A DYNASTY that was founded in 1984 comes to an end next month as the bloodstock of owner-breeder Gerry McGrath disperses at Tattersalls Ireland to pastures new. McGrath has enjoyed remarkable success at Athdara Stud, Co Meath, and the strong family he has developed and nurtured for 36 years could be viewed as a going concern in business terms.

It all started with the gift horse, La Noire, a present from his father. “Dad was more interested in racing than breeding,” McGrath says, “he wanted to get rid of her, so she was given to me.” She was a daughter of his parents’ foundation mare, Arctic Run, and became that most precious of things, the gift that keeps on giving.

La Noire ran just four times, managing fourth place on two occasions, but a swollen knee hampered her career. Coming back home to Athdara Stud, she produced for McGrath, Jered (Presenting), Miss Squiff (Saddlers’ Hall), Joe Pye (Saddlers’ Hall), Jetson (Oscar), Jenari (Milan), Jezki (Milan), Jeree (Flemensfirth), Jett (Flemensfirth) and Jelan (Milan).

Retaining her daughters Jelan, Jeree and Miss Squiff, the dynasty continued with Jedrum (Fame And Glory), Jetez (Getaway), Jetz (Flemensfirth), Jezuki (Flemensfirth), Jelara (Flemensfirth), Jelona (Flemensfirth) and Jesina (Milan).

Multipe winner Jett was sold earlier in the year to Robert Waley-Cohen for son Sam to ride in the Grand National \ Healy Racing

Hunting ground

On the racecourse, the Athdara Stud horses have excelled for both McGrath and any subsequent owners, J. P. McManus in particular finding it a happy hunting ground that has brought him much success. Jered was the first to make a winning debut and won seven races, including the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

Jetson won six races, with notable seconds to Lieutenant Colonel in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle and Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, but his most famous win was in the 2014 World Series Hurdle at Punchestown. McGrath still holds that victory in his heart as his fondest racing memory.

“Whenever Jezki ran we always knew he had a chance, but that day with Jetson was so unexpected,” McGrath recalls. “I couldn’t believe it when Ruby Walsh waited with Quevega and Davy Russell went for home on Jetson and we stole it!”

Flagbearer

Jezki was the family flagbearer, winning 16 of his 39 starts, including at the highest level the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle, Punchestown Champion Hurdle, Aintree Hurdle, World Series Hurdle, the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, the Future Champions Novice Hurdle, Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle and Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.

Jetez won two, Jelan is a winner, and of his four wins Jetz numbered the Grade 3 Flyingbolt Novice Chase. Jett is a winner of five races including the Grade 2 Devenish Chase and Grade 3 Irish Daily Star Chase, and was sold earlier in the year to Robert Waley-Cohen for son Sam to ride in the Grand National. Sadly, the pandemic intervened, but the dream remains alive for next year.

“The Grand National is such an incident-filled race, I will be so nervous watching it, but it’s exciting at the same time,” admits McGrath. “Every time my horses run my heart is in my mouth. You wish for them to come home safely and you also want them to do well, so at least you can console yourself they’re safe if they’re not in the finish.”

In the 2014 World Series Hurdle at Punchestown, Jetson (Davy Russell, left) 'stole it' from Quevega and Ruby Walsh \ Healy Racing

Townie

It has been a true passion for McGrath, who looked after the mares and their offspring, and the retired returning heroes, himself. They were, quite simply, family, but now he is looking to the future.

“I’ve not done too badly for someone not born into it!” he reflects. “I’m a townie and it’s funny, really, how my father craved space and land and chose to retire here, while I’m now choosing to retire to the city where I grew up, Mount Merrion and Blackrock.

Playing golf

“It has to come to an end at some point. My two daughters have their own businesses and aren’t interested in the horses, and I’d like to sell up now while I can still enjoy my retirement. I have a villa in Portugal beside the sea and would like to spend the winter there, playing golf, and summer in Dublin with my friends.

“I lost a few horses recently. Jetz was a real pet, he was back home from Jessica Harrington’s and out with Jetez, who had a pulled stifle. They both raced to get through a gate, Jetez got there first and Jetz ran into the post.

“He was six weeks in recuperation, but when he went back to Jessica’s they found his patella had gone. Jedrum was with Jessica and sadly broke a shoulder. Jetson died, too. Maybe somebody is trying to tell me now’s the time to retire.”

Although he is selling the stud, McGrath will still retain a small interest in racing. “I’m keeping a couple of horses with Jessica, Jesina and two-year-olds out of Jeree and Jelan, who will be broken by Ronan O’Dwyer and then go to Jessica (Harrington).

“Six horses will be going to the sales, the three mares Jeree, Jelona, by Milan out of Jeree, a winner over hurdles, and Jelan, who is a full-sister to Jezki; and a colt by Order Of St George out of Jeree and a filly by Walk In The Park out of Jelan; and Jezuki, by Flemensfirth out of Miss Squiff. I will be ticking the box to follow them and I’m looking forward to the updates and to see how they all progress.”

McGrath has nothing but fond memories and no regrets about retiring as a breeder.

“You only remember the good days and those high moments,” he says. “I still have all the memories and the photos, so I shall have to find a big, long wall somewhere to hang them all! I’ve lived the dream and had good success, it’s not been a waste of time.”

Jezki’s birth

While Jetson may provide the racecourse golden memory, it’s Jezki who rekindles the fondest memory of the private, behind-the-scenes days at Athdara.

“The mares are always sent to Joe Rogers for foaling. It was about two weeks too early for La Noire, and I was keeping an eye on her. I went out one morning and couldn’t find her.

“Then I spotted her lying down in the far corner of the field, with a little newborn foal beside her. That was Jezki. It could have all gone so horribly wrong, but thankfully everything worked out well that day.”

It seems that luck has often been on McGrath’s side and he’s only too aware of the bad days

He concludes, “It only needs one little bit of success to wipe out years of misery and disappointment.”