Declan McDonogh and the 30-question HRI challenge

Moynalty man Declan McDonogh, son of Des and Helen McDonogh took the Horse Racing Ireland 30-question challenge for the Meath Chronicle in the fourth of our series.

1. What was your childhood ambition?

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to become champion jockey

2. Growing up, who was your sporting hero?

The American jockey, Steve Cauthen

3. Do you have a mentor?

My parents always see me right

4. What or where is your happy place?

On my mower or at a good concert

5. What sparked your love of racing?

Watching flat racing from a very early age and just loving it

6. What horse put you on the map?

Rebelline. Trained by Kevin Prendergast, she won six of her 11 races.

As a juvenile she won on her debut and then finished second to Vinnie Roe in the Eyrefield Stakes. In the following year she won the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial and the Pretty Polly Stakes as well as finishing third in the Prix de l'Opera.

She reached her peak as a four-year-old in 2002 when she was undefeated in three starts, taking the Gladness Stakes, Mooresbridge Stakes and Tattersalls Gold Cup which was my first Group 1 win. She was brilliant!

7. Who is your favourite horse?

Growing up, I loved Nashwan

8. What was it like to ride in your first race?

It was over before I realised – it was a five-furlong sprint at my home track in Navan

9. How long does it take to learn race-riding tactics?

Your always learning new things how to improve

10. Describe the feeling of riding your first winner?

It was so exciting, and I immediately wanted more

11. What is your most memorable racing moment?

I have two special moments. Becoming Irish champion jockey in 2006 and winning the Prix de l'Abbaye with Maarek the opening event on Arc day at Longchamp in 2013

12. What is your favourite Irish racecourse?

The Curragh

13. If you weren’t a jockey what would you be?

I have always had an interest in aeroplanes, so maybe a pilot

14. If you could ride one horse, what would it be?

Galileo

15. How do you cope with pressure?

I try to embrace it

16. What mental preparation do you do for the big days?

Treat it as I would a normal race day – stay centred and stick to my routine

17. How do you stay motivated?

Knowing the next good horse could be around the corner

18. How do you deal with dips in form?

Everyone has them sometimes, but just believe that it will pass.

19. Outside of racing, what is your favourite sporting moment?

Any of the Meath footballers All-Ireland SFC wins. The players used to bring the Sam Maguire Cup to Moynalty school when I was there.

20. Can you give us a Netflix/film recommendation?

I really enjoy Ozark and The Wire

21. What is your guilty pleasure?

Terry’s chocolate orange

22. Desert island discs – name your favourite three songs?

Anything by the National or Sam Fender at the moment

23. What person do you admire the most and why?

Barack Obama, I think he has great charisma

24. Where is your favourite place to go on holidays?

Tie between Cape Town in South Africa or Sydney in Australia.

25. What ambitions do you still have?

To become champion jockey again

26. When you think of your home/Meath what immediately springs to mind?

All the great memories growing up in Moynalty

27. How are you occupying your time during the Covid-19 restrictions?

My wife and I have our 10-month-old daughter Poppy to look after and she is keeping us busy. I am also riding out in Joseph O’Brien’s three days a week

28. If you had one piece of advice for everyone during these worrying times of Covid-19, what would it be?

Know that this will soon pass

29. If you were to go back to when you were 20 years old and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

I don’t look back, only forward

30. Favourite saying/quote?.

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall” – Nelson Mandella.