How did you get into racehorse ownership?

I grew up with horses and have a yard with homebred sport thorses and sports ponies. I took over the mare Elli Pyrelli from my mother who was breeding thoroughbreds. Elli Pyrelli lost a four-day-old foal and did not go in foal again that season. Because of that and a few other losses she lost her commercial value to my mother.

After a year of rest and lots of TLC we put her to Great Exhibition whom I thought was one of the most beautiful thoroughbred stallions around. He was a full-brother to Elusive Quality and was bought by Sheikh Mohammed for $1.8 million as a yearling. He was injured early in his career and retired to stud but never had time to hit big.

We were so pleased with Excelli or Wibbley Wobbley Wonder as my daughter named him. With bloodlines going back to Secretariat and a very reasonable cover fee we went back to him again two years later but sadly, Great Exhibition died of colic in the in the midst of it! We had to use another stallion available quickly which was Le Cadre Noir.

That offspring is now four and is also in training with Aidan Howard and he is keeping us curious.

What was your best day at the races and why?

The January night in Dundalk when he won his third race. It was the first time I saw him win live. It is a six-hour round trip to Dundalk.

My heart told me to go. I brought two of my children and our au pair girl whom had never seen racing. I smiled all the way there because I felt he would win! The jockey’s (Michael Hussey) first comment afterwards was: “That was just too easy!” Obviously, it was a very well worth round trip!

His first win was in Sligo when he was trained by my second cousin Maria Richert. I am sure my husband’s best day was two weeks later when he and our daughter witnessed his fourth win. Paying the bills finally became worth it!

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

It’s expensive to keep horses in training. It does’nt really matter what discipline you are training in. That is the fact of horse business.

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

I don’t have experience of being an owner on many courses but I was very impressed by Sligo where they gave a complimentary winner’s photo. It’s a very nice touch. The trophy, which was a ceramic plate by an artist was lovely - something for other courses to consider and support local artists in the process. I really enjoy Dundalk’s evening racing. The dark surrounding gives a magic feel. A hostess was chasing me down to hand me a bottle champagne when we were there for his win. That was such fun and a nice personal touch.

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

It is hard to say. After a childhood memory witnessing the Grand National where if I remember right 39 started, nine finished and one horse died I never really took to jumps racing. I mostly worry about the jockey and horses when I watch rather than enjoying it. But Excelli jumps really well too and the plan was to start jump racing but since he has done so well on the flat lately it seemed silly to risk it at the moment. I am totally `soppy’ about all my horses and don’t want anything to happen to them. We will see what the future holds.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Apart from the qualities I would like to take for granted such as honesty and knowledge, I would absolutely look for somebody who is interested in the horse as an individual and the psychology therefore. It is all about psychology! Sadly it is too common, no matter what training discipline, that horses are expected to behave and perform like machines. I grew up with breeding, starting and training horses of all disciplines and it is the same all round. Horses are individuals who need different attention AND a lot of space. I don’t believe in confinement compensated by time in and soul (and if badly designed leg) destroying walkers.

Another trainer once told me I need a horse walker. I pointed at one of our huge fields and said that “that’s my walker’’. All our horses grew up outside and live together outside as much as possible. They walk for hours per day just nibbling around. One condition for my trainer of any discipline would be to let our horses out at their “off work” time. Maria agreed and recommended Excelli’s current trainer Aidan Howard who took up my suggestions for what Excelli prefers.

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

I would love some kind of breeders’ premiums. I would suggest the same goes for the sport horse world as well. Look into what is being done in France for example. Currently everybody gets an acknowledgement for their contribution but the breeder gets nothing. I think the breeders should always be “in the money” too.

What significance do your colours hold?

They are the Swedish colours.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

I haven’t bought a horse yet. I have only bought ponies. My horses are all homebred and my mother bred my late sport horse mare. If I were buying a horse I would put huge emphasis on where the horse was bred and how it has been handled and eventually started, assuming of course that it is healthy and correct. One look in the eyes says a lot.

I have been disappointed so many times by the poor horsemanship displayed by supposed professionals. Even such and such from here and there has failed to impress me. An international show jumper once said to me that he would only buy horses directly from the breeder. I often think that statement is valid.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Excelli as well as his four-year old half-brother Cadrelli by Le Cadre Noir. I secretly believe he too will win one day.

What’s next on the agenda for your horse?

Excelli will run in the Lincolnshire at the Curragh on Sunday. It is a big ask but I will talk to him. Really, I am not cut out for racing. It is just too nerve wrecking and I also scream too loudly my children complain.

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

As I mentioned some kind of monetary reward for breeders which may encourage them to keep their horses and put them in training. Clamping down on race fixing would benefit everybody. I can’t say I am well read up on it but my feeling is that Ireland is a bit slacker in that regard compared to Britain. Maybe also add more categorised races. It’s like business in general. The big owners/trainers are getting more out of it because of numbers not necessarily always because of hugely greater talent.

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

Prepare to be poor! No, that was a bit too negative. Do it for the love of horses and believe.

Olivia Hamilton was in conversation with Ebba Pate

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