50-horse sets, miles of trotting on the blacktop, turn-and-burn jump schooling – a lot in Irish steeplechase is the same as America, but they found plenty of difference 

By Betsy Burke Parker

They learned a lot, laughed a lot and rode a lot. 

And it rained a lot. 

But they wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

This according to the participants in a Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation training trip to Ireland, recently returned from a week of immersive study on the Irish steeplechase circuit.

However much they disliked the constant drizzle-to-downpours, Camille deStanley, Scarlet Davies and Sophie O’Brien say they loved everything else about the opportunity, and all of them say they plan to pay it forward to the American jump circuit. (Sophie, Scarlet and Camille pictured with jockey Sean Flanagan at the Galway Festival)

They were selected for an all-expenses paid training trip to Ireland, the culmination of a competitive application process that included an essay and references from U.S. industry insiders. 

The three young riders traveled to Ireland with U.S. circuit rep and trip facilitator Regina Welsh for the July 22-Aug. 1 trip, a week of hands-on learning from the sport’s top trainers and riders. 

The training trips started in 2014, sponsored by the TGSF and supported by the NSA and hosts Sam Slater and wife Lornie Forbes. Welsh says that by exposing young American horsemen and women to “the way it’s done” in the birthplace of the sport, the domestic circuit benefits from a world of enrichment. 

In short, it's a cool opportunity, and one that’s worked well, Welsh adds.  

Former TGSF president Sam Slater and his wife, Lornie Forbes, hosted the group at their Cahervillahow estate in County Tipperary for most of their stay, the first day spent at Charles Noell’s Artbraccan House. “Everything was so wonderful,” Davies says.

“We did so many amazing things on this trip. I can't thank the TGSF enough for making it all possible,” adds deStanley. “Each morning we went to a different trainer's yard and rode sets. Every trainer did something a little different;" while there were lots of similarities to American training and racing, there were plenty of differences.

Riding out a set for trainer Willie Mullins. Steeplechase jockey Rachael Blackmore met the trip participants that morning as she rode out for Mullins, too.

The group with Sam and Lornie at the Coolmore Stud, generally acknowledged to be the world’s biggest, and best, thoroughbred racehorse breeding operation.

Camille deStanley – She’s now back at Bridgewater College in central Virginia for her sophomore year, riding on the club equestrian team and heading home to Leesburg to show and foxhunt on weekends:

“In the afternoons we (toured) places like Coolmore and the National Stud as well as going to racecourses like Limerick and Gowran Park. 

“We ended the trip at the Galway Races, and it was just incredible.

“One of the main differences between UK and U.S. training is the ‘road work.’ It's definitely different from anything I've done over here.

“A lot of the places were just so massive and they had so many horses there were so many things going on. On the other hand, some things stay the same though – tackrooms and people are much the same.

“A lot of the horses were fancier, and worth way more than anything I'd sat on before! They were just amazing. 

“The people were mostly the same (as at home), and everyone I talked to was very nice.

“We got to meet so many amazing people it's hard to pick who I think is the coolest. If I have to choose, I think Paddy Mullins, Willie's son, is probably one of the coolest people I've ever met. It was amazing to talk to him because he's still actively a jockey while also being an assistant trainer. He has so much insight to both riding and training. 

“He came up to us after our last set and had a conversation with each of us. He was just so genuine.

“We got to watch him ride a bumper at Limerick: it was an absolute masterclass.

“While it was a bit of a long trip – I was so tired by the end, it was also way too short. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Irish racing is a league above anything else.”

Camille riding out for trainer Pat Doyle

Scarlet Davies – She’s now back home in Monkton, Maryland, riding horses for and with her parents, Joe and Blythe Miller Davies, and a senior at Notre Dame Prep in Towson: 

“The trip was amazing – I’m happy to get home but also sad to leave!

“I think it rained every day, but I'm told that was normal. We didn't mind.

“We rode out for Shark Hanlon, Enda Bolger, Jessica Harrington, Gordon Elliott, Pat Doyle and Willie Mullins. They were all so kind and accommodating.

“At Bolger’s, we just popped off and galloped over about 15 or 20 fences! That was a real highlight.

“Sets varied in size, but the biggest was probably Jessica Harrington with close to 50 in one set!

“I was impressed by many things, but mostly by the professionalism and level of passion they all have for the sport. It seems to be a part of the fabric of their culture. 

“The horses were much stronger than the ones I'd ridden here – I was only run off with one time when I passed a few horses at Shark’s. 

“No one seemed too concerned.

“The people were all so friendly, thanks to Regina, who has a great relationship with everyone. 

“My favorite parts were the school at Enda Bolger’s, meeting (English Grand National winner) Rachael Blackmore, and getting to know the Doyle and Hanlon families who went way out of their way to accommodate us.

“I am looking forward to riding a few flat races and possibly some ladies timber races back home, but after meeting Rachael and seeing their jockey colony in action, I have no illusions that I would ever want to be a professional steeplechase rider at least for now.

“I just can't thank Regina, the Slaters, Mr. Noell, the TGSF and all our hosts enough for the trip of a lifetime.” 

Scarlet riding out for trainer Willie Mullins.

Sophie O'Brien - She's back home in Sparks, Maryland, and headed to college. She'll get on horses for trainer Joe Davies before class this term:

"On the first night we slept at Charlie Noelle's house which was just an amazing experience - it was so cool to explore. The rest of the week we stayed at the Slaters' home, I am so thankful for them to have welcomed us for the week.

"We rode each morning at a different yard. My favorite was definitely Enda Bolger. I learned a bunch from him and got to school over jumps which was so much fun. 

"The main difference I found was limited turn-out. Another thing was that they only do legs-up, no mounting block. 

"The barns were definitely different than ours - more courtyard style rather than (center aisle.)

"The coolest person I met was probably Rachael Blackmore. I’ve grown up hearing about her all the time and admiring her passion. It was very cool to see her ride in person. 

"Something that stuck with me, hearing it from a lot of different people, is 'to keep going.' They explained that they’ve gone through ups and downs and bad years. Seeing that all these (successful) trainers and jockeys went through challenges to get where they are will definitely stick with me and make me want to keep going."

The 2023 TGSF Ireland trip participants with 2022 Eclipse winner HEWICK, at Shark Hanlon's barn.