John Stagg gets back in the saddle

FAMILY TIES John Stagg from Hollymount is pictured with his wife Sinead and daughters Lauren, Emma and Chloe at a Family Fun Day at the Festival of the Saucer last year. Pic: Trish Forde

John Stagg from Hollymount will ride in the Punchestown Charity Race next weekend

Feature
Ger Flanagan

IT’S 26 years since John Stagg last rode around Ballinrobe Racecourse.
Then a promising, nimble and enthusiastic 16-year-old, the Hollymount native rode his father’s mare, Tricky Nellie, around the famed track in all its glory before he decided to hang the saddle up permanently and switch his attention to Gaelic football.
That was until last Saturday week when the now 42 year-old reeled in the years and saddled up once more at Mayo’s only racecourse. Although this time, he says, there wasn’t the same level of grace.
“I was coming up around the front of the racecourse in full gallop,” he recalled last week. “But things didn’t exactly go to plan and I ended up on my back! And the mare, who was a bit too eager, went through the plastic rail.
“They talk about those few moments, about what passes through your mind before you die! It wasn’t quite like that, but I did think, ‘Where on earth am I going to land’?
“I have a few bruises to prove it and it was the talk of the town that night, but if anything it gave me the thrill of it all again.”
But despite what you may think, John ‘Scoop’ Stagg wasn’t doing it for an adrenaline fix or because of a stubborn battle with age.
Next Saturday, April 28, the father of three will ride in the Punchestown Charity Race, live on At The Races at 6.30pm, in aid of the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund.
There was always a little desire to get back on a horse for one more go, but the extra inspiration he needed came from within his own community.
“I had planned on doing it two years ago, but I hurt my back so I had to put it on hold,” he explained. “Everything I raise is going to that great charity and people have been very generous so far in helping me raise nearly €2,000, but we’re hoping to get to €6,000.
“And when it comes to promoting ‘Carry A Donor Card’ , Michaela Morley from Hollymount, a friend of Brian O’Driscoll, is top of the pops and a true inspiration to everyone in our local community. So this was the perfect excuse.”
Preparing to ride in a proper race again after all these years hasn’t been easy though, as we soon find out when Stagg reveals his recent regime.
“The biggest challenge for me has been the weight issue,” he smiled. “Anyone that knows me knows I like my food and drink, and that my discipline isn’t the best. But I’ve lost two stone since Christmas.
“Thankfully, the whole community has really got behind me. I’ve been riding out in Michael Flannery’s in Ballinrobe  – where I’ve almost forgot how to do it it’s been that long – doing spin classes, swimming, running and going to the gym.
“Catherine Duignan has been making sure my nutrition is right, while Paula O’Neill and Brendan Fitzpatrick have been keeping the body in shape and the back right.”
After some help from a family friend, Mary Mullins, Stagg will be riding a horse trained by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon from Co Carlow in Punchestown next weekend, alongside 24 other jockeys, including top Irish showjumper Bertram Allen.
At this stage, John Stagg is counting down the days and hopes everyone can get behind his raise much needed funds for the charity.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “But at this stage I’m looking forward to a good meal too! Realistically, my chances of winning are very slim so if people want to spend some money, I’d prefer if they donated it to the chosen charity.
“At the end of the day, this is all about the charity and the people who will benefit from it most. We are hoping to raise €6,000 and we would appreciate anything people could give us for this great cause.”

To Donate
IF you’d like to make a donation to the Irish Kidney Association, go to John Stagg’s fund-raising page at www.gofundme.com/punchestown-charity-horse-race