The people behind the moment

We showcase the stories of the many brilliant people of all ages and skills who work in the Irish racing and breeding industry, incl. jockeys, trainers, and so much more.

Rachel Robbins, Groom of Cheltenham Grade 1 winners Stateman and Gaelic Warrior

“Speechless” 🥹 Groom Rachel Robbins had an epic day one of the Cheltenham Festival. She has the lucky job of looking after Stateman & Gaelic Warrior, both Grade 1 winners on Day 1 of the 2024 Festival🏆 #PeopleBehindTheMoment #GreenTeam

Padraic Butler - Part Time Racehorse Trainer in Co.Cork with a runner in Cheltenham

This year Cork trainer Padriac Butler sent out his first ever Cheltenham Festival runner with De Capo Glory. Paudy trains a small string part time, whilst simultaneously working in the pharmaceutical industry. A dream coming true for him and his family☘️ #PeopleBehindTheMoment #GreenTeam

Going to Cheltenham with one runner: Meet trainer Neil Durkan and assistant trainer Gary Bannon

“You have to believe in your horse” ❤️ It was lovely to catch up with Neil Durkan (Trainer) and Gary Bannon (Assistant Trainer) of Eagle Fang. A small Co.Dublin yard who had just one runner at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. Listen to hear their with Bernard Jackman & Fran Berry on what it means ...

The Lorry Diaries: Part 1 (Travelling horses to Cheltenham)

Lorry diaries: Part 1 🚛🐎 Martin Fox & Brian Moloney take us for a tour inside the John McConnell Racing horse lorry to show us what is involved when travelling horses to run at the likes of The Cheltenham Festival. Wait to the end for a special fashion feature 😉 #PeopleBehindTheMoment ...

The Lorry Diaries: Part II - Travelling Irish horses to Cheltenham

The Lorry Diaries: Part II Martin Fox and Brian Moloney from John McConnell Racing give us a further insight into travelling horses from Ireland to the UK and abroad for race-meetings and festivals 🐎🚛 A huge amount of work & attention to detail involved. Martin & Brian talk us through ...

Nicola Dowling on travelling over with horse Eagles Reign to the Cheltenham Festival

Nicola Dowling is the Head Travelling Person at Ross O'Sullivan Racing. We spoke to her about travelling over from Kill, Co.Kildare to Cheltenham with their runner Eagles Reign. #PeopleBehindTheMoment #GreenTeam

Sean Healy, Horse Racing Photographer

During the Cheltenham Festival we caught up with horse racing photographer Sean Healy of Healy Racing Photographers to find out more about what his job entails on a raceday. Listen as Sean swaps from being behind the camera to in-front of the camera to tell us his story. #PeopleBehindTheMoment

Aine O'Connor on competing at The Cheltenham Festival as an amateur jockey

Our own Aine O'Connor (equuip co-ordinator) spoke with Fran Berry and Bernard Jackman at The Cheltenham Festival about being an amateur jockey and competiting at Cheltenham, the Olympics of horse racing. #PeopleBehindTheMoment #WomenBehindTheMoment #GreenTeam

Women Behind The Moment - Horse Racing & Breeding Industry

Little girls with dreams, become women with vision. Women work across all aspects of the horse racing & breeding industry in Ireland. Today on International Women’s Day we’re celebrating all of them. #WomenBehindTheMoment #IWD2023 #EmbraceEquity

The role of the jockey valets on racedays

A vital part of every flat racemeeting are the skilled and hardworking stall handlers who load horses and jockeys safely into the stalls. Watch to see what their role involves on a raceday.

Eddie Linehan - Bloodstock Agent & Breeze Up Consignor

I love going to the sales, it’s like going on holidays!” Eddie Linehan has experienced most areas of the throughbred industry & is now putting his experience to good use as a breeze up consignor & bloodstock agent. We caught up with him to hear about his journey & the work that goes into prepping ...

Emma Connolly - Assistant Trainer & Head Travelling Lass

We followed Emma Connolly for a day to see what she gets up to on a typical day as Assistant Trainer & Head Travelling Lass for racehorse trainer Noel Meade in Castletown, Co.Meath. #equuip #peoplebehindthemoment #irishracing

Peter Maher, Farrier

Well talk to Peter's farrier David and his experience of being part of the journey to Punchestown.

When I grow up I want to be a jockey - Webinar

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a jockey? Leading riders Rachael Blackmore, Emmet McNamara, Gavin Ryan and up and coming apprentice Eamonn Fitzgerald talk to Leo Powell about their route into racing.

Who are the people that make the moment?

It takes a lot of effort from a lot of people to get a horse to pass the post in first place, hear some of the stories from the people behind the moment.

Eamonn Fitzgerald - Life of an Apprentice Jockey

Up and coming jockey Eamonn Fitzgerald speaks to equuip about his experiences as an apprentice with Michael Halford

Mark Power, Assistant Trainer - Joseph O'Brien Racing

Mark Power started working with horses when he was thirteen, a graduate of Maynooth University and the Thoroughbred Breeding Course in the Irish National Stud, Mark now works with Joseph O'Brien as an Assistant Trainer.

Elaine O'Donovan - Assistant Trainer at Eoin Griffin Racing

Fate shined a light on Elaine O'Donovan when trainer Eoin Griffin moved in next door to her parents dairy farm in 1998, Elaine has been working with Eoin ever since.

Emma Dunning - Racing Secretary

Emma Dunning is a graduate of Maynooth University with a passion for horses, Emma now works with Joseph O'Brien as a racing secretary.

Ross O'Sullivan - Life as a Racehorse Trainer

Growing up on the curragh plains meant that horses were always a part of Ross O'Sullivan's life, Ross started out riding as an amateur and now trains horses in Co. Kildare