'The prize money is unbelievable' - Danny Sheehy on riding in the US

Jockey Danny Sheehy talks about the decision to move to America in March 2025 and the success he has had while riding there so far.

He discusses the invaluable experience he's gained and the connections he's been able to build while in the United States.

He has 18 winners since heading out to America, with the most recent on Thursday night at Turfway Park. He is doing tremendously well out there, and it is great to see another young Irish jockey applying himself so effectively in a different country.

The thought process behind going to America

Well, to be honest, originally it was supposed to be just for the winter, but by the time it took so long for the visa to be processed, it just worked out that it came through just before the season started in Ireland, and I didn't want to waste it, so I said I'd come out anyway.

I came over originally to start with Brendan Walsh in Kentucky, in Lexington, and I was riding out for him in Keeneland. It took a while to get my license sorted, so by the time I got it, it was June, and I had my first ride in Churchill.

I kind of just decided to stay on a little bit longer then. So I'm in Turfway here at the moment for the winter, and things are going well. I don't know how long I'll be here, but I'm getting plenty of rides and plenty of opportunities, so I won't be in a rush yet.

The main difference between riding in Ireland and the UK compared to the America

Yeah, it's completely different, I suppose. Riding the dirt tracks has been the biggest change over here, definitely. And obviously, all the tracks here, especially the turf courses, are left-handed. But it's been a good experience so far, and I'm learning a lot.

Everything is kind of gate-speed over here. It's very important to get them out of the gates, and the horses are trained in the gates a lot, so they're very used to the routine.

Riding on dirt is probably the main difference, and gate speed is very important here—even in the morning work, which I found very useful. That would definitely be the biggest difference compared to back home.

You mentioned the morning workouts. Talk to me about those and the details behind them

Yeah, so in the mornings, the workouts vary. You could do half a mile, which is obviously four furlongs, and the average time they'll be looking for is between 48 and 50 seconds—that would be standard.

Sometimes, you do five furlongs in 1:01 or 1:02. They work a lot out of the gates here, so you could work a horse half a mile or five furlongs from the gates quite often.

You actually find that when they go to the track to race, they know their job. Especially two-year-olds first time out—they're out of the gate straight away and into stride, and they know what's happening.

What has it been like adjusting to the kickback in dirt races in America

It can be tough, especially if you're slow away from the gate. The races go very quickly over here, and if you're behind, it's very hard to make up ground. It's about keeping them in rhythm, keeping the momentum, and not getting into trouble.

If you're a couple of lengths back from the horse in front, the kickback is very severe, and you have to try to avoid it without going too wide. Some horses face the kickback really well, while others can't take it at all. That's kind of the difference between the good horses running on it.

How good are the racecourses and facilities in America, and the prize money as well?

Kentucky is probably the most competitive state for racing. The prize money is unbelievable. Churchill is obviously the main track, and there's plenty of racing there.

You have the Derby meeting in the spring, and plenty of racing through the summer and a little into the fall. Prize money is good in Kentucky all year round, and Keeneland draws plenty of crowds.

There's not a huge difference in facilities; things are just done differently, from the mornings to the races.

How difficult is it to be away from home?

It is difficult - home is home. Obviously, my family and my girlfriend Lauren are at home, so it is tough. But it was an opportunity I always wanted to take. I like to travel, especially with racing.

Thankfully, things have been going well, it picked up the last couple of months, and I'm learning a lot and enjoying it. So I will definitely be staying here a bit longer, and hopefully, we'll see how things go.

What is the plan for Danny Sheehy going forward?

I don't really have a set time in my head for coming home. I'll be here a year in March, and I plan on staying through the summer to see how things go, then make a decision.

Things are going well, I’m getting plenty of rides, there are loads of opportunities, and the prize money is great, so I'm not in a huge rush to get back. There are plenty of Irish people and Irish trainers here who have been very good to me and supported me a lot, so it would be hard to come home early.

You touched on the Irish connections made in America. Who have been your biggest supporters out there?

There have been plenty, and I will always be grateful. I have to thank Brendan Walsh, who I first came over to - he’s doing really well here with a strong barn and lots of nice horses.

Andrew McKeever has been very good to me; he gave me my first winner and has helped me a lot, giving me plenty of rides from the start. John Ennis, Jerry O'Dwyer, and Tom Molloy have all supported me as well.

The highlight of your career so far and the best horse you've ever ridden

Champers Elysees would definitely be the best horse I rode in Ireland. At the time, I didn’t think she would go on to do what she did, but I used to ride her out nearly every morning at Johnny's, and I got on great with her, so it was nice to see her go on and succeed.

Personally, winning the Bold Lad Sprint in the Curragh on a horse called Soffia for Eddie Lynam was probably the greatest thrill I’ve had from a winner. I had my first stakes winner over here in December, so I think that’s been the biggest win in my career so far.

Before making the move to America, who did you look to for advice on the decision?

At the time, I was riding out for Johnny Murtagh and Michael Grassick as well. Johnny’s always great for advice, and I asked him. He was all for it and told me it would be a great experience.

As I said, I was just planning on going for the winter, and then when the visa came, it was nearly time for the season in Ireland to start. I decided to go anyway and not waste the opportunity.

They were encouraging me to try it. Johnny has always been good for advice, and he’s been through it all himself as a rider - there’s no one better to ask.