MIKE Grech is the owner behind recent big-money purchases Gallyhill (£450,000) and Keskonrisk (£370,000) and he intends to have horses in training in Ireland.

A Manchester businessman, Grech first became involved in racehorse ownership in a small way through flat trainer Dandy Nicholls but, after meeting owner Stuart Parkin and trainer Nicky Henderson roughtly six years ago, he began to invest serious sums in jumping prospects.

The Grech & Parkin colours enjoyed success with Claimantakinforgan, River Wylde, Constantine Bay and Mr Whipped but they also had their fair share of bad luck and they sold their entire string at a Goffs UK dispersal sale in May of last year. One of their horses, Interconnected, was sold for £620,000.

Now Grech has been revealed as the mystery client on whose behalf Henrietta Knight was acting when she purchased winning pointer Gallyhill and bumper scorer Keskonrisk. Grech has also acquired recent Navan winner Floueur, who stays with Gordon Elliott. Joseph O’Brien is also expected to train for him.

Knight told the Daily Express she has bought five horses so far for Grech. She said: “Mike and I met some months ago with a view to me buying and then managing horses for his proposed new string. We have met a number of times since and get on well and I trust him. He always wanted to get back into racing and loves the Irish scene so will be represented there.”

Grech said: “I had a very, very good time of it with Stuart but it was time to reassess things. I have always held a strong motivation to go to Ireland with horses as I love the trainers out there and have loads of respect for what they achieve.”