A dream start is something every young jockey hopes for—but few experience quite like this. University student Michael Delahunty is still riding a wave of excitement after steering his first-ever Flat race winner last Wednesday, a remarkable feat achieved on his very first attempt—and for his own father, trainer William Delahunty. While looming university exams will soon pull him back to academic life, Delahunty admits he’s already eager to return to the adrenaline and atmosphere of race riding.
The horse behind his memorable win, Voice Of Reason, had already proven its class under top jockey Seamie Heffernan last month. This time, under Delahunty’s guidance, the horse showed true grit to fend off Tatateo in the 1m4f handicap race. The victory granted the 22-year-old amateur—who claims 7lb—his first win from just his second-ever competitive ride across both Flat and National Hunt disciplines. Not bad for someone juggling textbooks and tack boxes.
His sheer enthusiasm shone through during a post-race interview with Racing TV, quickly winning over fans across the racing world. The young rider later admitted he was stunned by the outpouring of messages and support. “It’s unbelievable—the reception I’ve been getting since I looked at my phone after the race,” he said. “It’s amazing how many people are cheering you on just because they share a love for racing.”
For context, Delahunty’s only prior outing had been a bumper ride at Cork last August. Reflecting on the progress of Voice Of Reason, he noted that the horse had been nudged up 6lb after the previous win and now sat just 1lb higher than when acquired. “Initially, we thought his mark was a bit harsh based on his hurdles form, and he eventually slipped into the 60s—but he won’t be running at that level again,” he said with a smile.
Delahunty’s appreciation of the horse’s ability runs deep. “He got an RPR of 89 on debut when finishing third behind Cairo, which looked like serious form,” he explained. Interestingly, the family didn’t even hold a Flat licence at the time, but Delahunty’s love of Flat racing inspired the move. “We wanted a horse that could push us towards getting that licence,” he said.
From the small town of Mullinavat in County Kilkenny, Delahunty is currently completing his final year at Waterford SETU, majoring in Economics and Finance. Winning a race wasn’t part of his academic plans for 2025—but as it turned out, the textbooks had to share the spotlight. “Riding a winner wasn’t on the priority list,” he admitted. “After my Leaving Cert, I spent some time with Gordon Elliott’s yard, and that’s where I really caught the racing bug. It’s hard not to when you’re around top-class jockeys daily.”
Despite his success, Delahunty remains practical about his future. “I got my amateur licence but never planned to chase outside rides too much,” he said. “My interest has always leaned more toward training and conditioning horses.” Life on the family farm is lively—three horses in work, a few young prospects, and cattle to tend to. “We stay busy,” he laughed. “I nearly forgot how thrilling it felt to race again. For the past few months, I’ve been going to Joseph O’Brien’s twice a week, and that definitely reignited the spark.”
So, what’s next for the young economist-turned-rider? “I won’t be knocking down doors for outside mounts,” he admitted. “But if an opportunity came up, of course I’d give it thought.”
But here’s where things get interesting: should talented amateurs like Delahunty focus on racing careers early, or keep it as a passion alongside other ambitions? Many young riders face the same dilemma—chasing dreams versus building a stable future. What would you do in his position? Drop your thoughts below—would you risk it all for the ride of a lifetime?