How did you get involved in the racing industry?

I’m originally from Kildare, but I’ve lived in Kent for the last 40 years. I got involved with horses through Robert Tyner (trainer). There was a group of us looking to buy a horse, and we bought a horse called Pulled Mussel and sent it to Robert. He won his first two starts under rules. I’ve had a few nice horses with Robert like Blast Of Koeman and Queen Jesse Jay who I have at home now for breeding.

Do you find it difficult being so far from your horses?

The trainers in Ireland keep me up to date. I have horses with Gavin Cromwell as well and he keeps me well informed. I try and get over when they’re running but it’s not always possible. Coming over for Fairyhouse was a bit touch and go, because we didn’t know whether it was going to go ahead or not. The last thing I wanted to do was land in Dublin and walk around there all day.

Were you confident going into the race at Fairyhouse?

Robert was very confident. He’s been confident since Christmas that he had a very nice horse. He said that the horse has never done anything wrong from the day he started with him, and he was waiting for him to do something wrong. He was adamant he was a proper horse, the best he’s ever had.

What’s the plan going forward with I’m Slippy?

I haven’t made my mind up on whether to sell him or keep him. I think the right thing for me to do is sell but I haven’t confirmed it yet. He’s a valuable horse and for the likes of me to be in the game, realistically I have to sell. It’s not a cheap operation and you’ve got to turn them over. You can’t keep them all. It keeps me in the game if I sell him, and I want to be in the game. I know that Robert would love to keep him, so it’s a conversation that we need to have.

Is there a story behind I’m Slippy’s name?

Some very good family friends won the 1983 English Greyhound Derby with a dog called I’m Slippy. I bought the property that I live in from them and we’ve been friends for years. One of them, Billy (Quinn), was there last Sunday and we go to the Newmarket Festival for a day’s racing every year so I always wanted to name a good horse I’m Slippy. I had the favourite for last year’s English Derby final as well and breed my own.

What do you make of the greyhound racing ban in Wales? Do you think it will affect the horse racing industry in time?

I think that they’ll leave nothing alone. Eventually they’ll go after horse racing as well. It’s going to be a difficult thing to defend in years to come because animals do get injured unfortunately, but people get injured playing sports all of the time. I don’t think any of it could be banned in Ireland though, as there’s more of a passion for it.

Do you run horses in England often?

Midnight It Is was third in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham this year, but that was Gavin’s idea to bring him over. I leave it to the trainer because I’m paying them to do a job. They know if the horse is good enough and it’s as simple as that.

What’s been a highlight for you?

Winning the Goffs Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown with Coeur De Lion was good, but there’s no doubt that Sunday was my highlight. The Fairyhouse Easter Festival is a big meeting. I do love Punchestown but it was great to see the confidence that Robert had in I’m Slippy paying off. Being with friends that the horse was named for was special as well. It was a right buzz, the whole day was brilliant.

Have you got any young horses getting ready for a run?

I’ve got three two-year-olds with Ian McCarthy at the moment in pre-training. He’s a very good operator, tells you exactly how it is. I’ve been involved with him nearly since he started his business. I was lucky to get my horses in there, I’m sure there are plenty of people that are looking to take my position once my horses are finished with him. They’re always ready to go when they leave his yard. I have made no decision where they’ll go into training yet.

What’s the main challenge you’ve faced in racing?

I think the main thing with someone on my level, as I breed three or four every year as well, is making sure you don’t have too many! I’m lucky to have some decent mares, both flat and National Hunt. I mainly keep them to run, but I do sell them sometimes. The last horse that I sold was out of a mare called Blue Betty, and it went on to win a bumper first time out which was great for the mare.

Have you got any foals on the ground this year?

I gave the mares a break last year, but I have a few yearlings. I’ve got a three-parts brother to Gentlemansgame out of Skate On, and a Santiago yearling out of Queen Jesse Jay, which was her first foal.

On the flat, I have a Dandy Man out of Gisselles Thunder. David Futter of Yorton Stud is very good for advice on choosing stallions, as is Liam Donovan. They’re on the ground more than I am so it’s great to have their help.