John Lenihan from Ballyogue Stud in Kilmacthomas, Waterford has two horses in training

How did you get into racehorse ownership?

I think I was bitten by the racing bug at a very young age, watching and following all the horses that the late Tom Costello would buy around Waterford, with the help of my late father. There was an endless stream of horses going through the yard for Tom and we would follow each one’s progress with great interest. Horses like Merry Gale, Derrymoyle, Zeta’s Lad etc, got me hooked on racing, breeding and pedigrees.

What was your best day at the races and why?

Leopardstown, February 7th 2010, Joncol won the Hennessy Gold Cup. Joncol was bred here at home, the first foal out of Finemar Lady. Finemar Lady was bought as a foal in Fairyhouse 1998 November Sale and was the last foal my father (also John) and I bought together before he died.

Joncol was owned by Mrs Kay Browne who with her husband Dan and family have been family friends for years. He was by Bob’s Return who stood near us in Kilbarry Stud with Con O’Keeffe. Paul Nolan trained and Alain Cawley rode, so put all that into the mix and we end up winning the biggest race on the Irish jumps calendar. It was one mighty day out!

Cheltenham, March 15th 2017, Special Tiara won the Queen Mother Champion Chase. He is owned by a great friend, (Sally Rowley-Williams) and trained by a great friend (Henry de Brpmhead). It doesn’t get much better than that even though I was at home watching on TV.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

Slow horses!

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

Fairyhouse – they give a great lunch before racing when you have a runner.

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

I love both. I have both flat and NH broodmares so it makes no difference. The flat is harder to compete in but the way National Hunt racing is going at the moment there isn’t much between them.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Horsemanship and talent.

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

Fairyhouse seem to have it nailed. It’s not easy for most tracks as attendance is generally poor except for big days or festivals so if the numbers are not coming in they can’t afford hospitality for owners. Most racecourses do the best they can and if you are lucky enough to have a winner you will get a drink afterwards.

Two years ago Lord Ben, owned by my parents-in-law, John and Joan Davis, won in Listowel at the festival. We were brought in for a drink after the race, John and Joan, my wife Gillian, my mother Breda, Henry de Bromhead and myself. We all ordered 7UP or water. The sponsors were the Listowel Vintners Association and when we ordered our drinks they said “ah jayus lads ye’re not much good to Listowel.’’ So it just shows you don’t need a big do all the time!

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

I learned a long time ago it’s all about the winner so hope and wait to win.

What significance do your colours hold?

Easy to see and not fussy.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

A good walk and pedigree on the damside. Get as much going for you at what you can afford.

What horses do you currently have in training?

Classic Theatre, homebred, by Kings Theatre out of Another Cliche. I bred the dam and still have the grandam, Finemar Lady, so she’s very important to me. Colm Browne owns her with me which is ideal as we are great friends all our lives. She’s trained by Henry de Bromhead who is brilliant. He gives the young horses plenty time which pays off in the longterm.

Fintara, bought at Tattersalls Ireland National Hunt August Sale in 2015, is by Kayf Tara out of Fine Fortune. Sally Rowley-Williams owns her with me and we are great friends too. She’s trained by Jessica Harrington who is indeed also brilliant.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

Classic Theatre will hopefully run in a bumper in about two to three weeks’ time. She was second first out to Awayinthewest and then fourth to Fayonagh in listed bumper in Fairyhouse so that form reads well.

Fintara will hopefully run in a mares’ maiden hurdle in the next few weeks. She won a bumper in Punchestown in January and was fourth in a maiden hurdle in Clonmel in February so she is doing well.

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

I have 10 mares here – eight owned and two outside mares.

The outside mares are owned by Sally Rowley-Williams and the other is owned by Ann and Alan Potts; both had a terrific Cheltenham!

There are a few nice filly foals born in the last three weeks or so; one by Flemensfirth out of Royal Choice, a Walk In The Park out of Another Cliche, a Poet’s Voice out of Zaaqya. There is also a nice Martaline colt foal. I have a few more mares to foal yet and a few nice young horses coming on. So plenty to be fed and looked after.

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

It’s not easy now but it was never easy. I never heard anyone say it was easy to breed, train or ride a winner so there is not much anyone can do to change that except keep doing the best you can.

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

A good friend of my father, George Coombe, who used buy a lot of horses in Ireland years ago, had a great saying: “No horse will ever go as fast as your money.’’ So be careful what you race!

John Lenihan 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.