TRAINING Strictly Business to win the Group 1 Crown Oaks at Flemington last week was really special. Coming from a family steeped in racing, you are always trying to make your own mark and set the bar that bit higher. Although I never managed to achieve as much as my siblings in the saddle, sending out a classic winner has certainly helped me create my own piece of racing history.

As the eldest in the family, I grew up around horses. My father Tommy was in the latter stages of a hugely successful riding career by the time I came along. He had been champion jockey in Ireland four times, as well as winning three Cheltenham Gold Cups and an Aintree Grand National. He would later also train a National winner which was ridden by my brother, Paul.

My mother Pamela is a daughter of the legendary Dan Moore and a sister of trainer Arthur. One of my earliest memories in racing is of watching my father win the 1982 Arkle Chase at Cheltenham on The Brockshee, who was trained by my uncle.

There is only a year between Paul and myself, and Mark is a year younger again. The three of us learned how to ride at Pam Gillespie’s equestrian centre near Kilbride and went on to pony club and hunt with the Ward Union.

Work experience

I went to boarding school in Gormanston College. At the weekends I rode out at home for my father. During school holidays, I also gained work experience as a track rider with Kevin Prendergast, John Hammond and Criquette Head. I was also a stud hand at Woodpark Stud in Dunboyne.

After my Leaving Certificate, I spent two years at West Oxfordshire College in Witney, and I graduated with a Higher National Diploma in Stud and Stable Administration.

During my placements I spent time at both Darley Stud in Newmarket and Taylor Made Farm in Lexington, When I finished college, I worked for trainer Bruno Schultz in Cologne. During the two years I was there, the yard enjoyed tremendous success with wins in the Guineas, Oaks and St Leger.

I returned to the UK and was working assistant to Martin Pipe CBE for a couple of years. After that I spent seven years in an administration role with Eddie Brennan Limited which shipped horses all over the world.

Towards the end of my time there, I obtained my qualified riders licence and rode in bumpers and point-to-points. My very first ride in a point-to-point was a winner. I rode Me Tows to win at Maralin for my father. I only rode as an amateur for a few years. While I was working for trainer Robbie Osborne, I rode North Shore to win at the Galway Festival. Bloodstock agents Peter and Ross Doyle owned that horse.

By 2012 I had made my way to Australia. Robbie was winding down his training business and an opportunity arose for me to break and pre-train horses at Eliza Park in Victoria. I was employed in that role until 2015, when I moved on to work as a track rider for trainer Darren Weir. I had known Johnny Allen from back home and our paths had crossed a few times at the races over here. However, it was while both working for Darren that we became good friends. Around this time, I also met my wife, Monique.

Set up training

Then in 2017, we decided to set up training in our own right. We are based close to Ballarat Racecourse and exercise all our horses on that track. It is the largest training centre in the area and there can be upwards of 500 horses there on a work morning.

There is certainly nothing easy about this career. You aren’t only taking on the big trainers in the major races; you are up against them every day of the week. Racing is very competitive over here and, as a trainer, you have to enjoy it and be driven. The lads that really push hard get lucky sometimes.

Strictly Business was bred by one of her owners, Valentia Island man Martin Falvey. She is the second foal out of the mare. The first, Kicking King, was second in the Tasmanian Derby and third in the Leger for us.

She had only won her maiden two weeks before the Oaks. However, having gone on to finish second in the Oaks Trial after, she had been amongst the leading fancies for the race itself. But then, after getting a wide draw, she drifted right out in price, but we had planned to slot in anyway and take a lead.

Right man

Having Johnny in the saddle was a huge advantage. He is such an experienced rider and we knew he was the right man to get us a result. The fact that we are also neighbours, living just two doors from each other, made it extra special. While Strictly Business was owned, trained and ridden by Irishmen, the association doesn’t end there. Our vet, Tom Dolan, is from Kildare and our farrier Shane Nixon is a Cavan man!

My wife Monique is an integral part of the training operation. She is very good with the horses and with the owners. We have 10 in training at any one time, although there are always others going out, or coming back in.

We are keen to develop the business and hopefully capitalise on this success. It would be wonderful to be part of the big days more regularly and go there with live chances. My son Thomas Paul Smith Carberry (named after his grandfathers), who lives in Ireland with his mother, comes out here whenever time allows. He is still in school but has had a few rides on the track back home. He is a great help to us in terms of riding work when he is over.

My mother Pamela is doing well and was very proud of our achievement. She didn’t get to watch the race live but watched a recording at Paul’s house and is chuffed to bits.

• Thomas was in conversation with John O’Riordan