HAVING initially bought Posh Trish as a foal for only €1,200, I subsequently sold her for €135,000 after winning her point-to-point in Lemonfield as a four-year-old. On Tuesday, she will face the starter for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle with high prospects of becoming a Cheltenham winner. Clearly, a horse’s price tag is not always an indication of its ability.

I grew up with horses, and under the mentorship of my father, learned from an early age the importance of good conformation and clean lines.

He was very precise in that respect, having a life time of experience producing the best calibre of hunters and show yard horses. I went on to complete the Irish National Stud course and then spent four seasons at Tullamaine and Coolmore Studs.

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

Later, I established a successful business as an Interior Consultant and owner of Town and County Interiors, Fethard. Down through the years, I continued to work with horses on a private capacity.

Together with Aidan, my husband, we buy foals and yearlings and bring them along for sale as three olds.

Aidan Archdeacon successfully trained point-to-pointers and now the two of us work together pinhooking.

In 2013, I was at the Fairyhouse November Foal Sale when Posh Trish caught my eye.

I thought I was looking at a strong athletic colt and was pleasantly surprised to discover she was a filly moments later. She was just a cracking individual with fantastic presence.

Fillies were making very little at the time, with vendors struggling to reach their reserves.

She was for me and I was thrilled to acquire the daughter of Stowaway for €1,200.

There was no loading bay available that evening. I left down the ramp and she walked straight into the box with confidence. She was always very easy and forward going.

She was coupled with her companion the next day, Becks, a little fallabella. He was her faithful buddy for three years and she adored him.

Posh Trish had developed into everything I expected for Fairyhouse August 2016. She attracted plenty of interest on the day but the fact that she was a mare deterred them all.

Fortunately for me (as it later transpired), she failed to reach her reserve and I bought her back. A good friend of mine, Jim Mernagh, introduced me to Shark Hanlon at the sales, with whom I later decided to put the mare in training.

Pauric O’Connor got the job of pre-training her, he did a great job teaching her the basics.

STRONG MARE

Despite being such a big strong mare, Posh Trish was very athletic and had great use of herself. I hadn’t expected her to come to hand so soon but she proved good enough to reach the track and win races as a four-year-old early in the season.

We knew we had a good one but it was pleasing that the Shark backed up our opinion as soon as she went into training.

He had her ready for her debut run in a point-to-point at Lemonfield in March 2017, a race she won impressively.

It turned out to be a particularly strong mares’ maiden in the company of Getaway Katie Mai, Ellie Mac and Colreevy, who have also gone on to secure blacktype. Richie Harding, who rode Posh Trish to win her maiden, always held her in high regard.

We knew “Posh” would prove popular when she went to the Cheltenham Sales 10 days later. I was thrilled she ended up with Tom Malone who bought her on behalf of Paul Nicholls.

I met Fairyhouse auctioneer Todd Watt at the sales that afternoon and we shared a joke.

I thanked him for not selling Posh Trish as a three-year-old to which he replied “you are the first person to ever thank me for not selling their horse”.

Paul Nicholls gave “Posh” a well earned break, before bringing her back to win at Aintree and Cheltenham in autumn/winter of that same year.

Since then she has gone on to cement her position as a leading festival contender.

I am thrilled that she is in the hands of a great trainer and is exactly where she deserves to be in terms of ability.

It will be so exciting to watch her compete on such a big stage next week and know that we played our part in getting her to that day. It would be incredible for our small operation if she could reach the frame or come home in front.

Susan Archdeacon was in conversation with John O’Riordan