How did you get into ownership?

We caught the bug via one of SoftCo’s senior managers, Killian McCarthy, who is married to Jennifer Walsh, of the Walsh racing dynasty, and he has participated in the Corinthian Challenge on a number of occasions for the Irish Injured Jockeys fund. I own horses under the name Manverton Ltd with my sister Susan Spence.

What was your best day at the races?

The best day was definitely during the February 2019 Dublin Racing Festival when Quamino won in a fantastically close finish in the Goffs Handicap Chase.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Injuries. Regretfully, it’s part of the sport and a horse can be unlucky and never reach its full potential.

Which racecourse in Ireland treats owners the best?

There are a number of larger tracks such as Naas, Leopardstown and Fairyhouse, that provide an ever-improving service and smaller tracks such as Tramore make a big effort despite limited budgets. Thankfully, we have been in the owners’ celebration room a few times in Tramore over the last couple of years.

Flat or jump racing, which do you prefer?

Jump racing. No contest. Much more excitement.

What do you look for in a trainer?

We have been associated with Paul and James Nolan for over 10 years and all our horses are in their yard. You look for a team that gets the very best out of the horse and the lads and all the staff in Toberona have done a brilliant job.

What improvements could courses do?

Better parking and dedicated owner facilities. We all know the costs that are involved in owning horses so hopefully the momentum for improvements continues.

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

I’m not really thinking about the course. I am normally trying to console James Nolan or answer my 12-year-old daughter Charlotte’s cross-examination on what went wrong!

What significance do your colours hold?

Purple is the favourite colour of my wife Anne and daughter Charlotte.

What do you look for buying a horse?

We completely depend on experts. The knowledge that Paul and James Nolan as well as Gerry Hogan provide, is essential for our investments.

What horses do you currently have in training?

We have 10 horses in training including Peculiar Genius, Quamino, Roney, Denham Hana, Fortune Street, Cresus De Grissay (who won this year in Down Royal), Crazyheart (owned with the Browne family, who won twice this year – Tramore and Wexford), Sardinia (our first winner who is now back in training).

The other horses in training are four-year-olds who may run soon.

What’s next for your horses?

As we come towards the end of the season, the plan is dependent on the ground and injuries. A couple of the horses such as Cresus De Grissay have picked up knocks and are heading for summer grass while others such as Quamino look to be heading to Fairyhouse or Punchestown.

Although we tend to be extremely patient, we also may see some of the young horses have their first outing.

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

We have some nice young horses and also a broodmare. Her first offspring will be running in the coming weeks which is exciting. Susan Spence is calling her after her favourite footballer, James Milner.

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

The current debate is the domination of a number of owners and trainers. Rather than limit any investment into the industry, we believe it would be better to broaden the prize money spread and put more funds into races with smaller owners and trainers further down the card.

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

Do it as hobby, be patient and enjoy the good days.

Jim Coffey was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton