Formerly a conditional jockey with Jonjo O’Neill, 31-year-old Irishman Maurice Linehan trained his first winner between the flags when The Tablet won a point-to-point flat race at a foggy Larkhill before Christmas. Jake Exelby talked to Maurice – who has a yard full of promising youngsters at Great Tew in Oxfordshire – to find out more about him, and how he came to be involved in the British pointing scene.
How did you get into racing and point-to-pointing?
I grew up in Fermoy, County Cork, which is a big pointing area and my Dad and Grandad both trained pointers, so racing’s always been in my blood. At 15, I went to work for Dessie Hughes, where I learnt my trade – I spent a year there before coming home to Cork and working for Jim Culloty when he started training.
I had my first point-to-point ride for Mikey O’Connor when I was 16 and had 15-20 rides in my first season, but no winner. I rode a bit more often the next year, still without success, but then the ball started rolling when I was working for John Supple in my third campaign, and I had four or five winners.
Maurice in his riding days
At the end of that season – when I’d just turned 20 – I picked up the phone to Jonjo and said, ‘I want to turn conditional’, and he asked me to come over. That was in 2010. I went there for a week and he told me, ‘There’s a job here – come back in August.’ I had my first ride for him in October 2011 on Tarvini at Huntingdon and won a ‘Lester’ for ride of the year! We were off the bridle after the first hurdle, pushing for three miles, but I got up on the line to win by a head having been five lengths down at the last.
Jonjo O'Neill - employer
It was going well and I had 40 winners in my first three seasons, mostly for Jonjo, but I’d broken my sternum and fractured vertebrae in my neck in a fall in the Racing Plus Chase at Kempton and – though I rode a double on my second day back after six months out – the rides eventually started drying up and I started buying and selling horses.
My plan had always been to train pointers and I started helping other trainers – like John Benfield. I started training in my own name in 2019, but have only had a handful of runners and this is my first proper season – I’ve got up to ten to run.
Who’s inspired you most in the world of pointing?
My Dad first of all – he trained a lot of winners. Also A P McCoy and Richie McLernon. Richie’s such a hard-working lad and was always there when I needed a hand or advice.
A P McCoy - inspiration
Which other jockeys do you admire?
In Ireland, I rode against the likes of J T McNamara, Derek O’Connor, Jamie Codd and Barry O’Neill. Over here, Zac Baker and James King are good lads. Zac will ride when he’s available – whoever helps me ride out will get the mounts.
Zac Baker - good lad
Who have been your favourite horses?
Western Warhorse was one. I finished second on him in a hurdle at Cheltenham and David Pipe trained him to win the Arkle Trophy later that season. Also Sunnyhillboy, who I rode a couple of times, See U Bob and Arbor Supreme, on whom I won the Devon Marathon.
Of those who’ve come from British pointing, I like Energumene and Third Time Lucki, and more good ones are starting to come out now. Pointing over here is as good as in Ireland – it just doesn’t get the recognition.
What do you love most about pointing?
I really enjoy breaking-in young horses, bringing them along and giving them a grounding. It’s always been part of my life since I was in Ireland – like going to church! I remember watching Denman win over there. It’s also brilliant for jockeys to learn their trade and is a good country sport, and as enjoyable as professional sport.
The main difference for me between British and Irish pointing is that in Ireland, you get good crowds and lots of locals, but you don’t have the picnics at the back of the four-wheel drives! It’s more sociable over here.
What's been the highlight of your time in the sport?
As well as getting ride of the year for Tarvini, winning the Grassroots Final Hurdle at Haydock on Carlton Jack and winning on Abnaki at Cheltenham.
What are your ambitions as a trainer?
To get winners on the board and to see them be successful for other trainers after they leave me. I wouldn’t mind getting more owners, training older horses and maybe even becoming champion point-to-point trainer!
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d have more four-year-old only, as well as five-year-old only, Maidens. Yes, there might be small fields, but trainers need to take each other on more to bring British pointing forward. I wouldn’t be afraid to race against anyone. People said Larkhill would be too competitive for The Tablet but I knew that, if he was any good, he’d win.
I’d also split Opens into different categories – for example High and Middle class. It’s hard when you’ve got a 120-rated horse taking on one rated 150. I had such a horse a couple of years ago in Glen Roe – he just couldn’t be competitive against better horses.
What do you think the effect of lockdown on pointing will be?
COVID and lockdown actually helped me, as I could give my horses – all of whom are youngsters – more time. I do think pointing should have been allowed to keep going longer though – it’s an outdoor sport after all – and that it wasn’t fair that rules racing could go ahead when pointing couldn’t. It’s hard to expect owners to pay the bills if they don’t know if there will be any racing.
Did you watch much live streaming? Do you think we should continue with it?
I watched it a lot and think it’s brilliant for creating more interest in the sport, but will it stop people coming racing? For that reason, I’m on the fence in case it keeps the crowd away.
What are your plans for this season?
I’ve got two smart horses by Valeron, one of whom is really special. They’re both unnamed and will run in mid-late February or early March. I also have a nice Peppers Moon filly, again unnamed. All of mine are young horses, to buy and sell on – privately or at the sales – to let other trainers have the glory!
Road work in Great Tew
As for The Tablet, he goes to the Doncaster Sales later this month. If he doesn’t make enough money, he’ll come back and win a Maiden.
What would you be doing if you weren't involved with horses?
I’d probably be playing rugby. I was quite good when I was younger and played scrum half for Fermoy and Young Munster.
Do you have any non-horsey hobbies?
I’m a Liverpool fan and go when I can get a ticket. I last went when they played AC Milan in the Champions League this season. I play six-a-side myself.
Who is your non-racing hero?
Roy Keane – he’s straight to the point with no bullsh*t!