Leading pony racing jockey Dylan O’Connor will head to Gullanes Hotel in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway on Saturday night for yet more silver ware. The Liscarroll, Co. Cork native will be in receipt of a Midlands Regional Award for his highly successful 2022 campaign.
Son of Mikey and Mags, Dylan has been riding ponies from a very young age and recently his dad became the fifth most successful jockey in Irish Point to Point history.
The now fourteen year old began his pony racing career on Templehill Tamara and gained his first victory at the Strand Races in Courtmacsherry in 2018. The same pony had also given Darragh O Keeffe his initial career winner.
Dylan has gone from strength to strength in subsequent seasons highlighted by a five timer in Ballysteen Co Limerick and four timers in Loughrea, Thomastown, Moira, Ballyheigue and Letterkenny.
Dylan continued on his merry winning way last year when riding 6 winners at Champions Weekend in Moira over the two days before adding a further 5 winners at the famous Dingle Festival last August.
Cali Cartel, Way Up North, Little Maine, Who’s Telling Who, Ida’s Dream and Who Told You are amongst the names who provided this hugely competitive teenager with big race success right across the country.
The North Cork jockey was also delighted to gain experience on the Scottish circuit where he was successful on Way Up North and Caster.
With 83 winners ridden to date Dylan who is a student of Colaiste Mhuire in Buttevant is eagerly looking forward to the return of pony racing at Borris, Co. Carlow on Easter Sunday next. Another busy summer lies in store on the highways and byeways for the National Champion Jockey.
