THIS afternoon, Blackrock Racing Syndicate will break new ground, in becoming the first Irish syndicate to have its colours carried by a runner in the UAE President’s Cup (UK Arabian Derby) at Doncaster.

Awtaar, a four-year-old filly we have leased from Shadwell Stud, goes there with a live chance having shown up well on her most recent start at Chepstow.

It is an exciting venture that those of us in the syndicate are very much looking forward to.

I was born and raised with my family’s home being at Eyrefield House Stud on the outskirts of the Curragh. Our family can trace our association with racing and breeding back five generations, although it probably goes back even further.

My father and grandfather owned and bred thoroughbreds, so my interest in horses stemmed from there. Flaming Rock, who went on to become a top racehorse for two years in South Africa, was bred here, as was future stallion Captain Gerrard.

Although I attended boarding school at Blackrock College, I was often taken out by my grandfather or godmother to go racing.

The big meetings at Leopardstown and the Curragh every year were occasions when the whole family would gather together, no matter where we were in the world at that time. In more recent years, with many family members based in Britain or further afield, Royal Ascot has become the annual get-together.

Seeds sown

It was at the royal meeting in 2018, that the seeds of what would later become the Blackrock Racing Syndicate were initially sown.

I had been out of school for some time by then but a chance meeting with former classmates hatched an idea.

A big group of them had paid to come over, so I thought if they were prepared to do that, maybe for an extra outlay they would also get involved in a horse of their own. Dylan O’Reilly and Dillon Coghlan, who take an active involvement in the Blackrock College past pupils union, both came on board and were instrumental in getting the syndicate off the ground.

I knew Johne Murphy from my rugby playing days and he put me in touch with Joseph O’Brien. The trainer told us he had a horse that would be perfect for our syndicate: Arthurian Fame.

At the time, I couldn’t have realised just what an impact Arthurian Fame would make on us all. Blackrock Racing Syndicate started off with 62 members.

Amazing day

On the morning of Arthurian Fame’s first run for us at Naas, we had a tour of the Curragh from Bill Farrell, then went to Harte’s in Kildare town. It had already been a very enjoyable day for all those involved but when our new horse went and won, it capped an amazing day.

The scenes in the parade ring post-race, when we carried Joseph O’Brien on our shoulders went viral – we couldn’t have imagined the attention it would attract.

Leopardstown racecourse asked us to do a promotional video when Arthurian Fame appeared in the Microsoft Cup Lady Riders race on his next start.

It couldn’t have worked out any better, as the horse followed up his Naas heroics and Hayley Turner was held aloft in the post-race celebrations. The horse later took us to Royal Ascot and won two further races over hurdles – a fairytale start for Blackrock Racing Syndicate.

Prior to the royal meeting, I was contacted by Darragh Connell, who mentioned that ex-pats such as himself who were living in the UK would love to get involved in a horse over there.

So, we got a second horse for the syndicate and put into training with James Ferguson. Some of those members will be present at Doncaster on Saturday to cheer on Awtaar, as well as a number of us travelling over from Ireland.

Arabian racing

Through my company Equine MediRecord, I work a lot with Arabian racing in the UK. James Owen, a leading trainer in that discipline, mentioned the possibility to me of leasing a horse to compete in the Derby.

Shadwell Estates are keen to grow the sport worldwide and welcomed the opportunity for us to get involved. Arabian horses take longer to mature than thoroughbreds, reaching their peak later and can be competitive until they are nine or 10.

The Derby is for horses aged four, rather than three-year-olds like we are used to with thoroughbreds.

For that very reason, we weren’t expecting much from Awtaar going to Chepstow, as she was having a Derby prep against older horses.

For her to make most of the running and just get caught by a six-year-old was a huge performance. James Owen was delighted with the run and was in no doubt afterwards that she should be aimed at the Derby.

We go there on Saturday with a real chance of being involved in the finish, something that has us all counting down the days. To be the first Irish syndicate to have a runner in the race is a source of huge pride, so to win would be beyond our wildest dreams.

Opportunities

Arabian Racing is growing globally and is a sport I would love to get more involved in, though I still have much to learn. There are many opportunities to race all over Europe, with the Qatar Arabian World Cup on the Arc card a high point, while the Obaiya Classic at the Saudi Cup is the world’s most valuable at $2 million.

I am heading to the Arqana Arabian Sale held prior to the Arc, with a view to buying a new horse to compete in Arabian races next year.

Blackrock Racing Syndicate currently has two horses in training with Joseph O’Brien and a budget to purchase a thoroughbred at the upcoming sales. We also hope to buy another horse to send to a British-based trainer, as we are conscious of our large ex-student population over there.

All in all, exciting times ahead for Blackrock Racing Syndicate; starting with Doncaster today.

Pierce Dargan was in conversation with John O’Riordan