Jockey Killian Leonard Finds New Success in Breeze-Up Riding

After losing his claim, the former top apprentice has reinvented himself as a go-to breeze-up jockey.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:42pm

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Jockey Killian Leonard, who burst onto the Irish racing scene as a top apprentice, has found new success in recent years by reinventing himself as a breeze-up rider. After losing his claim and struggling to get rides, Leonard returned to the breeze-up circuit in 2024 and has become one of the most in-demand jockeys, riding for top consignors and finding the specialized skills required suit his riding style.

Why it matters

Leonard's story highlights the challenges young jockeys can face when they lose their apprentice claim, as well as the evolving landscape of the breeze-up sales market. His ability to adapt and find a new niche showcases the resilience required to sustain a riding career, while the growing prominence of breeze-up sales underscores the importance of specialized skills in that segment of the Thoroughbred industry.

The details

After a breakout 2015-2016 season in Ireland where he rode 29 winners and earned over €500,000, Leonard's rides began to dry up when he lost his claim. He tried stints in England and Qatar, but eventually returned to the breeze-up circuit in 2024 at the urging of trainers Eoin McDonagh and Danny O'Donovan. Leonard has found the specialized skills required for breeze-up riding, like getting fractions exactly right and working with young horses, to be a natural fit for his riding style. The breeze-up business has also become a crucial part of his income, with Leonard sometimes riding 25-30 horses per day during the spring sales season.

  • Leonard burst onto the Irish racing scene in 2015 and 2016.
  • He lost his claim as an apprentice in the following years.
  • In 2023, Leonard rode just 2 winners.
  • Leonard returned to the breeze-up circuit in 2024.
  • Leonard is getting married to his partner Avril in August 2026.

The players

Killian Leonard

A 32-year-old jockey from County Cork, Ireland who has reinvented himself as a successful breeze-up rider after struggling to get rides when he lost his apprentice claim.

Eoin McDonagh

Trainer at Shanaville Stables who encouraged Leonard to return to breeze-up riding in 2024.

Danny O'Donovan

Trainer who also asked Leonard to help with breezing horses in 2024, helping kickstart his new career path.

Avril

Leonard's partner, who is a personal trainer and helps him maintain his fitness for the demanding breeze-up schedule.

Tony D'Amato

The character played by Al Pacino in the film Any Given Sunday, whose inspirational speech about the importance of 'inches' resonates with Leonard's approach to breeze-up riding.

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What they’re saying

“I have reinvented myself as a breeze-up jockey because I had no other choice. The rides were drying up on the track and, in order to make a few quid and get going again, I had to do something.”

— Killian Leonard, Jockey

“It's a bit of a skill. It is the complete opposite to race-riding as you need to be sharper. My style of riding seems to suit the breeze-ups. I like to get in behind a horse and I like to encourage them forward.”

— Killian Leonard, Jockey

“The breeze-ups have definitely become an important part of my year, in terms of finances. I work hard, though. I start out in the mornings at 6am with Paddy Vaughan, then I could go to Thomond O'Mara at 9.30am before trotting down to Willie Browne's to meet Eoin, Danny or even Mick Fitzpatrick.”

— Killian Leonard, Jockey

What’s next

Leonard is looking forward to riding at the upcoming breeze-up sales, where he expects to see continued improvement in the quality of horses on offer. He is particularly high on the prospects of first-season sires like Mehmas, whose progeny he has been impressed by in his early breezing work.

The takeaway

Killian Leonard's story demonstrates the resilience and adaptability required to sustain a successful riding career. After struggling when he lost his apprentice claim, he has reinvented himself as a top breeze-up jockey, leveraging his specialized skills and work ethic to find a new niche in the industry. His experience highlights the evolving landscape of Thoroughbred racing and the importance of diversifying one's skillset to stay competitive.