My name is Niall Byrne and I’m a point-to-point stewards secretary. I’ve been involved in the racing industry since 1975. I attended the RACE at the age of 14. Upon completion I was awarded apprentice of the year. As part of the course syllabus I was sent to Mr Dermot Weld on work placement where I signed on for three years and attained a few rides. When I finished my apprenticeship Mr Weld encouraged me to go to England for experience, so I set off and began working for Charlie Williams. I remained with Charlie for two years and rode 5 winners.

Upon my return to Ireland I began working for Mr Jim Bolger. I spent 5 years riding for Mr Bolger and rode around 20 winners for him both on the flat and over jumps. It was through Mr Bolger that I met Hugh McCaffery who was an accountant by trade but held a permit to train racehorses. I was his racing manager and assistant trainer for three years and under my care we trained Erins Invader to win the prestigious Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot.

I spent the next five years working for top Japanese owners Mr Kondo and Mr Suzuka in Hokkaido Japan which I couldn’t recommend enough, the experience and knowledge I obtained there was second to none. I decided to move home for good in 1994 and was contacted by a very good friend of mine, the late Derek O’Sullivan (former Director of RACE) and was offered a job as an instructor in RACE. which I still do today. In 2001 the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board were looking to hire part time steward secretaries so I applied and got the role.

I now spend either Saturday or Sunday attending point-to-points around the country. My day at a point-to-point meeting consists of arriving two hours before the first race and ensuring all declared runners are present and that their microchips are checked, briefing official personnel before commencement of the races i.e. ambulance crew and fence attendants, walking the track to ensure fences are in the correct place and flags are in position, typing up the end of day report and submitting it to the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and assisting the acting stewards with enquiries.

Training for this role involves shadowing an experienced steward for a minimum of six meetings. Through this you gain valuable knowledge on the rules of racing and the daily running of a point-to-point fixture. For anyone who may be interested in pursuing this role I would recommend that they have a strong knowledge of the racing industry, be competent with the handling of racehorses, be willing to travel, and have some administration skills.

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