How did you get into racehorse ownership?

In 1995 I got involved with some friends in a horse, Rock ‘n Roll Kid. He got injured and we drifted away as owners.

Then I had a point-to-point mare, Evesham Star, who won at Dungarvan in 2010 and was placed second and third. I gave her to Charles Byrnes and she won once on the track.

On our farm we always had a few horses along with the cattle.

What was your best day at the races and why?

Ballydunblaze has run 10 times and it’s great each time. But when she won her bumper on September 23rd last year it was a surprise. Gordon (Elliott) said she would be in the first four or five and she won by three and a half lengths! We weren’t expecting it so it made it even better.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

I can’t really see any drawbacks if you go into the game keeping to your budget. You must be ready for injuries in horses. Most owners experience more bad years than good ones.

We went to Galway with the mare and she was going really well when she tipped up three out.

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

Navan all the days we raced there treated us well with vouchers for dinner. Ballinrobe and Downpatrick also as well as Galway looked after us.

I was surprised at Listowel that we didn’t get any hospitality.

Treatment of owners has improved considerably – ideally we should have consistency in standards across all tracks.

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

Jumps – to see three-mile chasers racing at full tilt is hard to beat. I’ve been involved in jumps all my life.

I would watch the good and classic flat races but watching horses race over five-six furlongs doesn’t interest me.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

The lads I was with in the points had a mare with Gordon Elliott, that’s how I met him and also through Davy Russell whom I’m friendly with and has been very good to us.

He’s a good honest trainer with great facilities. But I believe in keeping away from the trainer, don’t annoy them. They’ll ring you if there are any problems.

The secretary there Alex (Hutter) sends me a text when we’re racing or if there are any updates.

I’ve been up there twice and, in fairness to Gordon, he gave me as much attention as any owner.

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

Things have definitely improved over the years. At Navan they gave us the video and brought us in for a drink, most courses do something like that.

A big improvement over the last seven to eight years has been the upgrading in mares’ races. And the prize money is good – it can be €7-9,000 even for an average race.

What significance do your colours hold?

Red and white are Cork colours. I’ve no interest in hurling or football but I still like to see those colours winning!

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

I would always look for a correct mare or young stock with an average pedigree for not big money. For me it’s conformation first – there’s no point in buying the pedigree if it’s not the right type.

I buy them as a three-year-old or as a foal.

At Fairyhouse last week I bought an unsold filly afterwards for €4,000, not big money. She’s a bay filly by Workforce out of a winning mare, Mise En Place. I liked her.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Ballydunblaze is out until next spring – she needs the good ground. I also have Ballydun Liss with Gordon Elliott, they are all called after a local townland. She hasn’t raced yet, hopefully out by Christmas.

I have a three-year-old Ballydun Glory who won’t be out til the spring with the Skeltons, Dan and Harry.

I have a friend who went to school with their father Nick and lives about 18 miles away.

He introduced me and I went over to the owners’ party last year in Warickshire, it was terrific.

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

I have two out of my points mare Evesham Star, a yearling colt by Dylan Thomas and a filly foal by Kingston Hill. There in my home place where it’s great to have them.

I keep about 150 calves which I sell on as stores – the horses fit in well.

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

If they could put on more races for the horses not good enough to win a bumper. Those horses of average talent who could win at their own level for owners.

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

Go into the game, only invest what you can afford to lose, be prepared for the bad days.

Go down to the yard and take an interest in the training of your horses but don’t go and annoy them every week!

John Lane was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton