AFTER 80 great years in the racing game, I’m a very lucky man and in these unusual times we live in, it makes me think back to old times and all the success and fun we had.

My own dad, Matthew, was a quiet man while mammy was the tough one. Dad worked for Hubert Hartigan and he’d take me out to the yard on the crossbar and teach me to ride on Molly, a pony I inherited off Jack Lenihan. I remember as a kid being thrown up on a horse called Tale Of Two Cities around the parade ring on Irish Derby day at the Curragh. The idea was to keep the horse quiet until the jockey mounted as he was big colt full of energy - it didn’t work as he finished third that year!

In my teens, I’d ride out five or six lots then go with Mr Hartigan to races to help saddle runners. Sadly, Mr Hartigan passed on all too soon and Jimmy Lenihan took over the yard. He was a gent and it was a great place to work. Buster Parnell won on Hannah Darling, Lester (Piggott) won the Leger on Dan Kano - great times, great owners and memories you could talk about for hours. It was also around that time I got a few spins in bumpers and over jumps, riding a few winners.

Professional football

Aside from racing, I was into almost every sport, playing football and hurling as well as a “foreign” game called soccer. Although I got a good bit of stick over it at home, I played as a goalkeeper for Tullamore FC who were in the top league back then. My poor dad used to be shocked, “he’s getting paid to kick ball” he’d say.

Then I was asked to play with League of Ireland side Drumcondra (Eoin Hand was centre half in front me) before later signing for Bohemians. Mick Kerin and Turlough O’Connor (two internationals) were my best pals in those years. It wasn’t unusual to have crowds of 78,000 in Dalymount Park to watch us play. I vividly recall a European Cup match against Prague who had World Cup players in their team. All the time, I still rode out and continued to go racing.

Raising a family

Football finished up then, as I got married and raised a family. I took a job as assistant with P.J. Prendergast. What followed were easily the most enjoyable times in my life - great guys in the yard: John Queally, Noelie O’Toole, George McGrath and Christy Roche. We had some fantastic horses: Blue Wind as a two-year-old, Artic Melody won a Musidora, Tie Anchor, Corrib Chieftain.

In 1980, Darkie (Prendergast) fell ill and I went to Royal Ascot with a two-year-old called Cooliney Prince. I made a phone call home to ask the boss could I put blinkers on the horse in the Windsor Castle Stakes. I think he nearly fainted at the thought of what I was asking but he allowed me - the horse won by six lengths on the same day Darkie passed away. I don’t think Georgie McGrath on his back even moved a muscle.

Browne’s yard

I then had a very enjoyable few years as assistant trainer to Liam Browne at a time that kids like Tommy Carmody, Mick Kinane, Pat Gilson, Steven McCormack, Steven Craine and Liam’s own two lads were learning their trade. Liam was a real good trainer who had a great reputation for producing riding talent.

Life moved on and time just flew, I don’t know where the years have gone.

The kids, Margie, David, Shane and Niall all grew up into great people, kind, passionate and successful. Shane reminds me of my dad, quiet and a good horseman. He followed me into riding horses and rode winners in point-to-points and on the track for Christy Roche.

In later years, I joined Mick Halford and did all his travelling. It was a job I enjoyed and loved and I was lucky as he was another good boss. We had some great success over the years, with Golden Cross holding particularly fond memories. We were very unlucky not to have a Cheltenham winner which would have been great for Mick.

My son Shane (Duffy) bought a small farm and built a nice yard with a three-furlong gallop and schooling strip. I “retired” to go as assistant trainer to him.

We only have six or seven horses a year but we love what we do and my eldest son David helps us now racing and weekends.

I enjoy going racing and having bit of fun with the lads and we train a few winners.

Workaholic

Shane has a great way to him, very natural with a horse and he’s a workaholic - I don’t think he sleeps at all. He’s bought a few nice cheap horses who did very well. War Room won eight, Farranadonney won two and Lady Lyrath and Helloman won at the Listowel Festival.

We both still ride out with the young lads Tom Brett, Frank Hayes and Dave Hickey. Shane does his best to get them going and they all get share rides.

Riding out keeps me fresh and the funny thing is, I started off on a pony called Molly and now in my later years, I ride Molly Kaye out daily.

Shane has me on a few bits of work here and there; I get a great kick out of that and being a big part of the yard is fantastic. I jump out of bed in the mornings looking forward to the horses.

It’s very tough nowadays as you have the very big yards now and things are moving on so fast; the old ways might be dying out a little. Owners want big yards which you can understand but it’s the small yards I feel still hold the key to our great game.

Paddy Duffy was in conversation with John O’Riordan