Exciting young Limerick jockey to make racecourse debut on Friday

HIGHLY-RATED young Rathkeale jockey Calum Hogan is to make his racecourse debut tomorrow, Friday, evening at Dundalk Racecourse.

Sixteen-year-old Hogan is set to ride the John 'Shark' Hanlon-trained Yorkshire Pirlo in the Dundalkstadium.com Apprentice Handicap (47-65) over a mile at 7pm. The race can be viewed live on the Racing TV channel.

Members of Calum's family are travelling up to Dundalk Racecourse to watch him make his racecourse debut at the Co Louth venue, while he will also have big support from the people of Rathkeale and the West Limerick area on a milestone day in the saddle.

Last year, Calum made the transition from the pony racing circuit to signing on as an apprentice with up and coming young trainer Donnacha O'Brien, based near Cashel, Co Tipperary.

Calum, who is a fifth year student at Colaiste Na Trócaire in Rathkeale, plans to finish secondary school before concentrating full-time on his race riding career.

The promising young Limerick rider has had great success on the flapping scene, with Bubba Watson winning for his West Limerick connections at the famed Dingle Races on Derby day.

Calum spent his childhood riding his pony Trigger, before eventually riding out for Rathkeale trainer Eric McNamara at 11 years of age old under the watchful eye of his dad Ray, who has ridden plenty of winners as a National Hunt jockey himself.

Calum, who is the second oldest of four children to Ray and Rose, picked up the racing bug from a young age and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his dad Ray and first cousin Trevor Naughton. He is hoping to emulate the success of other top Limerick jockeys, including the likes of Emmet and Conor McNamara, Chris Hayes and Billy Lee.