Our series on racehorse owners continues with Barry Doyle

Originally from Kilkenny, now living just outside Mitchelstown, Co Cork, Barry Doyle has been an owner with Tom McCourt for over 10 years. Working as Spar’s regional manager for Munster, Barry has been in the winner’s enclosure some 19 times since 2006 with the likes of Zhukhov, Copper Dock, Bangalore Diamond and Nedera.

What was your best day at the races and why?

It was my first winner at my local track Mallow. It was in 2006 with Zhukhov, ridden by Amy Kathleen Parsons. We were only hoping for the best. I’d had a few horses before but we were having awful luck. We’d even brought one back from the sales who broke her neck in the paddock the next day. You can understand when Zhukhov crossed the line, I sprinted from the stands with my wife Catherine straight around to the winner’s enclosure. He went on to win a premier handicap at the Curragh.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

It’s a costly business when the horses don’t win. The difference in prize money between first and second is huge. Owning racehorses is a business accessible to everyone, it’s not elitist at all. Entry levels can be very low - you don’t have to spend huge amounts of money.

In your experience, which racecourse treats owners the best and why?

Dundalk present a winner’s prize for every race, facilities are excellent, there is complimentary champagne for winning connections, course management are very nice people, and they always congratulate winners on social media. I think I’ve had 12 winners at Dundalk.

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

There are more opportunities for flat horses despite our love of National Hunt. Also, flat horses can run more often and are less injury prone.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Tom McCourt has trained every horse I’ve ever been involved with. He’s everything you’d want in a trainer. He lets you feel very involved without letting you do anything stupid. He was born into the game and I couldn’t recommend him highly enough. I went to his yard in Stamullen a few years back and bought a young bumper horse. I handed him the cheque two weeks later but after that the horse died after an accident. Tom sent me back the cheque. A deed like that means he is in it for the long haul not a quick buck.

What improvements could be made to Irish racing?

I see the racing product we have in Ireland as being second to none, and we should be proud. Both HRI and ITM do great job. My pet hate is the difference in ground descriptions from entry stage to the day of the race. There is no bigger waste of owners’ money than declaring and then having to withdraw due to the ground. It is expensive, but it’s also the disappointment of getting ready for the race only for the horse to be a non-runner. I realise it’s all part of the game, but for new owners especially, it can be very disappointing.

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

The recent AIRO forums were very well received and it’s very encouraging to have someone of the calibre of Aidan McGarry (ITM) working for us. In general, I feel owners are treated quite well. Some courses do offer free tea/coffee. I know it’s a business for racecourses, and punters paying in the gate are important too. Owners are there to enjoy ourselves but we’re not there under sufferance. The Curragh send out passes and car parking, and when you receive them it adds to the anticipation of the race and fuels the excitement. Small touches go a long way.

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

Most courses give a drink to the winner, but I’d like to see it extended to connections of the placed horses too.

What significance do your colours hold?

I changed my colour pattern when I was stuck on 13 winners. I’d always admired the Niarchos family colours and HRI agreed to a variation of those colours. Unfortunately, that’s where any similarity ends! But it worked because a couple of months later, I was celebrating my next winner.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

Tom does all the buying for me on a very limited budget. And this year we’ve also leased a filly for the first time, which I think is a great idea. Tom placed an advertisement in The Irish Field looking for horses to lease to freshen up his yard, and he got some great horses sent to him.

What horses do you currently have in training?

I’ve a half-share in Nedera, a third of Kiss The Stars, a half-share in Lady Cooper, and I’ve leased a half-share in Zaindera.

Have you any horses to look forward to?

We’ve leased the former Aga Khan horse Zaindera, formerly trained by Michael Halford. She has some very good form and we could have great fun with her. She might win a maiden early enough and maybe a nice handicap at the Curragh. Also, watch out for Lady Cooper - she could win a maiden in the next few weeks at Dundalk. Kiss The Stars is the one I’m most looking forward to for 2015. She’s well-handicapped, and will go for a premier handicap.

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

Talk to a trainer like Tom McCourt, get involved in a syndicate, get a horse that’s ready to run, and enjoy every moment. Owning racehorses is not as expensive as you think.

Barry Doyle was in conversation with Joe Finegan.