Horses, Highlights & Horizons: A Season Recap with our sponsored Jockey Jody Townend.

Catching Up with Jody Townend – Ireland’s Leading Amateur Jumps Jockey

We caught up with our Naas Racecourse-sponsored rider and leading lady amateur jockey in Ireland, Jody Townend, to chat about her stellar 2024/25 season and what she gets up to when racing winds down over the summer months.

1. How did it feel to be crowned leading amateur rider for the fifth time?
Brilliant! I think the pressure grows each year to try and retain the title, so to win it for a fifth year was great. Hopefully, I’ll make it six this season!

2. What was your favourite win of the season, and why did it stand out?
Definitely riding my first Cheltenham winner on Bambino Fever. I think anyone who becomes a jockey dreams of riding a Cheltenham winner, so I’m very lucky that my dream came true.

3. Is there a particular horse you’re especially excited about for next season?
I’m obviously very excited to see how Bambino Fever gets on over hurdles, but maybe a less obvious one is a mare called How’s Hannah. I won a point-to-point on her for my Dad in the spring. She’s since been sold and is now in training with Willie Mullins. I’m really looking forward to seeing how she gets on, she’s brilliant to jump!

4. How do you usually spend your quieter summer months?
I nearly end up being busier in the summer! I have three showjumpers, which I try to jump on any Sunday I’m not racing. I also try to get home to Cork one evening a week to ride them out, so the long evenings are a big help.

5. Do you have any holidays planned, or dream destinations you'd love to visit?
I spent a week in Tenerife during our break from racing at the end of June, which was lovely, great to recharge the batteries. I’d love to visit Thailand, or maybe Nashville, that looks like good fun!

6. How did you first get into racing — was it always the plan?
My Dad always trained point-to-pointers and sometimes had a few for the track, so there were always racehorses at home. I was big into eventing and showjumping growing up, but I also helped out with the racehorses. I was lucky to be able to mix both. My first point-to-point ride was a winner, and I got bitten by the racing bug from there!

7. What’s the best advice you’ve received in your riding career so far?
If things aren’t working out, there’s always another day. Horses aren’t machines, they’re all entitled to an off day.

8. Who has been the biggest influence on your development as a jockey?
Willie Mullins and his owners have definitely been the biggest influence on me as a jockey. They’ve trusted me with some very good horses — and good horses make good jockeys.
But my Dad would be the biggest influence on me as a rider. He spent years driving me around the country with ponies (and still does now with my horses!), I owe a lot to him.

9. What’s a typical race day like for you, from morning to post-race?
It depends on whether it's a day or evening meeting, and how far away it is. I’ll ride out as many lots as I can in the morning before I need to hit the road. I like to be at the races at least two hours before I ride, so I have time to walk the track and not be rushing around.

10. Outside of racing, what do you enjoy doing to relax or unwind?
Showjumping would be my main hobby outside of racing, I really enjoy it. I’ve actually qualified a mare I produced myself for the amateur class at the RDS this year, and I’m really looking forward to that.

11. What are your goals for the upcoming season?
To keep riding winners! I’m seven away from hitting 100, so that’s a little goal I’ve set for myself.

12. Is there a particular racecourse you love riding at (besides Naas!)?
I’ve had loads of luck at Tramore, so I always enjoy going down there.