Ballyhooly native, Willie McCarthy has recently been crowned Champion Jockey for 2014 in America, securing the prestigious title with an impressive 23 wins over the season.

In total Willie finished in the top three in 51 of his 91 starts throughout the season, claiming over $730,000 in prize money.

Seeing him ride his final winner of the season were his father Pat McCarthy, brother Ed and cousin Paul Flynn, from Glanworth, and were witness to him receiving his award. 2014 proved a milestone year for the North Cork jockey, winning, among others, the Champion Hurdle, the Gold Cup, the Carolina Cup and the New Jersey Hunt Cup. His biggest prize win of $150,000 came on-board Divinefortune in the Iroquios Grade 1 Chase. His previous highest season earnings were €310,000.

Speaking to The Avondhu this week, Willie said he first learned to ride in Rahard, Ballyhooly, at his grandparent’s farm.

“I was taught by my uncles, the well-known former jockey’s Johnny (RIP) and Tom Lombard. I had a career in Ireland riding point to point’s successfully and moved to England for a very fruitful stint as a professional jockey with Tom George.”

On the Champion Jockey leader board, Willie finished nine wins clear of his nearest rivals, despite missing a period in the summer with a broken wrist.

“I had a great spring meet, winning with a bunch, and was six wins clear of my closest rival by June. I broke my wrist right before the summer meet playing soccer of all things, I had surgery to have a screw put in it and continued riding but only managed one winner over the summer season, which let my closest rivals Ross Geraghty and Paddy Young close into just a one win lead.

“But when the autumn season began I never looked back, I had winners every weekend and doubles numerous weekends to finally put my first Leading Rider award in the bag,” he said.

Willie rides primarily for Hall of Fame trainer, Jonathon Sheppard who supplied him over half his winners this season. In his acceptance speech, he dedicated the award to his uncle Jim Lombard who died tragically in a racing accident many years ago, and to Johnny Lombard who passed away more recently.

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