The doc who became a jock *

copyright Healy Racing

SPORT is all about dreams. Whatever the sport and whatever the level, everybody starts off with a dream. The hope of fulfilling that dream is what drives people through the long nights, the pain and the sacrifices. For amateur jockey Paul McMahon he realized his childhood dream at Cheltenham last weekend when he rode Clondaw Warrior to victory in the bumper. Sometimes dreams really do come true.

“It was a dream come true, a childhood dream fulfilled” says a delighted McMahon. “I have thought about it since I was a child but I never thought I would do it.”

For the thirty seven year old doctor the opportunity to ride his own horse in a race on the hallowed Cheltenham turf was a dream come true in itself, but to win the race on his first ride there was an extraordinary experience. Unsurprisingly he finds it difficult to find the words to express the pure elation he felt at the victory. “It’s hard to find the words to describe it. It was a very emotional experience when I pulled up. It was a dream come true to do it and it’s only when you pass the line that you realize what you’ve done. It’s pretty special.”

Receiving congratulations from two of the greatest jockeys of all time, who he beat in the race was also a special moment for Paul. “Ruby (Walsh) and AP (McCoy) congratulated me after the race. To win against them was pretty surreal. To ride against these guys who are idols of mine is surreal. I know some of them from the weighroom and to get their heartfelt congratulations made it even more special and says a lot about them.” 

This praise is not just reserved for the champion jockeys who played their part in his dream. He is effusive in his genuine praise of everyone involved in racing who have contributed to his dream becoming a reality. “A lot of people have played their part in making my dream come true - The Irish Turf Club, the other jockeys in the weighroom, the trainer John Hanlon, his partner Rachel and everyone in the yard – they all helped me to keep my dream alive.

That dream started as a child learning to ride and in showjumping and he had the best possible education under the expert tuition of Iris Kellet before moving on to racing. “Parts of my family were always interested in racing and through my uncle and Charles O’Brien that’s where I caught the bug.” 

Owner riders like Barry Connell were an inspiration to him though they are a diminishing presence on the racetrack now. “Barry Connell and JP Magnier were a huge influence on me and I aspired to do what they were doing. I saw the support they got  and the time and support they’ve give me has kept me going but there are very few of us owner riders left now.”

Combining a busy job as a doctor with the hours he needed to put in if he was going to fulfill his ambition to ride was difficult and something had to give. He was fortunate that he was able to take up a consulting role with a pharmaceutical company that allows him to give racing the dedication it needs. “Racing was one of my passions in life and I had to give it a try so it was part of the reason I took the job. I had bee riding since the early 90’s and working in the hospital but it was difficult and I decided that I wanted to put the time and effort into it.”

His observations in the weighroom showed him that to have any chance of making his racing dream a reality he had to be able to dedicate himself to riding. His success hasn’t been without sacrifices though. “Somebody always suffers and it’s hard on my family. They haven’t seen much of me. I have to say thanks to my wife and children who put up with all the times I’ve been off down the country riding horses.”

The horse who helped make Paul McMahon a Cheltenham winner was found for him by trainer John Hanlon. “Colin Bowe had Clondaw Warrior in training for point to points and John had seen him in a point. He spoke to Colin before he told me about the horse and on their recommendation I ended up with a very nice horse. It’s a testament to them that I got such a nice horse and they have both played their part in fulfilling a childhood dream so a lot of thanks must go to them.”

It’s a dream that he never has to wake from as he relives it daily, watching the video of the race, to enjoy the memories again and again and to learn from it. “I’d say that I’ll be watching the video everyday for the next few weeks and reliving the race for the rest of my life.”

His experience shows that dreams do come true and he has some advice for everyone who has a dream. “It goes to show that if you have a dream don’t give up on it. Keep persevering and trying and anything can happen and enjoy the journey of trying to achieve your dream.”

With one dream fulfilled, there is another dream on the horizon. A return trip to Cheltenham for the Festival in March is a possibility for Clondaw Warrior. “I haven’t decided yet if he will go to Cheltenham. There is a lot to consider but John Hanlon is very keen to go for the Champion Bumper with him.” If the horse will have the same jockey on board is another question. “Whether it will be with me or not,” he adds, “We will have to think about it and see how things pan out.”

Hearing the pure joy in Paul McMahon’s voice as he relives passing the Cheltenham winning post in front one thing is clear: in sport, and in life, we should all dare to dream. 

*This article first appeared in The Nationalist on 25 October 2011