How did you get into racehorse ownership?
I met Adrian Keatley through a friend about two years ago and that’s how I started in racing. I had no family background in the sport but I immediately clicked with Adrian.
What was your best day at the races and why?
When the The McGregornator won at the Curragh on April 3rd. It was a good run but it really surprised us. We knew he was capable of it and it was great to see. He had let us down once when left behind on his first race at the Curragh.
I’ve had six wins in two years with Adrian so I like that winning feeling.
What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?
Other people asking you for tips and about the betting on your horse – and then blaming you if it loses!
In your experience, which racecourse treats owners the best and why?
The Curragh is fantastic and Dundalk is pleasant and looks after families well. I have three boys with my wife Shirley.
Flat or jump racing, which do you prefer and why?
Flat only in our house. I follow Adrian.
What qualities do you look for in a trainer?
Honesty and someone who tells you how it is with your horses. And also something indefinable – a trainer who is excited to be working with horses and with owners. You need a strong trainer who understands that ownership must predominately be a business arrangement for most owners. I have learnt so much from Adrian and from first to last he has never let us down. Anything he told us has worked out. He’s texting us news and once a week we can all go to the yard and see our horses and enjoy them and hatch plans over a coffee.
What improvements would you like to see racecourses in Ireland do for owners?
I think there is general improvement on most courses. They are more aware of the paying customers.
How do you feel owners are treated when not having a winner?
Keep the special treatment for winning owners – there could be 20 lads in a losing syndicate.
What significance do your colours hold?
The horses race in Adrian Keatley’s colours.
When buying a horse, what do you look for?
We got The McGregornator at Goffs Sales for €7,500. He’s by Bushranger and caught Adrian’s eye as he was really a ball of muscle. He came up with the name because he was watching television one night and he heard Conor McGregor say: “You have the Terminator and now you have the McGregornator’’ and it made him laugh. He said to me, “he’s a nice horse and quite flashy, call him that.’’
That’s the style in which he won at the Curragh. He was able to stay going towards the end when the other horses faded.
What would help to make Irish racing more competitive for the smaller owner/trainer?
Put handcuffs on Aidan O’Brien! It’s very hard for the smaller trainer to win on the Curragh. The opposition have so much buying power. We might buy an animal for €12,000 one year and trade up next year to €25,000. That’s the way we operate, trading up – putting a bit aside if we sell well and then looking out for something to put in training with Adrian.
What horses do you currently have in training?
Anonymous Lady, Carraroe Flyer and Jingle Jangle
Have you any horses to look forward to? (i.e. young/unbroken horses)
Not yet. We had Athas An Bhean as a two-year-old last year but we sold her after she won at Cork.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a racehorse owner?
From experience don’t listen to Joe Public. Go to the yard and see the evidence of what’s going on. Adrian Keatley has put so much into his new yard with new investments and special facilities and plenty of lads riding out. There’s a great atmosphere there. Lady Ranger was the first horse we had with Adrian when he got his licence and we’ve never looked back.
Damien Shiels was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton
The Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) have secured agreement with the Association of Irish Racecourses for free admission to 107 race meetings in 2016 for owners who currently have a horse in training. AIRO wishes to express its appreciation to racecourses.
Details of the meetings are posted on www.irishracehorseowners.com