VAN Morrison famously sang about “days like this” but for a small trainer such as myself, such days are rare. So, to register a double at Navan last weekend was special, as I only have eight horses in training. It is not often that the right combination of races, horses and conditions present themselves, so when they did on Sunday last it was fantastic to be able to take full advantage.

Racing was never on my radar as a child growing up, in fact it was quite the opposite. Our family were steeped in hurling so whenever horses came on the television on a Saturday there would be a mad dash to change the channel!

I recall watching the Grand National on a couple of occasions but aside from that I had no interest. My father, three brothers, two sisters and myself all hurled with the local Kilmaley club at home. As I got older, I went on to play with school, college and county teams so hurling was all I ever really thought about in those years.

It was while studying in UCG that I was introduced to horses for the first time. A gang of us used to hang around the Ladbrokes shop in Woodquay, as a few lads had an interest in racing. Paudie Hassett was a friend of mine, so I started to follow the horses trained by his dad Donie. I went into the yard with Paudie one weekend and was immediately put up on a horse. Like many before me, I was hooked from the start and it really just went from there. I continued to ride out in Hassett’s every weekend after that, even commuting from Dublin when I later studied in UCD.

I was 25 by the time I left college and started working; spending my first pay packet on a share of a horse with Donie Hassett. The company I was employed by was eventually taken over by a US firm and my department was closed down. I viewed this as a positive; the chance to work full-time in racing. I wrote to Philip Hobbs, Alan King, Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson seeking a role as a stable lad. Whether he was just hard up for staff at the time or not, Nicky Henderson was the only one that replied so I was on my way to Lambourn!

I arrived at a time when horses of the calibre of Sprinter Sacre, Binocular, Bobs Worth and Punchestowns were all in the yard. I became great friends with Jerry McGrath, Conor Murphy, David Bass and Nico De Bonville. After two full seasons with Nicky Henderson, I went on to Charlie Mann for a season, before coming home to Ireland.

On my return, I decided to put my college education to use so took up a role with Epona Biotech in Sligo. had the best of both worlds there, as the company carried out blood tests on horses, meaning I got to spend more time in the stableyard than the laboratory! I also started riding out for Micky McElhone on the beach. If anything, that just rekindled my passion for horses, so in 2013, I came home to Clare and took out a trainer’s licence.

First winner

A few school mates got into a horse with me whom I bought as a store. That horse, subsequently named Powersbomb, gave me my first winner when winning a Sligo bumper on just his second start. The following year he went on to win at the Galway Festival, in doing so, providing me with one of my greatest days as a trainer. It was an emotional occasion as my father had passed away just a month before the win. He owned Sekinane with me, so to see that horse win at Navan in 2017 was another unforgettable experience for all of us in the family.

Heading back to Navan last Sunday I was confident that both Seskinane and Se Mo Laoch would run well. Conditions appeared ideal for both runners and I was hopeful of maybe coming away with a winner on the day – not for a moment did I imagine that I could have a double.

As it turned out, Philip Enright gave Seskinane a masterful ride and Eoin McMahon was excellent on Se Mo Laoch, never giving up and gradually wearing down Wishmoor. The latter rider is an important part of the team as he comes in and rides out every day. I was particularly thrilled that my mother was in attendance as she has been there for the bad days as well as the good. Having stood in the rain watching 100/1 shots trail home in rear at Thurles on a wet Thursday afternoon, it was nice for her to welcome back in our two winners at Navan.

I went back to work in 2017, as I found it difficult spending the long days alone in the yard. I have the perfect balance now, with the day job providing a wage and social interaction, while with eight in training I can also manage the training. It works well as it is, so I don’t see myself taking on a larger string.