There weren’t many winners over Christmas that returned to celebrations like we saw after Ag Obair Go Crua’s win at Tramore on New Year’s Day. Talk to us about what made that success so special.

Two people in the syndicate are from Navan but the rest of us are all Waterford so coming locally to Tramore, on New Year’s Day, in the last race on the card… Everyone got a massive kick out of it. For the horse’s other win at Gowran in October, there were only two or three of us there but all the lads were there this time, which was fantastic.

A few others joined in the celebrations too. To be honest, I didn’t know half of them who turned up in the parade ring for a finish - it was great craic! We went there half fancying him on the day, even if we knew Duffys Hodey [runner-up] would be hard to beat, so it’s a thrill for everyone when it all comes together.

Tramore had a big turnout for their marquee winter fixture. What was your racegoing experience like on the day?

There was some crowd and the experience was brilliant. We were well looked after by the track. The food was good, there was a nice atmosphere in the owners’ and trainers’ bar and even after the race we got a few drink vouchers and whatnot. To be fair to Tramore, the course is always very good.

My daughter absolutely loves the horse; she’s mad to give him carrots.

Tell us about how the Tus Maith Syndicate originally came together. I hear a little Revolut savings account had a part to play in the story.

It must be three or four years ago that I went to 10 lads and asked if they’d have an interest in getting a horse together. Look, we’re all kind of working lads who haven’t come from horse backgrounds. We’ve been following the racing - some of us met at the Dublin Racing Festival before - and we made a bit of a plan. We said we’d throw €10 a week into a Revolut savings vault for two years or thereabouts, and then we’d look into buying a horse. When the time came that we wanted to make a purchase, we’d lost two or three from the group but two or three more came in. We’d been weighing up horse-in-training sales but one of the lads had involvement with John [Flavin, trainer] in a syndicate and recommended coming out to his yard to see some horses who were ready to run. We decided to go with Ag Obair Go Crua. After the horse ran during the summer at Tramore [finishing sixth of 15], we lost four from the syndicate, but a few more came in. The people who joined in June are happy out now, to say the least. He’s run three times since and won twice.

Ag Obair Go Crua was the final leg of a Darragh O'Keeffe treble when winning at Tramore \ Healy Racing

There’s obviously a bit of Irish in the name of both your horse and your syndicate. Are you a syndicate of Gaeilgeoirí?

Not particularly, although a good few of the lads come from teaching backgrounds. When we were deciding on names, everyone had three names to throw into the mix and we allotted points to the ones we liked. Whichever name came out on top with the most points was the choice, so we landed on those.

John Flavin is a local trainer to you in Co Waterford who is making strides. How would you sum up the ownership experience of being involved with his yard?

John has made this whole thing what it is, and I really mean that. I’ve been involved with horses elsewhere before and I couldn’t say a bad word about the experience previously, but John is second to none in terms of enjoying being an owner. You can call him, drop him a text with anything - he’s extremely straightforward and upfront. When the horse had an issue, he laid everything out on the table and never doubted that the horse had the ability to win races. Even back at the very start of the syndicate, John brought fellas out to the gallops who would have no big understanding of how training works. He gave them the time and that was very enjoyable for them.

I’ve got two young children of my own, a two-year-old daughter and a four-month-old son, and we nearly go out to the yard once a week. My daughter absolutely loves the horse; she’s mad to give him carrots. John puts her up on the horse’s back and she’s got a lovely experience from sitting up on him. That type of personal touch, being able to have that accessibility with the yard, makes the whole thing work. It’s never a case of just being told that the horse is running here or there. John does a great job.

Ag Obair Go Crua has now won two of his last three starts and looks to be very much on the improve. What’s next for him?

We don’t have an exact plan but we have options with him. He’s still probably got a race in him over hurdles but I’d imagine he’ll stick to fences for the moment, having won a chase the other day. He’s a lazy sort who only does what he has to; he needs an aggressive ride and Darragh [O’Keeffe] was excellent on him. I think there’s still a bit to come from him. Who knows where he might end up?

After going through a bit of a rough part with lads doubting the horse and doubting yourself, that’s what makes days like we had at Gowran and Tramore all the more special. You have to be patient in this game. Unfortunately nowadays, in general, there’s a lot of pressure to get wins early, preparing four-year-olds for point-to-points, but you can’t buy time. Now, I know it’s not easy to always give horses time with costs and so on, but it’s paying off with this horse now. Once he stays sound, hopefully we’re just getting started.

Owners’ insurance and other benefits are included in AIRO membership. If you’re a racehorse owner and not a member, please call Regina Byrne on 045 878173 for more information.