at Gowran Park today.
McMonagle, a dual National Field champion who won the prestigious Dingle Derby as a 12-year-old in 2015, a record at the time, has joined Joseph O'Brien's County Kilkenny yard as apprentice jockey and rides Harvey Specter in the mile apprentice handicap (4.30).
The teenager came to the attention of McCoy after a short film was made about his win in the 2015 Dingle Derby called Five Stone Of Lead, which caught the eye of the likes of Clare Balding and Sam Waley-Cohen on social media.
Of his relationship with McCoy, McMonagle told Highland Radio: "When I won the Dingle Derby a company called Just So Production asked to do a short video clip. It got loads of views online and AP saw it and gave my mum a call and asked if I would like to come over for a week to spend time with him and ride out.
"My mum kept it as a surprise for me for Christmas – it was a great surprise. I've been over to visit him a few times since and it's a brilliant help and I've got loads of contact over in England.
"AP is the 20-time champion jockey and the advice he gave me was to finish school because education is easily carried and you never know what could happen in racing."
McMonagle's Dingle Derby exploits also earned him an invitation to the British Racing School, while he is also a champion boxer having won the Irish national title two years ago.
In fact, he was so good at boxing that he had to make a decision between a career in the ring or on track during the summer, with a career in the saddle getting the verdict.
On the hook-up with O'Brien, McMonagle said: "Joseph came to me a few months ago and asked me to sign on with him and of course I said yes."
Ruby Walsh is another to have given the young rider advice, and McMonagle added: "I sat down with Ruby at the Sports Star awards last year and he gave me loads of advice – with people like that you need to take all of their advice on board, if you don't listen to people like that you're wasting your time."
For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app
Published on inNews
Last updated
- Cheltenham Ante-Post Pricewise has returned - unlock Tom Segal's top tips now with 25% off for six months
- 'Lovely ground' leaves Irish and French runners in festive spirits on Christmas Day as Kempton remains good, good to soft
- Strong Leader to see wind specialist after Long Walk flop as Olly Murphy targets Cleeve Hurdle in late January
- Join Racing Post Members' Club for the very best in racing journalism - including the award-winning Patrick Mullins
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- Cheltenham Ante-Post Pricewise has returned - unlock Tom Segal's top tips now with 25% off for six months
- 'Lovely ground' leaves Irish and French runners in festive spirits on Christmas Day as Kempton remains good, good to soft
- Strong Leader to see wind specialist after Long Walk flop as Olly Murphy targets Cleeve Hurdle in late January
- Join Racing Post Members' Club for the very best in racing journalism - including the award-winning Patrick Mullins
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club