LATER this month, I begin an exciting new phase of my life, when sending out my first runners as a licenced trainer. Circumstances and opportunity dictated that I base myself at Chantilly in France, rather than at home in Ireland or in Britain. Having wanted to train racehorses from as long as I can remember, it is satisfying to finally see those dreams come to fruition.

My parents own Roundhill Stud, in Limerick, so I suppose you could say I was born into the industry. From an early age, I rode ponies and competed in show jumping competitions.

Both parents, particularly my mother, were very good to me in those years, driving me all over the country to compete at different events.

Without their unwavering support, I wouldn’t have gone on to reach the point I find myself at right now, so I have much to be thankful for.

Riding out

In my early teens, I got into racehorses, riding out for Gerry O’Leary in Kanturk. From there, I moved on to Enda Bolger, for whom I rode out for a few years while still in school. I started off in point-to-points but actually rode my very first winner on the racecourse – Zest For Life, in the Ladies Perpetual Cup at Punchestown.

In 2014/15, I was fortunate enough to come upon Oscar Barton, a horse that really got me going as a jockey. In all, I won five races on that horse, who was trained by Gordon Elliott.

After beating On The Fringe at Down Royal on St Stephen’s Day, we held genuine hopes of winning the Foxhunter at Cheltenham but unfortunately the horse got a tendon on his next start.

At the time, I was in college at Maynooth, so rode out for Gordon (Elliott) every morning before lectures. With the strong support of that stable and that of Peter Maher and Micky Cleary, I ended up being champion novice rider that season (2015). It was a great time to be involved in the sport and I had a real battle for the title with my close friend and college mate Eoin O’Sullivan.

Trainers

Every summer I went away for work experience, as I had long held ambitions to become a trainer. I worked for Jim Bolger, John Ferguson, Philip Hobbs and William Haggas. After graduating from Maynooth, I saw that Mr Haggas was advertising for a pupil assistant, so I applied for the position.

It was a great experience working with some high-class horses, one that prepared me for a future career. I stayed in the job for just over a year and would have remained on but I was selected for the Flying Start course.

That latter programme afforded me further opportunities to learn from some of the best trainers in the sport, men such as Peter Snowden (Australia), John Hyde (Dubai), Clive Cox (Britain) and Tom Morley (USA).

I particularly enjoyed my time in America and wanted to return there after I completed my studies. Christophe Clement had offered me a job running one of his barns but didn’t need me for a few months. It was also quite difficult to get a visa for the US at the time, so that added to the delay.

France

Never being one to just sit around, I informed Christophe (Clement) of my concerns and he advised me to go over to France to work for his brother, Nicolas, until the paperwork came through. After just a short time in France, I knew that it was where I wanted to remain to start my training career.

Nicolas Clement was very good to me from the outset, introducing me to the country and its ways of life. I found that Chantilly was an incredible place to train racehorses, with some of the best facilities in the world. Nicolas had some fantastic horses and we won a Group 1 together that first year I was there.

We really gelled and got on very well, so that made our working relationship so much stronger.

I stayed with Nicolas for a further year, before moving to Jean-Claude Rouget, to gain that final experience before starting out in my own right. The latter, who was also very good to me, has a huge reputation for producing young trainers of the future.

He has over 200 horses, split between two yards, in Pau and Deauville. I spent the first part of my year in Pau, moved on to Cagnes-Sur-Mer for the winter, then finished up in Deauville. I only left Mr Rouget last month, so have spent the last couple of weeks preparing for the arrival of my own string of horses.

Practice run

Initially, when I did the trainers’ course 18 months ago it was more as a practice run. Aside from showing your proficiency with horses, you also need to be a fluent French speaker so I expected to need the experience. However, I was successful at the first attempt, so had the licence in my back pocket, if and when I needed it.

Nicolas Clement approached me a while back about the possibility of renting some stables in his yard. He was reducing his string from 75 down to 50, as he wanted to concentrate on quality over quantity.

As we had always had a strong working relationship, he felt that me coming in as a trainer in my own right was something that would benefit us both.

I didn’t need much convincing to be honest, as I knew the yard and its history very well. Almost every domestic Group 1 winner has been trained out of that yard at one time or another, be it Arc, Derby or French Guineas. I am starting off with 10 horses, which will arrive later this week.

Premiums

With a further five due to come in later and orders at the upcoming sales, I’d hope to have 20-25 by the end of the year. French premiums are a tremendous incentive for prospective owners, as with the increased prize money it actually makes sense to have a horse in training. Even if you don’t end up with a blacktype performer, you can still make it pay with a low-grade handicapper.

Roundhill Stud has always been a source of great pride to me – what my parents have achieved as breeders has been nothing short of amazing. Throughout my life they are always been encouraging and supportive; always on hand to offer help or advice.

My one wish as I start out on this exciting new journey is that one day, I can make them proud of my achievements as a trainer.

Tim Donworth was in conversation with John O’Riordan