Wayne Lordan
Trotting jockey makes a successful career in flat-racing by Chris O'Sullivan
Above: Wayne Lordan & "Saunders Spirit" chase to victory in the All-Ireland Saddle Championship 1996
Wayne Lordan was introduced to trotting by his brother, Pat, and by horse-owner Matt Murphy. After a phone-call from Matt, Wayne was persuaded into helping train trotters and it wasn't long before he rode his first race. Wayne's first and most memorable win, came aboard Murphy's "Saunders Spirit" in 1996, when the pair won the All-Ireland Trotting Championship, in Dunmanway.
Now, as a flat-jockey, Wayne is making a name for himself on the circuit, after having 5 wins in the US, in recent weeks. "The races I won were $7,500 claimers", he adds.
To date Wayne had had 72 wins in Ireland and a further 3 winners in the UK. After asking him about his racing future Wayne says he will "try to make the most of what he has and whatever he can get is a bonus" and will sign-up with Thomond O'Mara and Tommy Stack for the coming season.
Based in the US for 3 months, during the Winter, Wayne rode for various stables and had considerable success in a short-period of time. This was the first time Wayne has ridden in the US, but did visit for a brief 3-week trip in 2001.
Wayne describes his trotting-days as being "a lot different to riding a racehorse on the flat, but it was a great experience" and also explains how he "enjoyed every moment of it". "Saunders Spirit" was the first trotting horse Wayne rode and after his taste of success he took up the reins of John Shanahan's "I'm A Star" and "Suspended Hero" for Kevin O'Sullivan, among others.
Wayne's current lifestyle means he spends little time at home and can only visit a trotting meeting when he is home on holidays. "A jockey's day is very demanding with an early-rise of 06:45 and often doesn't return until midnight, especially from evening meetings" he explains.
The coming season is sure to be a busy one for Wayne and we wish him the best of luck in his racing career.
