Amateur jockey and assistant trainer to Jessica Harrington, Kate Harrington, 28, is incredibly proud of all her mother – one of Ireland’s most successful horse trainers – has achieved.
And Kate – who starts work at 6.45am and often doesn’t finish until 9pm or later – works alongside Jessica, 71, and older sister, Emma, 40, who is based in the office at the family business, based in Commonstown Stables, Moone.
From first entering into the industry after college, Kate said her mother instilled in her an inner strength to always know she was equal to every man in racing and to never believe any different.
That belief is why Jessica has lasted beyond most women in the training world, Kate believes.
“Mum was probably the first woman trainer in Ireland,” Kate said. “There’s more women trainers now but many have come and gone and mum has really put her stamp on the industry.
“You have to be tough skinned in this industry, as some see it as a man’s work but mum is so tough and strong, and she was the best possible example to me.
“I don’t look at myself differently to any man in racing. I go to a weighing room and I see myself as the same as them. Mum always taught me to go out there, to do the talking.”
Kate says she made the decision to work alongside her mother full-time after the death of her beloved father, esteemed trainer John Harrington, 77, in 2014 and despite the full working day, it’s a choice she’s never regretted.
“We are together all day,” Kate said. “I worked at home for six months after college but it didn’t work out, as I was still growing up, so I went to work for trainer Aidan O’Brien for three years and loved it.
“I learnt so much from them and then dad passed away. I decided then I wanted to come home and I did.
“It’s extra special to work with my family because we all share a passion but it’s difficult in other ways because we never shut up shop – we are working 356 days a year.”
During the heavy snowfall earlier this year, the Harrington women stood together, as always when the stable staff couldn’t make it into work to assist with the horses. “We had 140 horses to be fed,” Kate said. “We couldn’t get the staff in, so we had to do everything ourselves but we did it because we are dedicated to training as a family.
“I love working alongside mum and Emma. I adore my job and there just wouldn’t be anything else I’d love to do it. It can be hard in winter but during this glorious summer, I’ve been outside every day and we are in such beautiful surroundings.
“And yes, there is the odd mother and daughter row because that’s normal in every family but I’ve learnt so much from mum and in this industry, you never stop learning.”
Kate will be participating in the International Ladies Polo Tournament in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund at the All Ireland Polo Club at Phoenix Park, Dublin, on Saturday, August 18.
Some of the best riders in the world, from the UK, U.S, France, Germany, Spain, and Argentina, will be competing.
And the Trainers versus Jockeys polo match, will be managed by Jessica and fellow trainer, Noel Meade.
Kate will captain alongside Paul Carberry.
For more information, log onto www.ladiespolo.ie
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