Samantha Wynne, from Tallaght, who started racing as an apprentice jockey in Ireland after graduating from RACE in 2005, is closing in on her dream to ride 100 winners in New Zealand.

Sam Wynne is congratulated by trainer Tommy Beckett after the pair combined for victory in the Listed Riverton Cup with Miss Three Stars, April 2015. Photo Robyn Edie/Fairfax NZ

Having arrived in New Zealand to pursue her riding career in 2012, Samantha has already achieved 96 wins.

She is certainly in the news.  RTE interviewed her today about her  success and how she  started her interest in horses by riding bare-back on the open spaces in Tallaght. She recounts how she learned to ride with a saddle in the Fettercairn Youth Horse Project and how  she attended the RACE jockey school in the Curragh. Listen to the RTE Samantha Wynne podcast.

Over in New Zealand, Samantha is also making the headlines with “Irish jockey Sam is Wynne by name but win by nature” in the national media. In this inspiring article, it can be seen that Samantha Wynne’s success is driven by hard work, total focus and a down-to-earth attitude.

Samantha Wynne, South Island’s leading apprentice with 43 winners in 2013-2014

Both media pieces are an inspiration to all the youth in Tallaght and beyond who have a dream to succeed in the racing world.