In an exclusive interview with BOYLE Sports, 27-year-old Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Cian Collins reveals the biggest lessons he learned during six years with Gordon Elliott, heaps praise on the returning Jack Kennedy, discusses his training goals and the switch from riding to the sidelines.
He also explains how he plans to take on Ireland’s mega-yards and talks through his current team – with flagbearer Jazzy Matty firmly in his sights for another Festival tilt in 2026.
Gordon Elliot
Learning From Gordon Elliot
I rode out for Gordon for five years after my accident, when I broke my back in a fall when I was 18. I always watched closely what was going on. I would watch Gordon a lot. I like the way he runs his horses.
Probably the biggest thing I learned was how we travelled to England with horses, ones that couldn't win in Ireland. We’d bring them over to England, and they could win a race over there, which would be a big thing.
You’d learn plenty at Gordon’s. It was a great place to learn. One of my first ones was Diego's Way. He never won a race in Ireland, but he won in Bangor one day, so he was one of my first winners in England. Gordon’s not afraid to run them, and they usually win. He wins a lot of races with often average horses, horses that others might think aren’t good enough; Gordon will find a race for them to win.
That is one of Gordon's great strengths: looking at options. He sent them over quite a lot. It's a big thing that he does, and that's how he got going. I’ve been trying to do something similar. He's totally self-made, and you've got to admire what he's done. He was very easy to work for. As long as you do the job right, he’s happy!
Jack Kennedy Return
He's [Elliott] unbelievable. The yard at Cullentra and the gallops are top class, and he’s getting the results. He had a four-timer at Cork at the weekend, all ridden by Jack Kennedy. It could have been a five timer, but one fell when going to win. He was very unlucky.
It must be pleasing to see Jack doing so well, considering all the hardships and injuries he’s been through. He’s a brilliant jockey who deserves everything that comes his way. Not many like him.
The Switch to Training
Training Goals
I'm not so sure about that! But we're trying anyway. I took out my licence when I was 24. It kind of just happened automatically, really; I pre-trained the horses for Gordon, and then step by step started training my own. That’s how it started.
It’s fine. You’re better off doing it younger than when you’re older. You’re more able for it. It’s going okay, so I'm happy enough. Probably [have any regrets about his riding career ending too soon]. But riding is a tough game; maybe I am better off doing what I am doing now.
You've got both feet on the ground. So, I am happy with where I am!
Training vs Riding
I find there is a lot more work to training than when I was riding - a lot more responsibility, and it’s harder. I don’t really mind the pressure at all, though. If anything, pressure is what keeps you going.
You’re dealing with the owners one one-on-one, and you have to deal with them and deal with the ups and downs of it all, so that's probably the number one thing.
Competing Against Ireland’s Mega Yards
You have to just try and get the best out of every horse. It is difficult, but it's all about the horses, really. You have to have the quality to be able to compete, and it’s just about trying to find the next Jazzy Matty, really.
I'd like to get better quality horses in the yard. Maybe keep the numbers similar enough, but get the quality up. There are opportunities to get horses at a reasonable price, but it’s not easy. Everybody wants the same. It is very hard to get the quality. You need the owners to be able to be able to buy them.
We're very lucky, we're very good owners and very nice people that have patience, and they’re great to have. We’re always looking for anything that has the ability, really. It's tough, but with a bunch of good owners, it makes it a lot easier.
My Racing Team
Jazzy Matty is number one, but there are a few nice ones there; Katie Daniels is a nice one as well. She likes soft ground and won a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last month.
Sopelana is a nice three-year-old and has run a few nice races. There are plenty of young horses there that haven't run yet. I am looking forward to next year.
Cheltenham
“Fairytale Cheltenham Win: Jazzy Matty
That was brilliant, unbelievable to get that with Jazzy Matty - it was a fairytale really. We were very hopeful, to be honest with you. We would have been more disappointed if it didn't happen. We were very confident going over, as you could be with a Cheltenham runner. So, we were delighted when it worked out.
We got him in the Caldwell horses in training dispersal sale in 2024, the one where Caldwell Potter went for a fortune. I had my eye on Jazzy Matty, and we got him for €50,000. He’d won for Gordon at Cheltenham (in 2023).
Things didn’t work out for him in the Galway Plate this summer, but he has three wins in eight starts over fences. He’s a flagbearer for us, and h e's just back in from a break. He will have a run somewhere at the end of January or early February and then go back to Cheltenham again.
You'd hope it would help you along and even down the road, too. Not too many people have trained a Cheltenham Festival winner, so it's good to have that on the CV.
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.
