OUR small up and coming flat yard has enjoyed a great start to the new turf campaign, with Tribal Path and Bluesbreaker both victorious at Cork over the Easter weekend. As a young trainer who has only held a licence since 2011, it’s important to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way and fortunately the horses are in good form and we have much to look forward to over the coming months.

I was born into a racing family; my uncle Jimmy rode as a National Hunt jockey for Jim Dreaper and my father Joseph worked in the industry before going to college and building up a successful business. Dad brought me to pony club at the age of five, where both of us took lessons together. I loved it from day one and soon graduated to working with local trainer, Peter Casey.

From the age of 12 to 15, I mucked out, rode work and learned a great deal from the Meath-based handler, until I left school and went to RACE at 16. Having spent some time with Michael Grassick while in Kildare, I later returned home and rode for Peter (Casey) as an amateur. Although I didn’t ride a winner, I was placed a couple of times and enjoyed my stay in the yard.

At the same time I started to train a few point to pointers at home, with a view to one day taking out a licence. The latter prospect presented itself sooner than anticipated when a bad fall at 23 meant I was out of action for over 12 months. I found that I really enjoyed being on the ground overseeing the training of my own point-to-pointers, so much so, that I decided to retire from race riding and apply for a Restricted Trainers Licence.

I had worked for James McAuley during my time as a jockey and broke Cash Or Casualty, as well as work riding on him as a two-year-old. He was a horse I always loved and when he came up for sale I jumped at the chance. Soon after getting my licence I sold off the point-to-pointers and bought two yearlings for a €1,000 each. We sold one for €7,000 and raced the second one, named All Ablaze. Cash Or Casualty won at Galway in 2011, my first season as a licensed trainer and it all just spiralled from there.

The following season, All Ablaze won twice for us, while Cash Or Casualty added to his win from the previous year. The latter horse was instrumental in my success as a trainer, not just in being my first winner but also teaching me so much about the profession. Up to that point it had been all slow, steady work with National Hunt horses but I discovered flat horses needed to be minded and given short, sharp pieces of work. The nearby beach at Mornington has played a huge part in my training operation. I find it’s great for horses minds - they enjoy the experience and view it as fun rather than work.

FAMILY PARTNERSHIP

Enigma Code and Time Travel came on the market in 2013 and I bought both those horses. While both went on to win races for us, it was old favourite Cash Or Casualty who really hit the heights that season, winning five races in all. Dad has been very loyal to me since I started training and I couldn’t wish for a more supportive, patient owner. While he has been involved in racing for many years, both as a sole owner and in syndicates, he only ever had one winner during all that time - we have had over 20 together since he invested in my operation. I am both relieved and proud to have been able to repay his faith in me, a young man starting out in life.

Having made a great start in our first three seasons, 2014 was a real tough campaign as a virus in the yard left us scratching our heads as to why the tried and trusted was no longer working. It was not until the backend, when the source of our problems was finally identified, that we got Ask Dad to win at Dundalk and maintain the record of at least one winner every season.

Tribal Path was affected more than most by the virus and is only now showing his true abilities. He has won three times since November, all under young apprentice Donagh O’Connor. He is a very talented rider, incredible value for his 7Ib claim - his feedback after races and work is second to none, he has a real old head on young shoulders. Both Donagh and Rory Cleary are always available to ride work and I am very grateful to both for the part they play in our success. My brother Craig and long-time friend Ger Duff work in the yard and deserve special mention for their hard work behind the scenes.

Damian English was in conversation with John O’Riordan