Laois vet student riding out for Willie Mullins stables at Cheltenham

A Laois veterinary student was one of two Laois women who graduated from the same secondary school that were riding for the prestigious Willie Mullins Stables at the Cheltenham horse racing festival in the UK this year.

Julie McDonald, 23, from Spink is studying to be a vet in Poland.

She took a week off her studies to work at Cheltenham, exercising and leading out the thoroughbred racers for the world renowned trainer.

Julie had the privilege of riding racehorse Kitzbuhel which went on to win the Brown Advisory race. 

Julie spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live afterwards.

"I work for Willie part-time, when I'm not in college. It's nice to take a week off college for it, it's my third time going, it was great. It's very exciting to go. Willie is fantastic to work for, he's a gentleman," she said.

Her responsibility is to ride out the horses and lead them out in the parade ring.

Julie has been riding horses since the age of five.

"We have ponies at home, I love horses. When I graduate I hope to work with large animals," she said.

She is a past pupil of Heywood Community School, and coincidentally so is Isabelle McWey from Ballyroan who was also working for Willie Mullins at Cheltenham this year.

The number of women in professional horse racing is growing, Julie says.

"There are a lot more female workers and jockeys, it's starting to be a lot more common," she said.

Julie is in her third year of five to study to be a vet in Poland.

Learning the Polish language was part of her coursework.

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It is a choice that many other Irish students are making, Julie explained.

"I'm enjoying it but I can't wait to be finished. I will definitely come home once I'm qualified. 

"A lot of Irish students are choosing to study veterinary here in Poland, it's much easier to access the courses, it's harder at home," she said.