Staff WriterNow, some readers might be wondering: what’s a National Hunt jockey doing in a golf publication? Well, the answer’s simpler than a three-foot putt. Golf has become Gavin Sheehan’s sanctuary.
The saddle might be his office, but the fairways are his therapy. Racing is a seven-day-a-week grind, full of 5 a.m. starts, relentless travel, and the constant weight battle. Golf, on the other hand, gives Sheehan space to breathe, compete, and reset.
Gavin Sheehan has never been one to make a song and dance about his achievements, but with 863 winners and over £9 million in prize money, the Irish jump jockey has earned his place among the sport’s most respected riders.
Known for his tactical nous and ice-cold decision making, Sheehan has tasted glory in some of National Hunt racing’s biggest contests, including the King George VI Chase.
Yet as Champions: Full Gallop series two hits ITV this October, viewers will see a side of Gavin Sheehan that rarely makes the racing pages—life as a father, a golfer, and a man balancing risk, recovery, and reality.
“In this series, viewers will learn that we’re not just machines on the racecourse, we’re real people with lives, families, and personalities off the track,” Sheehan says.
“With Teddy at home and the work behind the scenes, it gives a fuller picture of who I am beyond racing.”
Racing for more than money
Prize money might headline the statistics, but for Sheehan it’s never been the fuel.
“I’ve never been driven by prize money. What gets me out of bed every morning is the chance to get on a good horse — that’s what gives me the real buzz. I don’t tend to set long-term targets; I like to take each day as it comes.
For me, the focus is simply on doing better than last year and making sure I stay in that 100-winners circle each season.”
That’s the mentality of a man who understands that every ride could be the one that defines a season.
Inside the King George VI Chase
When it comes to the sport’s crown jewels, the small margins matter most. For Sheehan, the start of a big race is non-negotiable.
“In a race like the King George VI Chase, the start is non-negotiable; you can win a race there, so you need to make sure you get that right. From that point on, it’s all about feel. The horse tells you everything.
Over the distance of the three miles, when I was on Hewick, it was about encouraging him to keep going without using up absolutely everything too soon, because the winning line was a circuit away, not down the back straight.
“I’ve built a really strong sense of how much a horse has left in the tank underneath me, and I trust my instincts to judge the right moment: when to commit, and when to wait.”
It’s that sixth sense, honed in the saddle, that sets Sheehan apart from his peers.
Swing thoughts and saddle thoughts
Not many jump jockeys admit to finding their sanity in golf, but Gavin Sheehan is not most jockeys. His love affair with the game began in 2012, playing alongside Peter Carberry, Mark Grant, and David Crosse.
“When I first picked up golf back in 2012… it just clicked because it was still competitive, but also relaxed, good exercise, and not dangerous, unless you get hit by a ball!
It didn’t become a weekly thing until around 2016, but now it’s my reset. It’s my way of switching off from racing and doing something completely different. At the end of the day, I just love playing sports, and golf gives me that balance.”
Balance, indeed—Sheehan now plays off an 8.8 handicap and squeezes in golf trips to Belgium’s Durbuy course when racing’s demands allow.
“I’ve managed to get my handicap down to 8.8, which I’m pretty proud of. A good golfing week for me fits in between the busy racing schedule, usually June through September, because once the early starts kick in, I am riding every day and when the clocks change, the clubs go away.”
The parallels between the fairways and the fences aren’t lost on him either.
“In both golf and racing, focus is everything. In golf, every shot needs your full attention, and in racing it’s the same with every horse you ride… They’re also both individual sports, so the mindset is quite similar: it’s down to you to make the right decisions.”
Fatherhood, perspective, and flapjacks
Of course, the biggest change in Sheehan’s life isn’t his handicap—it’s Teddy, his young son.
“When Teddy was first born, I was running on pure adrenaline, I even rode a couple of winners straight after. But I’ll admit, in those first few days I was more mindful of the risks in my sport because of him… Now, if I’ve had a really tough day, going back to Teddy makes me forget straight away. He puts everything into perspective.”
Perspective comes in many forms, including diet. Sheehan works with nutritionist Matt Nolan of We Prep to keep his energy levels in check whether he’s in the weighing room or on the golf course.
“My go-to snack is usually a good flapjack – simple, reliable, and keeps me going.”
Golf bag secrets and bucket-list dreams
Like any golfer, Gavin Sheehan has his favourites.
“I’ve got the full set in my bag, but the most reliable club for me is the five wood, it’s the one I can always trust. My favourite though, has to be the 58-degree wedge, just because you can play so many different shots with it.”
He’s also got his eyes on Adare Manor ahead of the 2027 Ryder Cup.
“Adare Manor is probably the best course in Ireland, and there’s that great connection with JP McManus through racing… So, it would be quite nostalgic to finally play there. And if I ever got the chance to tee it up in the Pro-Am, that would be pretty special.”
The grind of being a jump jockey
If golf offers an escape, racing keeps Sheehan grounded in reality. The casual fan, he says, often underestimates just how hard life as a jockey can be.
“I’d like casual sports fans to understand just how demanding life is as a jump jockey. We spend hours a day in the car every week, which isn’t paid for, we have to constantly manage our weight and have little to no days off in the peak season.
There are even times when we go racing and make a loss, which is the tough reality of the sport. It’s challenging, but the camaraderie and the standards we hold ourselves to make it all worthwhile.”
A man defined by more than racing
For Gavin Sheehan, Champions: Full Gallop series two isn’t just about showing the grit of a jockey—it’s about revealing the man behind the silks. A man who can win a King George, hack a ball around Wrag Barn, and still make it home in time for Teddy’s bedtime.
He’s not just a statistic or a silhouette flying a fence; he’s a father, a competitor, and a golfer who happens to ride 600 kilos of muscle over three miles for a living.
And in the world of jump racing, that’s a rare balance worth celebrating.
Champions: Full Gallop will air on ITV1 this October.
