How did you get into ownership?

By default! We have three flat-bred broodmares at home and usually sell their progeny as foals or yearlings. While it is generally working out well, unfortunately they don’t all make as much as you think they should at the sales and this fellow fell into that category.

So with some encouraging words from people such as Joe Foley of Ballyhane we decided to go racing.

It is only our third horse to put in training so lots to learn still. I’m sure it makes winning all the more special when you have seen the horse develop from birth all the way to the racetrack. And every winner is a help to the pedigrees of horses at home too.

What was your best day at the races?

Aa an owner the best day was at Punchestown on January 15th with Instant Return when he won a maiden hurdle over two miles for four-year olds. We had been placed on the previous five occasions, beaten by some good horses – Aspire Tower, Cerebrus, Wolf Prince and the like – so we were keeping faith in our lad and were hoping to go close.

There was a good crowd of us there, friends and relatives and we all cheered him home. Very memorable! A day that will be talked about for a while still.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Any drawbacks are far outweighed by the fun when you have a winner! With Instant Return the hardest thing was probably to remain patient. He didn’t do what we initially planned for him. He is by Elzaam out of an Ad Valorem mare so on breeding it was probably a legitimate expectation to expect him to be at his best over a mile on the flat as a two or three-year-old. The horse himself had different ideas and hadn’t read his own catalogue page obviously!

We tried him on the flat a few times first but it wasn’t working out. But after good advice from Shane Foley and Jessica (Harrington) we stuck at it, albeit with a change to running over hurdles with Paddy Kennedy on board.

Which racecourse in Ireland treats owners the best and why?

We have only been at seven tracks with this fellow yet. Of course when you win you anticipate that you might be well treated and we were at Punchestown. With photo sessions, presentations, champagne for all, we were made to feel very important. Fairyhouse was great too – especially for food!

I hadn’t been to Limerick Racecourse before and thought it was a really lovely intimate setting when we ran there on St Stephen’s Day, and of course there was a great buzz when Faugheen won on the day. In Listowel it was ladies day with lots of style. It was a bonus that we were getting placed every time.

Flat or jump racing which do you prefer and why?

I would have to say flat racing as all our broodmares are flat-bred. So I enjoy the pedigree side of things more. It’s a shorter lead-in time until your horses appear at the track – less patience required. My answer is not as clear-cut as it once was as we’ve had some great fun with Instant Return over the hurdles although it’s a bit harder on the heart watching him jump!

What do you look for in a trainer?

First you have to believe that they are very good at what they do with your horse. Their ability to read what is right for each horse, the actual training, race planning, placing, etc. Ideally someone who is experienced, has integrity and will give an honest assessment of the horse’s ability. Good communication is very important.

And it definitely adds to the raceday experience if someone has the sense of fun and charisma that Jessica Harrington has. For me the Commonstown team tick all the boxes.

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

An even bigger choice of desserts, maybe Black Forest gateau!

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

We felt well treated everywhere we went. No complaints.

What significance do your colours hold?

The colours were just picked from a selection of old ones that they had at Commonstown back when we had our last horse in training a few years ago. She was called Cloneylass and won too so we didn’t want to change our luck! Thankfully the colours were still available when we applied to get them.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

Any horse I have raced so far has been homebred. The dam of Instant Return is Instant Memories, bought as a maiden mare by my dad, Martin, at Goffs. She had a bit of an unfashionable pedigree but was a nice mover. This was her second foal.

She has been very lucky with five foals to date all by Elzaam and all colts.

In general as well as the usual good mover, being correct, being bred off good land, I do like a horse to have a good deep whinny!

What horses do you currently have in training?

Instant Return is the only one currrently. Of course you always feel that you still have a little share in the ones you bred and subsequently sold. Some of these include a two-year old full-brother to Instant Return who has been broken recently at Joseph O’Brien’s owned by Middleham Park Racing and Vincy, another full-brother, who won twice for Mick Halford (Dundalk and the Curragh) before being sold to run in Hong Kong.

Others include Decision Maker who won at Southwell a few times already this year and a three-year-old called Elegant Erin (by Dandy Man) at Richard Hannon’s who won at Sailsbury and is owned by the same owners as Billesdon Brook.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

More wins I hope. He had a short break after his maiden hurdle win, some rest and relaxation, but next on the agenda will be a step-up in trip. He seems to stay very well despite his pedigree, probably did well to win over the two-mile trip and he is only four so there should be lots more good times with him.

We are fond of Paddy Kennedy as a jockey, they seem to get on well together so hopefully he will stay on board. Maybe back to Punchestown for more spoils!

Of course if we get a good offer he’s for sale too – contact Commonstown!

Have you any horses to look forward to? (i.e young/unbroken horses?)

I have two yearling colts at home. One is a full-brother to Instant Return by Elzaam, a really nice type with good bone and movement, and a Dragon Pulse colt out of a Fast Company mare. Both have done well over the winter and the plan at this stage is to go to sales in the autumn, but you never know they might get “Instantly Returned” home too! We have three foals due over the next few weeks so always more coming on line to look forward to – two Dandy Mans and another Elzaam.

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

Racing horses and life in general has ups and downs that you don’t always expect. Call the challenging days learning days and the good days fun, and roll with both.

Brian Miller was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton.