How did you get into ownership?

Brian started in a couple of syndicates with the Irishman Ferdy Murphy (sadly no longer with us) in Yorkshire around 10 years ago and caught the bug. Since then, we have been lucky to be able to have our own horses with Nick Alexander who trains close to us in Perth, Scotland, with Nicky Richards and also with Denis Hogan in Co Tipperary.

What was your best day at the races? We were absolutely delighted to have a Galway Festival winner this year with Bua Boy fulfilling a longterm dream.

Katie picked Bua Boy from a field as her wedding present and we knew his dam (High Priestess) was a two-time Galway festival winner. The sellers Ger and Suzanne Hannon (at Ralahine Stud, Co Clare) are great friends of ours and Suzanne did a painting predicting Bua Boy’s Galway success and gave it to us when we got married in 2018. It’s just a pity we couldn’t be there in person. We’re actively planning for a runner or two at Galway 2021!

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

The cost. The prize money at the level our horses operate at can sometimes be a frustration and you can have a horse winning two or three times in a season and still not cover the costs.

Thankfully, Ireland seems ahead of the UK and we will certainly have more horses in training here.

Which racecourse in Ireland treats owners the best and why?

We are always looked after really well. We enjoy Punchestown and also we were over for the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown this season with three of our children and had a great day.

Everyone who comes racing to Ireland is struck by how knowledgeable and interested Irish people are in racing. Katie’s mum went over with her to Cork to see Bua Boy on debut last year and was struck by everyone she spoke to in the shops and bars and the taxi driver being genuinely interested and having a view on the day’s racing. It is fantastic.

Flat or jumps, which do you prefer?

Jumps always – all of our horses are National Hunt bred. Denis Hogan keeps telling us he could find us a decent one for the flat but we have resisted so far!

What do you look for in a trainer?

You have to have honesty in discussions with a trainer - a good trainer tells you how it is with your horse and not just what he thinks you want to hear.

Denis has been brilliant for us and clearly is a young trainer going places. We had no inkling he was going to retire from the saddle after Bua Boy’s win (at Galway) with a win in our colours.

We also jokingly told Denis when we were first introduced (via a mutual friend, Greg Walker who works for Betdaq in Ireland) that he was tasked with getting us a winner at Galway - no pressure! It’s brilliant and slightly surreal that he’s delivered on that for us already.

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

We think you’ve pretty much got it right in Ireland where everyone is so welcoming. Maybe be more inclusive for syndicates as it is important that efforts to widen horse ownership are encouraged.

How do you think the current crisis will impact on racing in general?

It’s inevitable that the current crisis is going to be followed by a financial downturn and with that there will be some reduction in ownership numbers. When owners are not currently allowed to go racing at all, you question what the benefits of ownership are.

If owners are to be excluded for the foreseeable short term, then HRI need to think carefully about the incentives to ownership. Where you have a runner at present, you have no means of watching the race live unless you put a bet on or subscribe to a pay-per-view racing channel. HRI needs to address that.

Significance of your colours?

Brian’s girls designed them. They are so bright they are never missed on course.

When buying what do you look for?

We buy Irish National Hunt-bred horses time after time as they have done well for us. We have always relied on professional bloodstock advice, although Katie picked Bua Boy herself and so might just have a talent there as he is a good horse and hopefully is still improving.

What horses do you currently have in training?

We have five at Nick Alexander’s in Kinross, Scotland, two with Denis Hogan and one with Nicky Richards in Penrith.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

Bua Boy might go to Listowel next month after his wins at Galway and Sligo and we might also consider going chasing with him before long. Yermanmilan, who is also with Denis has looked a bit weak in his runs, but is only four and should have a future when he grows and strengthens up. Most of the others will just be coming back in now, Benny’s Secret has won seven times for us now and is likely to be aimed at veterans’ chases this year. We are also looking forward to the return of our Irish-bred mare Final Reminder who has won three for us but had last season out through injury.

Have you any horses to look forward to?

We have a few unraced youngsters. We bought Let There Be Love at the Derby Sale in 2019 but he’s had a few setbacks. We’re excited to see him on the racetrack later this year for his debut.

Katie is also very excited about the prospects of Everyday Champagne who was Irish bought and should make his debut in the spring.

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

Definitely get involved as nothing beats the thrill of being a winning owner. And properly enjoy your winning days when they come as they make all the setbacks worthwhile.

Brian Castle was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton.