Paul from Lisgoold, Co Cork, spent his teens on the pony circuit and won the Dingle Derby in 2006. He went to Willie Mullins for transition year and never left. Today he's a seven-time Irish champion with five Gold Cups and two Grand Nationals.
Pony racing days
Started on the ponies at 12 or 13 'and had a good bit of success'. Won the Dingle Derby on Tony B in 2006. He once fell into a patch of nettles after celebrating a pony race win in Kerry.
Career highlights
Number one jockey for Willie Mullins; five Cheltenham Gold Cups (Al Boum Photo x2, Galopin Des Champs x2, Gaelic Warrior); Aintree Grand National 2024 and 2026 on I Am Maximus; seven-time Irish champion jump jockey.
Sources
Free photo available: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) – credit the photographer if you use it.