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"All I ever wanted to do in life was be a jockey," said the 19-year-old who lives outside Athboy.
Williamson is currently juggling a degree in Agricultural Science at UCD with being a hugely successful amateur jockey but there was only ever one thing he wanted to be.
Tuesday, 18 November 2025
Josh Williamson may be the teenage son of the legendary Norman, who won the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup at the same Cheltenham Festival in 1995, but he is quickly making his own name for himself with 29 winners already on the board.
Fresh from steering Pied Piper to fifth place in the Bar One Racing Troytown Chase at Navan on Sunday, Williamson is licking his lips in anticipation of the winter ahead as he continues his fine association with Gordon Elliott.
Williamson is currently juggling a degree in Agricultural Science at UCD with being a hugely successful amateur jockey but there was only ever one thing he wanted to be.
"All I ever wanted to do in life was be a jockey," said the 19-year-old who lives outside Athboy. "I started off with show ponies and then onto eventing, but I was always mad to be a jockey.
"My Dad retired before I was born, but it's amazing to hear people talk about him and how good he was. I've seen plenty of the old videos and, in fairness, he's been a massive help to me all along."
Elaborating on that help, he added: "I ring him before and after every single ride for advice. He's been brilliant for teaching me the tricks of the trade and the little things that help at all the different tracks. Like I rode at Cheltenham a few weeks ago and he was able to tell me what I should and shouldn't do. Around a place like that it's a huge help. I'd be lost without him."
It was in October of 2023 when Williamson made the breakthrough and how fitting that his first winner was for Edward O'Grady, the late trainer whom his father shared so many big-race victories with.
That success arrived on 15-2 shot Housemartin in a qualified riders' handicap hurdle at Clonmel, the same track where Norman rode the first of his 1,268 career winners.
"It was the best feeling in the world," Josh said about that success. "I had my first ride on St Stephen's Day in 2022 and I was bitten by the bug."
Three of Williamson's 29 winners have arrived at Fairyhouse which he calls "one of the best tracks in the country". When asked to reveal his racing dream, Williamson replied: "I'd love to be champion jockey some day. My Dad actually never managed it, he was second to AP McCoy, and that would be the dream.
"I'm in Gordon's three or four days a week and up in college in UCD for the rest."
There was little hesitation from Williamson when a horse to follow for the season was requested. "Barbizon," he said instantly. "I rode him a few times in Gordon's and he has always given me a lovely feel. He was the opener at Navan on Sunday and I'd say he's a very nice horse."
Fresh from steering Pied Piper to fifth place in the Bar One Racing Troytown Chase at Navan on Sunday, Williamson is licking his lips in anticipation of the winter ahead as he continues his fine association with Gordon Elliott.
Williamson is currently juggling a degree in Agricultural Science at UCD with being a hugely successful amateur jockey but there was only ever one thing he wanted to be.
"All I ever wanted to do in life was be a jockey," said the 19-year-old who lives outside Athboy. "I started off with show ponies and then onto eventing, but I was always mad to be a jockey.
"My Dad retired before I was born, but it's amazing to hear people talk about him and how good he was. I've seen plenty of the old videos and, in fairness, he's been a massive help to me all along."
Elaborating on that help, he added: "I ring him before and after every single ride for advice. He's been brilliant for teaching me the tricks of the trade and the little things that help at all the different tracks. Like I rode at Cheltenham a few weeks ago and he was able to tell me what I should and shouldn't do. Around a place like that it's a huge help. I'd be lost without him."
It was in October of 2023 when Williamson made the breakthrough and how fitting that his first winner was for Edward O'Grady, the late trainer whom his father shared so many big-race victories with.
That success arrived on 15-2 shot Housemartin in a qualified riders' handicap hurdle at Clonmel, the same track where Norman rode the first of his 1,268 career winners.
"It was the best feeling in the world," Josh said about that success. "I had my first ride on St Stephen's Day in 2022 and I was bitten by the bug."
Three of Williamson's 29 winners have arrived at Fairyhouse which he calls "one of the best tracks in the country". When asked to reveal his racing dream, Williamson replied: "I'd love to be champion jockey some day. My Dad actually never managed it, he was second to AP McCoy, and that would be the dream.
"I'm in Gordon's three or four days a week and up in college in UCD for the rest."
There was little hesitation from Williamson when a horse to follow for the season was requested. "Barbizon," he said instantly. "I rode him a few times in Gordon's and he has always given me a lovely feel. He was the opener at Navan on Sunday and I'd say he's a very nice horse."