How did you get into ownership?

My father Bernard always kept horses. I was brought up in Thurles and now live in Knocklofty.

When I was 14 he bought me a Roselier filly who we trained and raced and who came second in a bumper at Clonmel. We then sold her to Peter McCreery for a small profit.

What was your best day at the races and why?

March 8th, 2018, when Mary Frances won at my local track, Thurles, and all my family were there to enjoy it. And the fact that I had bred her myself.

What is the biggest drawback about being a racehorse owner?

The risk of injury to a horse is always a worry.

Which racecourse in Ireland treats owners the best and why?

Fairyhouse and Naas. Naas has the upper hand as the viewing facilities are excellent in the owners’ lounge.

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

Jump racing as I love breeding horses and watching them go on to race.

However, flat racing is less stressful.

What qualities do you look for in a trainer?

Facilities with a good hill gallop and someone who is easy to get on with and is approachable. Martin Hassett is my trainer.

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

Larger owner lounges. These lounges should be somewhere you can spend the day rather than a quick half-hour lunch.

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

Same as any other racegoer.

What significance do your colours hold?

None, no history, just easy to spot in the bunch.

When buying a horse, what do you look for?

A good pedigree that I can afford.

What horses do you currently have in training?

I have Mary Frances and a flat horse, Rattling Jewel.

What’s next on the agenda for your horses?

All going well Mary Frances heads to the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham on Thursday after qualifying at Punchestown. She’s got to have soft or heavy in the ground description so it’s 50/50 if she runs.

In one way I would prefer to keep her at home – she’s not a great traveler – but we’ll go over on Wednesday.

Who knows? She was only beaten a length and a half by likely favourite The Storyteller at Clonmel in December.

And she beat Colm Murphy’s mare Relegate last time out at Punchestown.

I get really nervous. When she won at Punchestown (February 19th) I had to turn my back and not look round.

Rattling Jewel is getting ready for the start of the flat.

Have you any horses to look forward to?

A three-year-old three-parts sister to Mary Frances by Well Chosen. She is being broken by Eoin McDonagh of Shanaville Stables at the moment.

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

An owner/trainer should have only one entry per handicap race to alleviate the need for horses to be balloted out.

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

Be prepared for the long haul. Success doesn’t come overnight.

John O’Mahony was in conversation with Olivia Hamilton.