Declan O’Farrell and his wife Elaine own Race Displays, a large format printing company, who print outdoor advertising displays as well as providing the number cloths and saddle cloths at many race meetings throughout Ireland. They’re the proud owners of Lord Fingal, trained by Jim Dreaper, who’s won his last four races. Lord Fingal was due to run in a hunters’ chase at Stratford last night.

How did you come to own your first horse?

As a child, Raymond Keogh gave us ponies for sport. When the ponies grew up we had racehorses.

What was your best day at the races and why?

Thankfully there have been so many great days at the races. Obviously, your first winner is special, but every winner is special for a number of different reasons. Lord Fingal winning his maiden point-to-point at our local William Duffy’s land at “The Folly” was a great day. Sometimes not having a winner but getting a horse to perform to his best is also very satisfying. We had a point-to-pointer called The Good Sign some years ago and he finally got around and finished second and that was brilliant for all of us who had persevered with him and especially his groom Paula Keene and jockey Jamie Flynn.

At the moment, Lord Fingal is flying the flag very high for us and all his wins have been magic.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Only having one horse in training when we would love to have 20 plus.

In your experience, which racecourses treat owners best and why?

I think all racecourses have made a conscious effort in recent times to look after owners. It’s very much appreciated as a winning owner to have an area designated for you after winning to enjoy some champagne and look at a re-run of the race with your family and friends. While a complimentary meal is a great addition, I can understand that it is difficult for some of the smaller tracks to match this and maybe some light refreshments and a friendly face goes a lot further. I would encourage racecourses to improve the canteen facilities for our grooms more so.

Flat or jump racing, which do you prefer and why?

Growing up near Fairyhouse racecourse, jump racing would always be my first love, but I do enjoy good quality flat racing (especially if there is a sponsor).

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

I think apart from having experience and honesty, someone who you can have a conversation with and like a lot. After all, you will share the best of times and the worst of times having a horse in training with them. They become a big part of your life.

What improvements could be made to racing in Ireland?

While it’s always important to applaud the leading owner at the end of the season, I think there could be an award for owners with between five and 10 horses-in-training, or less than five. Some novelty awards outside of the usual top awards (such as horse to win the most times in a season), as an obvious example.

What improvements would you like to see racecourses in Ireland do for owners?

While most owners know their way around racecourses, maybe a designated person at the turnstiles could meet and greet owners, show them the facilities if needed. This role could be further enhanced by contacting the owners at entry and declaration stage to see if they needed any additional dining requirements or maybe share a box with other owners. Car passes and tickets in the post all add to the build-up to raceday. There is a huge database of owners that could be tapped into to make additional revenue for racecourses while at the same time appreciating the owner. Maybe a contact person could work a few racecourses and so share the expenses.

How do you feel owners are treated at the races when not having a winner?

I do think that when an unfortunate incident arises when a horse is injured or fatally injured that maybe the media could wait until the owner has been informed before the information is made public. It’s a difficult time for owners, trainers, grooms etc. and they should be protected from having to deal with the media. While it is the media’s job to report these things, maybe a system could be put in place to deal in an appropriate time frame with this type of situation. The clerks of the courses and Blue Cross staff usually handle these situations very well.

What significance do your colours hold?

They were borrowed initially for pony races we used to hold ourselves as children, from a neighbour and friend Cyril Brennan, who lived near Fairyhouse racecourse and Greenogue (Jim Dreaper’s base). They were influenced by the Duchess of Westminster’s Arkle colours, they have a brown band instead of black. We all wanted to own Arkle, and even after growing up we still do. Our track colours have a yellow and brown check cap and on the point-to-points they are under Elaine’s colours with a plain yellow cap. Cyril was a great supporter of Tramore racecourse so it was lovely that `his’ colours were carried to victory there recently.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

I usually leave that to Jim - he has a knack of picking out a `Dreaper horse’.

What horses do you currently have in training?

We have Lord Fingal at the moment, but have his three-year-old half-brother that is being broken, so lots to look forward to, we hope.

What’s next on the agenda for Lord Fingal?

He will go handicap chasing, hopefully he will stay fit and sound and can compete in those nice big handicap chases.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a racehorse owner?

Enjoy it all, don’t take it too seriously, and as a very good friend and trainer told me: “There are more Good Fridays than Easter Sundays in racing.”

AIRO secured free admission on over 90 racedays in 2015 for registered owners with a horse in training.

Tramore TODAY

Limerick Saturday, June 6th

Wexford Wednesday, June 17th

Down Royal Friday, June 19th

Down Royal Saturday, June 20th

Gowran Park Sunday, June 21st

Ballinrobe Tuesday, June 23rd

Curragh Sunday, June 28th

Declan O’Farrell was in conversation with Joe Finegan