Young Kerry jockey celebrates epic Dingle Derby win – ‘It was class'

Irish Independent

a day ago

The north Kerry youngster is one of the best up-and-coming riders in the horse-and-pony racing scene. The precocious 14-year-old certainly stamped his name on the sport by winning a race previously won by greats like Jack Kennedy, Paul Townend and Dylan Browne McMonagle.
The son of Katie and Joe Roberts received a rapturous reception from the crowd after he crossed the line as the heavy mist rolled in from Dingle Bay.
The 2024 Champion Pony Jockey kept his horse close to the front in a frenetically run race. But it was Billy and Here We Go Again that eventually emerged from the fog to win.
'At the start, he [Here We Go Again] wouldn't travel with me but after I got him going he was half running away with me everywhere. We went at slower fractions than last year, and he just flew home. There was no horse going to beat him,' Billy told The Kerryman.
'It was a class feeling. I couldn't believe it when crossing the line. It's the Cheltenham of horse-and-pony racing. I thought I was after going a lap too early, but thank God I didn't,' he added.
Billy rides out every weekend at the Athea yard of trainer Eoin McCarthy – a major help in Billy's career. Gary Noonan is another from the yard that Billy looks up to, while his idol is fellow Kerry man and ace jockey Jack Kennedy.
'They know their way around horses, that's for sure. They help me and inspire me to keep going,' Billy said.
Billy rode a four timer at Ballybunion in June and is on six winners for the season. He says he will continue to work hard and take the opportunities that come his way. In terms of future ambitions, he wouldn't mind taking on some of the sport's biggest meetings.
'People like Jackie Mulvihill and John Long got me started last year with my first winner. I'm just delighted with the start I got. I suppose I wouldn't mind winning the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle someday, or something along those lines,' he said.
For Billy's family, watching the Dingle action unfold was as much exciting as it was nervous. They were overjoyed for Billy as it rewards his hard work and dedication.
Billy started out with riding lessons from Laura Collins in Ballinclogher West aged nine. The link with horse-and-pony racing comes from his father's side of the family – a Wexford native – whose cousin took part in the sport.
'We went to one race meeting to watch it and that was it. Billy just loved it. Even though he didn't start horse riding until he was about nine, that didn't stop him from riding the rocking horse around the house, or any armchair and couch he could find. He just loves it,' said Katie.
'We celebrated in Dingle on Sunday night in Paul Geaney's Bar and Barr Na Sraide because they both sponsored the cup. We had a great time. Billy's taking the day off today,' she said.