How did you get into racehorse ownership?

My father Jet was buying and selling horses all his life from farmers in Listowel. He had all sorts of jobs including supplying an abbatoir in France.

He also had a carriage business from the railway station. At the Listowel races in the ‘50s and ‘60s we would go up on a Sunday evening and collect the stable lads and all the buckets and hay and tack and I got to know a good few lads in the game that way.

I always loved horses.

We bought a broodmare, Findrum Lass, for €700, sent her to Black Minstrel and that produced Ozeycazey. He won a couple of points in 1995-96 and was placed in bumpers. Edwina Finn trained him first, and then Michael Hourigan.

What was your best day at the races and why?

I’ve had lots and lots of good days at Listowel here and other places and been in some good syndicates. I’ve had lots of bad days too!

Mysilverriverfeale, called after the beautiful Listowel river, got to the Cheltenham bumper in 1999.

I was also involved in the Morning Dew Racing Club and we had some good days with different horses. Rockstown Boy, trained by Charles Byrnes, was a good one, winning six times.

For small money I’ve had great times and good wins.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

The cost of entries. It takes a lot of money to bring a horse to track.

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

They could do better.

It’s a pity but the fun had gone out of racing – there used to be a lot more characters in the game – like life I suppose.

But at Listowel here we still get the crowds – the only bad day this year was the Monday and that was because of the rain. But they all stayed in the bars and shops and restaurants so it was good for the town anyway.

I had a bit of craic on the TV with Rishi Persad who did a programme about Listowel. I couldn’t repeat half the stories but I told him about the comradeship down here in the town and how everyone gets together for the races and 50 years of great memories.

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

Basically National Hunt but I’ve been lucky on the flat. Youceeyouceecee couldn’t jump a bale of straw and has won five times. You have a better chance of getting a return on your money.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Honesty – Susan (Finn) is a saint. From a limited outlay she produces winners and from very few runners. She knows exactly how to place them and when to run them. She is a born horsewoman and was leading lady rider.

(Susan Finn rode as an amateur and as a professional.)

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

Give a voucher for a bit to eat to owners – make them feel a bit special. We’re not all multi-millionaires. We’re in it for the fun, not for the money and anything to make owners more appreciated is welcome.

What significance do your colours hold?

The colours are to represent the River Feale with that sky blue/green, like a river and then the yellow going through them.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

Take advice from someone with the knowledge. Susan’s husband Thadgie Ryan, who has managed football teams to championship titles in both Cork and Limerick, buys and sells for the breeze-ups. They race what they don’t sell.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Youceeyouceecee and a two-year-old colt by Bated Breath, Rememberthetitans.

James Collins, former jockey, has a share in Youceeyouceecee.

Why that name – well youceeyouceecee – are you that thick?

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

Youceeyouceecee ran in the Guinness Handicap on the Friday of Listowel (fifth) but the ground was dead on the day, Billy Lee said.

His previous run at Roscommon, when he won, was beautiful ground even though we thought it was too quick for him. Susan is hoping to get him a run at Limerick in October – she says we’ll run him everywhere we can find a race.

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

Rememberthetitans could be out soon, maybe at Naas on Sunday week or soon after. He’s a lovely gentle giant.

What would help to make Irish racing more competitive for the smaller owner/trainer?

Have more races for horses rated below 90. Have more lowly rated races with horses who are often owned by syndicates or partnerships. Many trainers only have about 15 horses and the programme could be improved for them.

It’s a labour of love but you can’t survive like that.

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

Pick your trainer well and have five or six people in your syndicate. With big syndicates there’s too much pressure – a trainer can’t talk to a whole gang of people all wanting to be in on the act. Get one or two to be spokesperson and they can inform the others.

Do not expect to win each time and then you won’t be disappointed!

Eamon O’Carroll was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton