Jockey Sean Flanaghan Wants To Fly High As A Pilot

Irish jockey and qualified pilot Sean Flanagan says flying commercial jets for Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary would be a dream job

Popular Irish jockey Sean Flanagan, a favourite with the Downpatrick race-goers, has said he would happily take a job with Gigginstown and Ryanair supremo Michael O’Leary when he hangs up his saddle as the rider aims to complete a commercial pilots licence.

Flanagan, who is set to ride Marine Nationale at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival later this month, is also a qualified pilot of smaller aircraft and frequently flies himself – and other jockeys – to race meetings in Ireland and over in Britain.

Speaking to BoyleSports, who will be offering the latestxa0Leopardstown Christmas Festival oddsxa0later this month, Flanagan revealed that getting his commercial licence is a possibility and that working for O’Leary, one of Ireland’s most polarising figures, would be a “dream job” when he hangs up the saddle.

Flanagan said: “It would be good. At least he’d [O’Leary] be giving me some sort of a job!

“It’s definitely an option. I always said the only way I could find the time at the moment is if I have an injury that keeps me out for a while. That is very possible in our game.

“If it did happen, I’d be straight on studying for the commercial exams. There are 14 written exams I’d have to take and 250 hours and a lot of SIM instrument training. I already have about 400 hours of solo flying.

“It really appeals to me – it would be the dream job. Flying for Ryanair would be the ultimate. Imagine Captain Flanagan! If anyone I knew heard me welcome them aboard, they’d turn round and jump off quick enough.”

“I’ve been to Gowran and Cork, Killarney and Sligo. There’s a few more to tick off but I’ll get there. I need a flat line where there are no hurdles so I can land on that!

“In the UK I’ve flown to Cheltenham, Aintree, Uttoxeter, Cartmel. Haydock, Ayr. I’m getting through them.

“The flying is great, but nothing can beat riding a good sharp two mile chaser that jumps well. There’s no comparison and there never will be.”