Brought to you by TG4
“You could take any drug in the world… but paradise for me was riding that winner.”
You need many things to succeed in a competitive sport. Hard work, passion, endurance and persistence are words used a lot, but it takes something special to really stand out.
There has to be a bit of a spark, a side to your personality that makes you want to always be top of the podium. While that can help you reach the top of your game, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is often left by the wayside.
As Athlone jockey Paddy Merrigan said himself, even from a young age he wanted to stand out. By the time he way 17 years old he was already at the top of his game, and going back even further he was always a bit of a live wire:
“I was 100-mile-an-hour, I couldn’t sit still. I would run around all day and then in the evening I would just drop and fall asleep anywhere.”
Airing tonight (Wednesday, 23 October) at 9.30pm on TG4, this is the fourth episode of the Irish channel’s documentary series. Telling some of the most hard-hitting and fascinating stories about people from all walks of life, Paddy’s sudden fall from grace would knock the wind out of anyone’s sails.
Catch up on the TG4 Player here.
After losing out on his partnership with renowned horse Souffleur, Paddy’s world and career fell apart. Now, he’s ready to come back and be the best in his game once again.
Watch Finné on Wednesday nights, 9.30pm on TG4. You can also catch up on the TG4 Player and view from anywhere around the world.
Brought to you by TG4
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